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
01/05/2017 - 10:53 Fireplug Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
12/31/2016 - 09:30 Bronco Chutes Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
12/24/2016 - 11:30 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation
1 Forecaster
12/18/2016 - 12:00 Red Lake Peak Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
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
03/15/2016 - 03:00 Below the Cornice in Polaris Bowl Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Avalanche Observation
2 Public
01/16/2016 - 12:00 Andesite Ridge Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation 2 Public
01/14/2016 - 14:30 Donner Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation
1 Forecaster
01/14/2016 - 13:00 Tallac Corkscrew bowl, skiers left entry Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Avalanche Observation This is the crown profile, The crown from below, this shows about half the total crown I believe, This is the debris field, the arrow marks where the snowboarder had ended up in the tree and was buried up to his waist. His head and neck were above the snow the whole time, and had no injuries., This pit below the final ridge on the skin track, East facing, 33degrees 9000ft shows the weak layer which was very reactive CT3 for me and CT 13 for the one on the right. Not sure if this is a new layer or if this is an older, seems like a new layer and the new storm snow/wind slab.
 1 Public
01/03/2016 - 12:56 Silver Peak - North Ridge Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
12/31/2015 - 13:00 Bear Claw Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
11/11/2015 - 11:30 Elephants Back NE face Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
11/11/2015 - 11:00 NE slope of Elephant's Back Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public
12/16/2014 - 20:21 Castle Peak North Bowl Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation 1 Public
12/16/2014 - 13:23 North east of Grouse Rock Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area Avalanche Observation
1 Public

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