Cornice Ridge
Quick reportJessR · Feb 1, 2023 · Kootenay Pass
Quick report
- Weather
- cloudy, cold, windy
- Ride Type
- denseTrees, mellowSlopes, openTrees, steepSlopes
- Stayed Away
- steepSlopes
- Riding Quality
- Good
- Snow Conditions
- powder, windAffected
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSnow
We skied a few laps off the east aspect of cornice ridge (~2100m, above the saddle). There was lots of wind effect along the ridge with some cross-loading and a distinct wind loaded layer (10-20cm thick) in patches (broke off in chunks). We skied dense-open trees, and generally avoided open areas in steeper terrain. There was no reactivity to ski cuts on the east aspect. We dug one pit with a CT and an ECT (see snowpack summary).
Snowpack
Point summary: 2000m elevation (tree line), east aspect, 30 degree slope in open trees. Total snowpack depth 205-225cm. New storm and wind carried snow 5-10cm. ECT(4) 20cm down, planar resistant (no propagation). CT(2) 30cm down, planar resistant. CT(19) 45cm down, planar resistant. Shovel shear test failed on a layer 50cm down and then ~160cm down.