Characteristics of Risk Perception (Caution, Awareness) and Response of Trekkers to Mountaineering Incidents in the Northern Japanese Alps

Abstract

Trekkers’ awareness and response to mountaineering risk have been shown to affect the probability and severity of accidents. Ultimately aiming at improving measures against accidents, this study examined trekkers’ degree of caution, information acquisition before trekking, and risk awareness (including difficulty to predict), as well as their ability to predict and avoid risk. The analysis showed statistically significant relations between the degree of caution and personal attributes; a higher degree of caution was linked to a tendency to acquire information before trekking which, in turn, increased awareness of potential risks. The results confirmed variations in risk predictability and avoidance due to differences in degree of their caution, emphasizing the necessity of examining the relationship between risk avoidant behavior and risk predictability and avoidance.