Alpine hiking is a strenuous (by today's standards) and hazardous activity that requires some preparation, is done in relative isolation, demands collaboration from partners, and must be seen-through once started.

It's also sometimes confused by the initiated but perky partners with merely taking a long walk.

These features add-up to a test that may break any relationship.

When the discomfort of the exertion is regarded alongside the common tendencies of co-dependency which attend couples, such as dominance and submission, domestic friction, control issues, boundary issues, resentments, and neuroses are mixed with physical stress disorientation, fatigue, exposure and/or confusion/fear/anger, the challenge might become mortal for the relationship.

The risk is attenuated by couple's typical tendencies towards group-think: over-familiarity and dismissiveness, co-joined planning and reactions, emotionalism, unresolved bones of contention and/or sequestered stresses/alienations that distort a merely risky situation into a life-threatening one.

In more basic terms, undertaking an unguided travel challenge with a mate will lead to trenchant discovery of one's interpersonal limits, and this may include a relationship apocalypse. Such activities are a good test between amorous partners who are considered marriage: if you get along well during an ordeal, you may have what it takes to make a life together. If you don't get along through an ordeal, that's good to know early so you don't overcommit.