How do you know if your ski tour is stupid?

Most people go backcountry skiing to get good turns. They take the easiest way up familiar slopes, then ski the best snow sections back down to the car...no energy wasted.

So, what if you've never been there before, you just drew a likely-looking line on the map, then tromped out to see if it really goes? How about if you know the snow is awful & you go out anyway?

Or worse, what if you deliberately ignore the good snow in order to complete an interesting traverse or peak ascent? And if you end up miles away from where you started with a big, complicated shuttle to do?

What if we have to carry [& use] ice ax & crampons, then thrash down through alder, skin up manzanita & Beth has to climb a tree?

Well, that would be stupid, wouldn't it? :)