Buzz Ridge and Cornice Ridge

<p>We had a mind to ski the east side of Buzz ridge from the tall point where it is slightly steeper and more open. Bluebird day. We observed several avalanches on Easterly aspects. We dug a pit near the top of Buzz ridge and did an ECT with the following results: ECTN5 (at 25cm, smooth shear Q1) ECTP12 (at 65 cm, not a smooth shear Q2-Q3... not 100% on shear quality given the block broke up) No result on the SH down lower but it popped easily on a shovel shear test - Q1. Although we observed no whumpfing or cracks, we backed off Buzz Ridge given the results of the ECT and the recent avalanche on similar aspects. Instead we went down the mellower slopes towards Cornice Ridge and did a couple laps on the S/SE aspects of Cornice. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Sunny slopes.

Terrain Avoided

Steep slopes, Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Snow Conditions

Powder.

Weather Conditions

Cold, Sunny.