In reply to jon:
yes very true. Although that's still the way down on skis for most people as the Guardien couloir is too steep usually to ski and needs at least one ab.
Similar situation above the Grand Mulets where the climb via the plateaus used to be regarded as a suicide mission but in the last few years has become safer (I really hope saying this this isn't upsetting the mountain gods). This year the old corridor route on MB is also back in fashion.
Post edited at 17:44