These observations document past conditions at a small and variable scale. They are not to be confused with an avalanche forecast. They come from a variety of sources. We can only vouch for the quality of those produced by the SAC forecasters and professional observers.
Date and time of observation or avalanche occurrence Location Media Observation made by
03/24/2023 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Elephants Hump
Carson Pass Area 		A light crust indicating rain or wet snow may have destroyed surface hoar Erosion pattern from moderate to strong NW winds Professional Observer
03/24/2023 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Small cornice pieces broke and fell onto test slopes when kicked, but they did not trigger wind slab failures in the test slopes. Large cornices along the Hourglass Ridge. Wind affected snow surfaces existed along the ridges with softer more consistent snow in sheltered areas. Surface hoar was buried about 12 to 16 inches below the surface in some areas, but tests targeting it and general observations did not show any signs of instability. Forecaster
03/24/2023 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Pacific Valley and Highland Lakes
Ebbetts Pass Area 		Public
03/24/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Trimmer Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Looking at Trimmer in the distance with burned forest from Caldor fire closer. Evidence of previous SW winds one the upper ridge of the approach peak. This small near tree line NE facing test slope at about 8200 feet showed virtually no cohesive snow. Small N facing cornice at 8200 feet broke a few inches deep and propagated about 10 feet in response to ski kicks. Close to 9000 feet there were many small wind slabs that easily produced cracks ECTN 12. I didn't find buried Surface Hoar but did see buried graupel. The looker's right slide path of the 11's. Professional Observer
03/24/2023 - 09:30
Avalanche Observation 		Trestle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Public
03/24/2023 - 09:00
Avalanche Observation 		Red lake peak
Carson Pass Area 		Public
03/23/2023 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		I remotely triggered this wind slab from the lower angle terrain 20 ft away where I am standing in this photo. Stepping on this wind-loaded test slope triggered shooting cracks and the avalanche 20 ft away on a steeper part of the slope. We found the layer of buried surface hoar about 18 inches below the surface on a N aspect at 7800 ft, but tests targeting it did not produce unstable results. Natural wind slab avalanches on the East face of Mt. Judah. Another natural avalanche near the summit of Mt. Judah. Forecaster
03/23/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Polaris Bowl
Carson Pass Area 		wind transport on Hawkins 3 hours later, in windy areas tracks almost fully filled in cracks around the skis Public
03/22/2023 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		ECTP-24 on buried surface hoar. ECTP-8 on rimed precipitation particles down 8-10''. Snow available for wind transport along Castle Ridge above Castle Pass. Localized cracking around skis Large cornices along Andesite Peak. Forecaster
03/22/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tragedy Springs
Carson Pass Area 		The center and climber's right of this test slope had recently avalanched naturally, but I couldn't get the climber's left to slide today. Multiple other test slopes failed to produce signs of instability Shovel tilts still showed two planar failure layers, but ECTs in the same locations did not propagate A north aspect in the afternoon, note the way it's bunching up in front of my sled due to warming Professional Observer
03/22/2023 - 04:00
Snowpack Observation 		Galena Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		Public
03/21/2023 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Powderhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		At 2:20pm there was about 5 inches of fresh snow near the base of Powerhouse at 7800 feet. While skinning up there were occasional patches of blue sky and periods of no snow. Cornices along the summit ridge were large. Lots of shooting cracks in the above treeline summit area. This crack extended over 50' and triggered a small wind slab on the slope below. Photo of small wind slab that I triggered from above and over 50' to the left of this slide Back at the base, wind had blown enough snow to cover the skin track. Professional Observer
03/21/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Snowpack tests looking at the buried surface hoar layer on wind loaded NW NTL terrain. Cracking around skis in wind loaded terrain. Large buried surface hoar fragments Rain runnels still exposed with firm snow surfaces below 7000', this morning pre storm. Evidence of rain above 7200' on Sunday causing wet loose instabilities. Clouds moving in with light snow beginning around 10am. Forecaster
03/20/2023 - 14:30
Avalanche Observation 		Melissa Coray - Emigrant Bowl
Carson Pass Area 		Public
03/20/2023 - 13:45
Avalanche Observation 		Round Top Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Public

Pages