rh, what do you mean, the 'way out' idea is hogwash?
If I'm approaching along a ridge line and there is descending terrain each side, there's good 'ways out' all the way in.
To answer your question about experience, I've done some mountain flying in crap conditions, but not a lot - probably nowhere near as much as you guys do in Canada.
Shallow sounds good if you're in the updraft air, but a horse's arse if you're on the lee side of the ridge - I guess your response there would be that you wouldn't approach from that side.