PSA: Glissading Safety

[SchralpTheGnar]

Direct action slides are the primary risk after a new , late season snow, danger usually goes away after 48 hours or if it slides, I’ve had good luck managing those slopes with ski cuts, leaves a nice, albeit firm groomer to ski down.

[teamdonkey]

I'm planning on Castle and Conundrum this weekend. Haven't Glissaded before, but was thinking about bringing the ice axe and trying it out coming down from Conundrum. My impression was that was a fairly safe spot... yes? no?

[LetsGoMets]

I'm planning on Castle and Conundrum this weekend. Haven't Glissaded before, but was thinking about bringing the ice axe and trying it out coming down from Conundrum. My impression was that was a fairly safe spot... yes? no?

Are you educated on how to self arrest and knowledge of the axe parts/usage in general? That area is a steep and fast, so being able to self-arrest is a must IMO. A few weeks ago it was continuous, fast snow, and I self arrested twice on the glissade to slow down. If it has rocks now, it can be even more dangerous.

[teamdonkey]

I'm "internet educated", which means I've watched a few youtube videos a few times. I'd like to turn that into practical experience at some point and thought this would be a good spot. Maybe not!

Is getting down this section without glissading reasonable, and if not what's a better route?

[Chicago Transplant]

I'm "internet educated", which means I've watched a few youtube videos a few times. I'd like to turn that into practical experience at some point and thought this would be a good spot. Maybe not!

Is getting down this section without glissading reasonable, and if not what's a better route?

(bold in the quote above by me) Last year when that slope was half melted/half loose nasty scree I reclimbed Castle and went down the NE ridge. Watching people from across the basin kicking rocks down it I was happy with my choice!

[TaylorHolt]

I'm "internet educated", which means I've watched a few youtube videos a few times. I'd like to turn that into practical experience at some point and thought this would be a good spot. Maybe not!

Is getting down this section without glissading reasonable, and if not what's a better route?

(bold in the quote above by me) Last year when that slope was half melted/half loose nasty scree I reclimbed Castle and went down the NE ridge. Watching people from across the basin kicking rocks down it I was happy with my choice!

Yeah, unless the snow is continuous and you know how to glissade, the best option is to resummit Castle.

[Bale]

I learned to climb mountains from folks in the Wasatch who consider glissading an integral part of mountaineering. They even had a yearly event called P.I.G. (Pfeifferhorn Including Glissade). In May, a standard item in our packs were old snow pants. It can be a fun time saver on occasion.
The OP nailed it, when in doubt, just walk. Obviously ski ‘em if you got ‘em.

[Boggy B]

After burning (literally) through my 4th pair of light alpine pants, I bought a yard of 1000D Cordura on Etsy, and my wife sewed a new armored seat onto the ripped bottoms.
1000D Cordura is extremely tough and my wife's handiwork is true. This pant's second life has far outlasted its first and has stood up to some crotch-blistering glissades.

If the snow is firm enough that I'm not comfortable leaving my crampons on, then it's probably not going to be a fun glissade.
If the snow is good for glissading (soft at least a few inches down), then a trekking pole works fine.
If I insist on glissading neve, it doesn't really matter if I know how to self-arrest because I'm going to lose my axe the second the pick catches.

Skiing seems dangerous.

[Jorts]

Skiing seems dangerous.

I feel much safer skiing down a 45 degree slope than glissading down one. 4 metal edges > a pick

And you don't get soaked and/or ruin your pants.

[Jorts]

Off-Topic question but what are the main hazards associated with late season snowfall that doesn’t melt out same day? I.E climbing couloirs, glissading, traversing ridges with packed snow, and anything else. Here’s the snow report from last night. Obviously the avalanche website closes shop for summertime.

Spring storm avy hazard - slides on the interface between new and old snow. Late spring you shouldn't have to worry about them 95% of the time. The 5% being greater than 8", cohesive and/or unbonded to the interface.