Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:28 pm
A few years back I got a lesson about cornices. And I thought I was careful BEFORE that!
http://www.splattski.com/2008/peak_9290/index.html
http://www.splattski.com/2008/peak_9290/index.html
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My guess would be yes, from what you say. I've never been to the Cascades but working at a ski resort in the Sierras for many years (this resort would get 500+inches per season more than not). I recall a few times after "BIG" dumps when patrol finally opened the top of the mountain there would be large cornices with fracture lines that ski patrol had marked where the fracture was but not blocked off the cornice with closed signs. After checking it ourselves we'd slid across the crack then bail off. Never had a problem. These were "Big" cornices. I knew the patrollers, and if there was any danger they would have closed them off. These guys at this resort really know their avy danger. I hope the guy will be alright.JJ wrote:When I used to live and climb in the Cascades I was told by many climbers that the cornices are notorious for breaking away further than you would expect due to the maritime snow. I have heard many cases where the climber was literally catapulted from the other side of the ridge to to the cornice fracture being so far back. Would there be a difference in cornice strength and the location of fracture lines between a continental and maritime snowpack?
JJ wrote:When I used to live and climb in the Cascades I was told by many climbers that the cornices are notorious for breaking away further than you would expect due to the maritime snow. I have heard many cases where the climber was literally catapulted from the other side of the ridge to to the cornice fracture being so far back. Would there be a difference in cornice strength and the location of fracture lines between a continental and maritime snowpack?