[e9999]

I am still struggling with the notion of what is fine sand...
I have been a lot in sand in the US Western States and never got stuck. Yes, progression forward impeded many times while playing on steep slopes, but always could back down again in reverse.
Now, this was not talcum kind of sand, was coarser than that, admittedly.
So, I can't talk about the real real fine talcum powder kind of deep sand -if there is such thing out there, if so please describe, I'm interested- but for "normal" sand, I can't see a sand ladder being too essential.

But, I really support the notion that you don't air down all the way from the beginning, keep a bit more airing down in reserve you get you out of predicaments!