Steve,
I will second this bit of stupidity X 2. About 8-9 years ago, I when I was a winter noob...with some experience. I attempted to glissade the final 150' or so to Angeles Crest Highway from Mt. Baden-Powell utilizing my trekking poles as a break and wearing my semi-new Grivel G10s. Long story short, I tumbled, my leg folded up under me ripping a long "L" tear in my Gore-Tex pants and severely spraining my ankle.
I look at Bob's pictures knowing that could have been me. I was very lucky. Not long afterward, I purchased an axe and spent a day on the slopes with a Sierra Mountain Center guide learning how to use the damn thing.
After that day, I still spent a lot of time on the bunny slopes...trails with little climbing working my way up to bigger and more fun things.
Every year I am amazed at folks who want to rent a pair of crampons and an axe and take on the Trail Camp/Trail Crest chute with zero experience.
