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
02/21/2021 - 12:08

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Public
12/21/2014 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Professional Observer
04/10/2022 - 10:00

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Ridges and sunny aspects melted out limiting terrain options. By mid morning cloud cover started to decrease with more solar radiation. Treed areas littered with down trees, branches, pine needles, etc. Trailhead melting out near the gate. Forecaster
02/09/2015 - 02:00

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Professional Observer
03/24/2020 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Developing and fragile new cornices. Cracking in wind loaded areas with 4-8'' wind slabs. Forecaster
01/06/2019 - 12:00

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
One of the skier triggered wind slabs near the top of Andesite Peak Small wind slab failure on a test slope. A second ski kick at the spot just after the photo was taken triggered a large whumpf. Skier triggered D1 wind slab avalanche on NE aspect at 8000'.  50' wide x 70' long. Another small D1 skier triggered avalanche in similar terrain. Cracking started at the trailhead 8 inches of new snow acculumated at the trailhead while we were out. My pole is pushed into the level of our skin track when we started the day. Forecaster
02/11/2017 - 13:30

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Near treeline terrain at 7900'.  Extensive wind loading and transport.Small test slopes on wind loaded S-SW aspects did not show any cracking. Guide

Tahoe Mountain Scho
01/20/2017 - 15:45

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
D2 Wind slab avalanche triggered by a small cornice piece
Small avalanche triggered by a larger piece of cornice
Cracking in the storm snow on in below treeline terrain
Forecaster
02/12/2019 - 11:45

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Moderate amounts of blowing snow noted as we approached near treeline terrain. Skin track refill in above treeline terrain. Skier triggered shooting crack 20 ft long and 1 ft deep in wind slab on test slope. Another party's snowboard cut did not produce results on this wind loaded slope. Forecaster
01/26/2021 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Public
12/01/2018 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
One of several natural wind slab avalanches on Andesite Peak, E aspect, ~8,100'. Cracking triggered while breaking trail below treeline. Early signs of the instability in the area. The first wind loaded feature we approached at treeline, E aspect,~7,900'. Intentional remote skier triggered avalanche. View from triggering location. 20' shooting crack to where avalanche occurred. Pointing to far flank on the large bump in low visibility. 20' skier triggered shooting crack in near treeline terrain, ENE aspect. Another natural wind slab avalanche, above treeline terrain, ENE aspect, ~8,100'. Still another natural wind slab avalanche, above treeline terrain, ENE aspect, ~8,100'. Wide propagation with the far flank about 2/3rds of the way across the open slope in the background. Easily 200' wide. Forecaster
04/10/2021 - 14:30

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
South Side of Castle Peak losing snow quickly Educator

Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/18/2016 - 14:00

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
NE wind scouring at 8200' Andesite Peak4'' recent storm snow over firm rain crust.  Faceting occuring around recent rain crust.NE wind scouring at 8200' E aspect of peak. Guide

Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/28/2022 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Small cornice collapse on Andesite Ridge PS 5-10 cm at all elevations Guide

International Alpine Guid
03/06/2019 - 13:00

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Right flank of slide Left flank of slide Public

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