I think this is a bit overstated.
We're all entitled to our opinion and in many ways I usually agree with you
- but if I may, I must disagree here. Simply put, I think you're reading too much into what I'm communicating.
Something bad can and sometime does happen climbing or mountaineering. It's not as if the likes of Messner, Chouinard, Fletcher, Townsend and Jardine were out there wondering around and ill equipped to deal with the badness just because they weren't carrying a fixed blade knife.
I'm not well-read on all of their collective adventures, but I suspect Reinhold (my personal mountaineering "hero"), Yvon, Ray or Marc (of Marc "Doctor Doom" Twight fame) and if we're name dropping, nor would have Alex (of Alex Lowe fame) nor Conrad Anker, Steve House, Lou Whittaker, Jon Krakauer et al would have carried a knife for their alpine play. Maybe some of the folks in late 19th though even as late as the mid-twentieth century would have, but i'm not that well-read to know. In any event, these folks were/are world-class athletes and a night out above tree-line without fire was simply part of the play and usually well within their physical capacity to survive.
For most of the rest of world (at least in the US) who backpack/camp/climb for leisure (aka not required as it is a normal part of their life nor part of their job), fire-making, minimal food prep and the occasional "problem solving" is most usually (best?) achieved with a proper tool and usually a knife fits in there somewhere. In fact, iirc, Colin Fletcher included in his book on backpacking (Walking or something similar....) the 10 Essentials among which is included a simple SAK or similar. While many average folks *can* survive a night or two out, it will leave an indelible mark on them. In my experience, a folding knife requires a little more of my attention to ensure it doesn't fold back onto my fingers - even locking knives. Even my outstanding CS American Lawman keeps some of my attention.... A fixed blade allows me the extra comfort of not worrying about that....
As humans, we all depend on tools of some sort to live. Our ability to actually adapt to conditions outside of our comfort range is meager for any longer duration of time - dependent, of course, on how far from "normal" the conditions are, the individual's physical/mental condition, overall health, etc ad nauseam.
And nothing wrong with depending on a stove or a tent or a good parka or mittens any more than it is to depend on a good knife. It's all equipment.
Again, i wholly agree. However, I didn't make a judgement about depending strictly on gear (tent/stove/parka/mittens - even knives!), rather my insinuation is that uninformed dependency is ill advised. If you've done any mountaineering, you already know than an 'unplanned bivy' is nearly inevitable over the course of time and nearly always unpleasant.
One thing that may be at play here is the assumption of the availability of wood. Above treeline, that's not an option. In terms of trip planning for destinations in the lower 48 where significant amounts of human traffic can be assumed, daily harvesting of wood for shelter and fire isn't a realistic option either. Once you've made the commitment to carrying stoves and tents, which includes the ability to maintain and fix them in bad situations, it's not at all wrong to rely on them.
Really, really want to emphasize that I don't think carrying a fixed blade is a bad thing in any way. I should note that a nice old Schrade H-15 with a 5" blade has worked it's way into my "essentials" bag. But that's because I really dig old Schrades and don't mind the extra weight just for the grins. But needed for safe winter winter travel? Not so much, imo.
Last thing to say... on this. As much as I dig fixed blades for the fun of it, mine ends up riding in my pack. I don't want one danging off my neck and belt carry is out of the question when carrying a pack. That's one reason I prefer a nice light locking folder. That can ride in pants/short pocket all the time. Never off my person that way.
All good stuff. Interesting the different POVs we bring to it.
I enjoy your 'take' on things Pinnah! It's good we don't agree on everything - at 47 i still have much to learn...
Jenner515 - i hope you have a great 5-dayer!!! I'm glad to read you are planning to bring along a fixed-blade. If you make a fire while you're out I'm sure, as you already know, it will indeed prove itself very useful. As an aside, I used my Leatherman Wave to re-construct a broken tent pole once on a solo hike. So for me, something with pliers is invaluable and i'm glad to see you're at least bringing along something that can "grip" - even if you will have to be very creative to accomplish that type of use. You never know when a snowshoe binding may unexpectedly "pop" or a hiking pole may become stuck at an undesirable length....
