Cornice & Buzzes Ridge
AvalancheJess · Feb 9, 2023 · Kootenay Pass
Quick report
- Weather
- sunny
- Ride Type
- mellowSlopes, alpineSlopes, steepSlopes, denseTrees, openTrees
- Stayed Away
- alpineSlopes, steepSlopes, openTrees
- Riding Quality
- good
- Snow Conditions
- powder, windAffected
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSnow
We observed two avalanches that happened in the past 24 hours. The first avalanche (size 2) was on the east aspect of cornice ridge, the second avalanche (also size 2) was observed from the top of Buzzes ridge. There was evidence of reverse loading from the past couple days, and intact surface hoar on top of the ridges and into tree line. We skied dense-open trees on slopes 25-35 degrees. After debriefing, we decided we should've skied more conservative (low angle) terrain.
Avalanche
- Run Length
- 250
- Slab Width
- 100
- Trigger Type
- natural
- Wind Exposure
- leeSlope
- Avalanche Size
- 2
- Start Zone Aspect
- E
- Vegetation Cover
- openSlope
- Avalanche Character
- windSlab, stormSlab
- Number Of Avalanches
- 2-5
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2100
- Runout Zone Elevation
- 1950
- Avalanche Observation
- 12to24hrsAgo
- Weak Layer Crystal Type
- stormSnow
- Start Zone Elevation Band
- alp
- Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
- 2023-02-09T21:00:00.000Z
We observed two avalanches that happened in the past 24 hours. The first avalanche (size 2) was on the east aspect of cornice ridge, with the crown just below the peak/ridge. Unclear if it was triggered by a cornice fall or natural storm slab. This aspect is 35-40 degrees. 30-50cm thick, 100m wide, 250m path length. The second avalanche (also size 2) was observed from the top of Buzzes ridge. It occurred on a complex north aspect with patches of 45 degree terrain (between buzzes and missile).