Are you asking about the flat bar version or the rare drop bar ones?
I used the flat bar HS11s on a Raven Tour for a while before changing to carbide rim.
They're a pain to set up but once on easy to adjust, they self centre and you adjust the clearance from the lever.
The pipework is strong and the fittings secure, I suppose it is possible they could get damaged in transit, but so could any part of the bike. I don't fly but can't see why they would cause a problem. Magura guarantee against leaks for 5 years.
They shouldn't require any on the road maintenance, a short bit of pipe, a couple of fittings and 25ml of fluid would be worth carrying if you're off somewhere exotic. The parts would be harder to find if you had a complete failure, you could always put a V brake back on. They have a reputation for fragile levers, I didn't have a problem.
Never used them on an Alpine decent, they shouldn't be any more of a problem than other rim brakes. In the dry they're only marginally better than well set up Vs, just require less effort. In the wet they're considerably better, they still need to clear the water of the rims, but do this quicker.
If you can, use the brake booster, especially on the front, not only does it improve braking, it'll stop you being frightened by the amount your forks flex.
When I had them on I wore out the front rim in record time. This may be a coincidence, I'd changed my commute and it was a wet summer. It was a good excuse to try a carbide rim which gives better braking with normal V's.
