You can psycho-analyse all you wish, but I suspect at the end of the day we will find he was in the wrong valley and cumulo-granitus outclimbed the aircraft. He certainly is not the first, and nor will he be the last, but I don't think we need to waste too much time worrying about 'opportunities for learning'.
The 'Opportunities for learning' are obvious. The lesson is simple and clear - know where you are, and if you are not sure, get the **** out of there. Try not to fly to many bystanders into the hill with you.