This page displays avalanche incidents reported to the Sierra Avalanche Center that have occurred in the backcountry and involve a person caught, buried, and/or injuried.
Date and time of observation or avalanche occurrence Location Region Observation Type Photos Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos Snowpit videos (tests, etc) Number of people caught Number of people caught Observation made by
12/10/2016 - 10:18 Mt. Rose Chutes - CLOSED AREA Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
Starting zone on the upper avalanche path after the afternoon avalanche release. This is a mix of the morning and afternoon crowns. Note how the crown steps down into different layers.
Closeup of the crown.
Overview of the upper starting zone
Smaller avalanche from the afternoon in an adjacent path.
Close up of the small crown in the lower adjacent path
Looking down the slope to the debris pile.
Looking up from the debris. Photo by Andrew Pinkham
The confluence of debris where the skier was found. The person is standing next to the burial location.
Standing in the hole where the skier was buried. He was buried prone in the area at my feet.
 1 Forecaster
12/18/2016 - 12:00 Red Lake Peak Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
12/24/2016 - 11:30 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation
1 Forecaster
12/31/2016 - 09:30 Bronco Chutes Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
01/05/2017 - 10:53 Fireplug Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
01/05/2017 - 11:00 Fireplug Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
Avalanche overview photo. Zoom in to see details.
Crown line to 6 feet at lower left in overview photo.
Lookin down to debris from crown line in far lower left of overview photo.
 1 Forecaster
01/21/2017 - 13:05 Lower Manzanita Bowl Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
Storm slab on side loaded small ridge top. Search and Rescue in background
 1 Public
01/21/2017 - 13:20 Manzanita Bowl, Slide Mtn Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
Crossing couloir with slide below skier
Skiing debris field after controlled ski cut release
24" diameter tree avy damage from last storm cycle. Debris already buried
 1 Public
01/25/2017 - 13:02 Porcupine Ridge East Shore Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
02/11/2017 - 12:20 Incline Peak Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
02/12/2017 - 11:30 Main bowl of Rose Knob Peak East Shore Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
02/12/2017 - 12:30 Due south of Rose Knob Peak Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
Aftermath of Avalanche near Rose Knob Peak.
Avalanche Path in Yellow.
1 Public
02/18/2017 - 03:30 Frog Lake Ridge above Red lake Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation
Crown and bed surface
Skier with debris field.
 1 Public
02/20/2017 - 10:50 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation
Initial cracks triggered by kicking on the upper part of slope which caused the avalanche down lower at the mid slope convexity.
Initial cracks triggered by kicking on the upper part of slope which caused the avalanche down lower at the mid slope convexity.
The small avalanche in which skier was caught.
Red lines over crown of lower avalanche that occurred before ski pole drop. Green line over crown of small avalanche that carried skier.
Skier with deployed airbag after being carried 200 vertical feet by small avalanche, no burial.
 1 Forecaster
03/02/2017 - 13:20 North Bowl Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public

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