I've found the same. Usually you can drop the coils which gets the weight centered lower, and then pound in an ice tool and transfer some of the load onto that using a prussik. That should free you up enough to dig a t-slot or pound in a picket. With a little practice its not too difficult. From there drop-loops or z-drags are simple to set up if needed, although your partner should almost always be able to self-rescue.