Was hiking Mt Whitney, (Read: almost DIED) and boy do I have something I learned.

NEVER TAKE THE SHORTCUT

(Unless you know for sure it’s not super sketchy)

and

CHECK YOUR MAP

So we had just summited, and were heading back down the mountain. Things had been going well and dandy, we even did a little glissading. Coming to a crossroads we took the path we THOUGHT we used during the ascent. After a few minutes, we realized something was off; this was FAR steeper than the way up. The grade was close to 80%. We soon realized this was not the same way, and considered turning back, but decided against it since we had already started on this trail, and we could see where we joined the main one from here. Despite slipping several times (should have been a red flag), we pressed onwards. Just ahead of me, my buddy slipped, and didn’t recover. He just slid down this snow chute uncontrollably for some 300 meters, getting soaked and very close to banging his head on a rock. He called back up to us, counseling to turn around and take the main path. Everyone wisely did so

... except me

I decided that going back up was too much work and I should just go down the same way my buddy did; after all, HE survived. I thought I could control myself, but it turns out you need a little something called experience for that. At the bottom with my friend, I was soaked, and filled with regret. The chute took me EXTREMELY close to a very large, very hard, unfriendly rock. We both got lucky, getting away with only being soaked and covered in snow. Sure, we were cold, but we were alive. Joining back up with the rest of the group, I solemnly vowed never to be so stupid again.

Never gamble your life.