Thanks for all the replies so far, lots of good experience here. Keep them coming!
I should have been more clear. My question is about the risk of equipment failure and how to mitigate that risk. In most groups we are more likely to have enough excess equipment (sit pads, packs, tents, extra layers, etc.) that if one member has a major failure (e.g., hammock tear wide open), it would be much easier to cobble together either a repair or backup ground insulation from the group's gear than if one were hiking solo. Maybe a more proper way to say it would be that in a group, you have access to more gear to mitigate the risk.
Well, you know all the sayings..."better to have and not need than to need and not have", "it only takes once", "be prepared", etc. I know my buddy wished he had a pad when his hammock split open because his glasses fell out of his ridgeline organizer in the middle of the night, got under him, and caused his hammock to split and drop him on the ground! Luckily it was not a cold weather trip, so he was just really uncomfortable the rest of the night and not freezing!
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