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
12/09/2019 - 12:00 Castle/Basin Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation Human triggered avalanche.  200' wide. 12/9 photo, The failure layer appears to be buried surface hoar. 12/9 photo, SAC Forecaster standing at burial location.  2 main debris paths. 12/10 photo, 200' wide, 1-2' deep, failing on a covex rollover. 12/10 photo, Mid slope crown. 12/10 photo, Looking downslope at the terrain. Debris visible below. 12/10 photo, Large shooting cracks out into less steep terrain. 12/10 photo, Hole from full burial excavation. 12/10 photo 1 Forecaster
02/08/2019 - 11:00 Mt. Judah Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
03/26/2020 - 02:45 Above Frog Lake, before entering N. Castle Bowl Independence Lake Area Avalanche Observation , 1 Public
03/20/2021 - 12:15 above Meiss meadow Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation Overview of incident; crown, chute, entrance, slide path, cliff hidden in pic 1, crowns, runout, debris 1 Public
04/10/2017 - 11:00 Above winnimucca lake Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
02/12/2019 - 10:30 Across from River Ranch Sawtooth Ridge to Tahoe City Avalanche Observation 4 Public
05/07/2022 - 12:00 Alpine/Keyhole Area West Shore Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
03/27/2020 - 10:45 Anderson Ridge Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation , , 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
03/19/2021 - 13:20 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
12/24/2016 - 11:30 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation
1 Forecaster
04/15/2022 - 13:15 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation , , , 2 Public
01/16/2016 - 12:00 Andesite Ridge Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation 2 Public
04/09/2023 - 10:30 Angora Peak Echo Summit Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
03/06/2010 - 13:30 Angora Peak Echo Summit Area Avalanche Observation ,
1 Forecaster

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