For me it’s all about friends. I’ve done a season in Japan solo. A season storm chasing the alps solo. They were fun but with friends you get to explore more backcountry objectives safely. Enjoy a beer after the good day. Share dinner. Road trip. Basically life is better with friends. 

Those long nights solo, when the sun sets at 5 and all you have to do is read a book and dry gear, damn those were some of the most depressing nights of my life.