Cornice Bowl

Quick report

Weather

cloudy

Ride Type

alpineSlopes, mellowSlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

powder

Skied a run in lower cornice bowl first. No wind effect, no sun, nice 40 cm over pretty solid crust. Decide to ski to the top of the bowl. Decision based on no settlements, no slabs, no wind, no sun, no consolidated snow. Skinning up we find 40 cm powder snow over very solid crust. No obvious wind effected snow observed. First two people gain ridge top and wait for third person. Third person 25 m from ridge top when slide occurred. 250-300m slide length. Person didn't tumble but swam hard to stay upright and let snow flow under himself as much as possible. Person's head above surface and able to begin slowly digging himself out before first person gets there. One person stayed on ridge top (only place with cell service) to make 911 call, one person skied bed surface to begin search. 911 takes a while! Person in slide has bruized rib and sore thigh but wants to ski out. Group descends to lower and flatter spot to await helicopter which arrives very quickly. Two avalanche professionals and pilot circle the slide path and land close to group to assess. Person decides to ski out on their own. Afterthoughts: we think we missed the subtle change in snow consistency at ridge top. Last 15 m must have been a slightly denser - wind effected soft slab. Suspect there could have been surface hoar and/or facets on the crust or just above crust. Moderate hand shears near ridge top on skin up did not show alarming shear characteristics or consolidated snow. Just seemed too soft and unconsolidated to propagate. Goes to show you can't be tooo careful out there. Big Big Thanks to Fernie Search and Rescue for super fast response and to Greg at Ascent Helicopters for immaculate flying in cloudy alpine conditions.