This is such an emotive subject I think some pilots have a tendency to get confused over perceived and actual risk. In particular the difference in risk between plan A and plan B may not be significant enough to make a great deal of difference to the outcome should the donkey stop. EG although flying at 9000’ over a 50 mile water crossing will give more options than flying at 5000’ the difference may not be significant enough to make a difference to the outcome, however flying at 9000’ over water may be significantly safer than flying at 9000’ for 50 miles over 5000’ mountains.