No kidding, the switchbacks are not the safest way when they are in the condition of Richard P's picture.
The people here who offer advice predicate it on what is the safest way to travel up and down this mountain. I've been playing the winter in to varying degrees since 1998, seriously since about 2005. I know what is safe and what isn't. Personally, I would not to across the outside of the cables, with or without gear. It's not worth the risk, as far as I'm concerned.
As I've said here before, 99% of the time people will not have problems on the ice/slush in the chute either up or down. However, when there is a mistake, the chances are it will be catastrophic because they do not know how to arrest, belay or recognize dangerous conditions.
