: Chip I have always glissaded on my feet, is the
: butt method a northwest thing?

... that's a loaded question... I think the French must have invented it

Believe me, for these slopes you might as well start on you butt because that's where you'll end up. Some of these areas are ski-able but in this case it is strongly discouraged. I found a picture that gives an idea of the steepness we're talking about (same mountain/different climbing party). See http://www.turns-all-year.com/goldhome/hp40/inimage/P1004632.jpg It's double black diamond. Here's another one http://www.turns-all-year.com/goldhome/hp40/inimage/P1004621.jpg You can make out one of the glissade chutes on the right-hand side of the picture.