Mr. Moon: I have been lucky for being able to visit the Mont Blanc area numerous times during my life. If we think that you are aiming at climbing up those glaciers which have seracs (icefalls), crevasses (cracks in ice) and other hazards, yes I concur with you to take a lower AR kite, and compromise the performance, to gain on at least some safety. A human being in this particular environment is unsafe enough even without any kite.
Making a comment on your experience with Chrono V1......this type of kites take some time for the kiter to become familiar with the kites performance envelope, as well as limitations. If there is no vaste experience of High AR race kites before, I would dare to argue that on first encounter this understanding and "butt-feeling" takes rather a few days/weeks to build up rather than a few hours.
Of course it is possible to fly it out of the box, but to have deeper understanding in all behaviour, and right ways to control the kite, BEFORE any tip curls etc., this takes time. An experienced kiter knows when the kite is approaching a possible tip curl situation, and acts before it even happens.
Interested to hear a comment on my approach. Anyone?
Janne