"In weather like this, I'd be inclined to think the same, personally. I certainly can't blame anyone for preferring their privacy, but even so, there's no denying that it's entirely possible that the passage between the two villages could become impassible under the current conditions."

And that's not even considering the possibility of cave-ins or avalanches. Still, if someone should happen to think that the comparative solitude makes up for the possibility of being quite literally shut off from most of the rest of the people currently present, he figures that he can hardly stop them. He might not entirely approve, but neither is he any sort of position to suggest that it might be more beneficial to not be in a position that could be easily cut off from the most of community. And especially not when there have been times that he's preferred to have some measure of solitude besides.

Or at least, as much of one as one can get on a starship like the Enterprise.