Ski touring in Europe I've never seen anyone rope up on the ascent or descent; crevasse falls are relatively few. Of course glacial touring routes see substantially more traffic than the US so there's both more regular testing of snow bridges and more people to drag your ass out (not to mention a rescue chopper a cellphone call a way).
The answer would be "it depends" on the route, the party and the conditions.
If you are looking for something with a spiritual component, get higher (in latitude). Patagonia (not the overpopulated dumps of Paine and Fitzroy) has plenty of spiritual places left.
Yes. He's also the one who was almost killed in a car accident at age 6.
A funny article on the Prius. apparently it's limited to 103mph.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prius6jul06,0,5964953.story?coll=la-home-center
3 - 36" MSR Pickets. $12/ea
1 - 24" MSR Picket $10
1 - 18" MSR Picket $10
5 - MSR Flukes $12/ea
currently located in San Jose area, will be in Seattle by mid Month