kevmor wrote:
So even though you're flying an appropriate altitude for the course
flown, theres no guarantee that when climbing/descending you won't hit
someone else doing the same?

Yep, big sky.

There actually has been an FAA enforcment action that says that
climb/descend in uncontrolled airspace without a clearance for
obtained for the part in controlled airspace is reckless and
dangerous. Essentially they figure that while ATC is not
excercising control in the uncontrolled area, the idea that the
"one at a time" rule in the transition area would protect you.