Stella Mine

Avalanche

aidanwilson95 · Jan 3, 2021 · Bull

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Quick report

Weather
cloudy, cold, windy
Ride Type
mellowSlopes, openTrees, alpineSlopes
Stayed Away
convexSlopes
Riding Quality
amazing
Snow Conditions
powder, crusty
Avalanche Conditions
avalancheConditionSnow

Skied west tree covered aspects of Bill Nye bowl. Saw debris fields on the south side of the bowl below headwall and cornices. Skiing was good.

Snowpack

Depth
185
Obs Type
point
Site Aspect
NW
Test Fracture
sudden
Site Elevation
2400
Ski Penetration
25
Test Initiation
easy
Foot Penetration
30
Cracking Observed
1
Test Failure Depth
30
Site Elevation Band
alp, tln
Surface Conditions
newSnow
Test Failure Layer Crystal Types
crust

30cm if storm snow was on top of what was believed to be the January 24th crust layer. Pit observations showed that the storm snow was semi-reactive with the lower snowpack showing good bonding. Total snowpack depths was 185cm. See avalanche tab for details regarding slide.

Avalanche

Run Length
200
Slab Width
10
Trigger Type
skier
Wind Exposure
crossLoadedSlope
Avalanche Size
2
Slab Thickness
30
Trigger Sub Type
intentional
Start Zone Aspect
NW
Vegetation Cover
sparseTrees
Start Zone Incline
30
Avalanche Character
stormSlab
Crust Near Weak Layer
1
Number Of Avalanches
1
Start Zone Elevation
2400
Runout Zone Elevation
2100
Weak Layer Burial Date
2021-01-24T16:50:00.000Z
Start Zone Elevation Band
alp, tln
Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
2021-01-30T13:32:00

First skier intentionally cut across a small opening at the top of the intended line to gage stability and confirm test pit observation. This resulted in the release of storm snow. Trigger point appeared a small rocky area in a shallow zone of the snowpack. The slab ran approximately 200m on what was suspected to be the January 24th crust layer. Crown was 30cm and roughly 10m long. No step down occurred.