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
12/24/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Ski kicks on test slopes mainly resulted in loose dry avalanches (sluffs).PST 30/100 END on NCF above 12/15 RC. 8000', NE aspect, 24 degree slope.Loose NCF above the 12/15 RC. Forecaster
03/01/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		A long shooting crack on an open slope loaded by NE winds. The crack goes from where the photo was taken to the person in the red jacket. Wind scouring by the NE winds Another shooting crack on a cross-loaded SE aspect in near treeline terrain Shooting crack triggered on low angle slope loaded by the NE winds in near treeline terrain 3 ft thick wind slab resting on softer storm snow on top of an old firm crust. Forecaster
03/18/2018 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		RB4 near Andesite Peak Public
03/19/2021 - 13:28
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		crown below cornice fall triggered Avalanche Debris Side view of crown Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
02/13/2014 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Professional Observer
01/10/2023 - 11:30
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Natural storm slab avalanche failing sometime last night. Mostly covered by additional storm snow. Storm slab debris covered by additional storm snow today. Small storm slab intentionally triggered into gully feature. Storm slab avalanche debris into gully feature. Shooting cracks while moving into near treeline terrain with wind loading. Long shooting cracks off of skis in NTL terrain. Large cornices built out along ridges. Forecaster
04/21/2018 - 09:30
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Poor snow surface refreeze on open E aspect at 7,600'. About 3 inches of weak crust on top of 3 inches of residual storm snow on top of older melt-freeze crust. Residual wet snow in the deeper snowpack. Skier triggered roller balls on mid slope avalanche path on Andesite Peak. NE aspect at 7,900' at 9:15 am. Skier triggered roller balls on the summit of Andesite Peak. NE aspect at 9:45 am. Forecaster
03/22/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Shooting crack on an E - NE facing wind-loaded slope at 8100 ft. Rain runnels at 7500'. Large cornice drops did not cause wind slab failure. Heavy, wet, deep snow existed at 8200' on the top of Andesite. Forecaster
12/01/2022 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Cracking where the new snow failed on the old facets on a previously undercut slope on an E-facing meadow below treeline. Near treeline avalanche path with facets below the new snow. We did not go into this area. Cracking in the new wind loaded snow on a wind-loaded test in exposed upper elevation terrain. Small wind slab failure on a wind loaded test slope in exposed upper elevation terrain. This failed on a weakness within the storm snow. Poor visibility caused by clouds and blowing snow. There are still plenty of rocks near the surface in this area. Forecaster
03/25/2020 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small D1 wind slab avalanche intentionally triggered. Propagation of wind slab to right flank. Small wind slab failure on small test slope. 8-10'' wind slabs failing on a buried graupel layer. Small loose dry sluffing on slopes >35 degrees. Forecaster
02/26/2019 - 06:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		NE aspect below treeline with 2 to 3 ft crown visible. Slope angle ranged from 32 to 44 degrees. Skier's left side of crown and debris. Skier's right side of crown and debris. Crown of 2-3 feet with 8 inches of storm snow on bed surface. ECTX and CTH-Broken results in crown at 11:45am. This is the maximum amount of cracking we observed today in areas of wind slab. Ski cuts such as this in wind loaded terrain above treeline produced no results. Forecaster
01/13/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Active wind loading continuing over the higher ridges and peaks. Cracking on new cornice formation. Minor cracking in newly forming wind slabs today. Recent storm snow on top of the Jan 4 rain crust. NE aspect at 7800' in open treed location. Forecaster
04/07/2017 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Shooting cracks on wind loaded ridgeline near peak. 8200', E aspect.Wind loading with large built out cornices along upper ridge.ECTN's with no propagation in wind loaded terrain, 8100', E aspect. Forecaster
01/22/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small cracking on above a ENE wind-loaded slope near the summit of AndesiteSkier-triggered pinwheels at 8000 ft. Forecaster
02/20/2017 - 10:50
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area
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.
 Forecaster

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