The last avalanche forecast for the 2023-2024 season will post on April 21st. Thank you to all who contributed to the avalanche center this season through observations, volunteer time, and/or financial contributions.

Cornice Failure on Relay Peak

Location Name: Relay Peak Ridgeline Region: Mount Rose Area Observation Date & Time: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 - 11:23
Location: 39.329996, -119.939699 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Obvious Slide Path Trigger Points

Observation made by: Educator at Alpenglow Expeditions

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Went for a tour in the Relay Peak zone to check out what the final leg of the strom provided for the NE corner of lake tahoe. Found snowdepths ranging from 40cm to 110cm in wind affected areas. Toured up the access road towards relay peak, breaking trail with about 25cm of ski penetration. No other instablities were observed besides this cornice failure. While this slide was intentionally triggered, larger, more consequential terrain should be evaluated with great care. Happy skiing!

Cornice failure

Crown view with debris

Cornice failure

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

110cm

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Above Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Cornice

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

New/old snow interface

Trigger

Trigger:

Skier

Trigger Modifier:

Intentionally Triggered

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

28degrees

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Crown Height:

Less than 1 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

45ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

30ft.

People Involved

Number of people caught:

Number of partial burials:

Number of full burials:

Sponsors:

This website is owned and maintained by the non-profit arm of the Sierra Avalanche Center. Some of the content is updated by the USDA avalanche forecasters including the forecasts and some observational data. The USDA is not responsible for any advertising, fund-raising events/information, or sponsorship information, or other content not related to the forecasts and the data pertaining to the forecasts.

Forecast Links

Subscriptions

Forecast Tutorials

Observations

Incidents

Submit Observations

Subscriptions

Remote Weather Stations

National Weather Service

Model Forecasts

Local Resources

The SAC Daily Flow

Forecast Tutorials

Other Resources

Cornice Failure on Relay Peak

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Sponsors:

Forecast Links

Subscriptions

Forecast Tutorials

Observations

Incidents

Submit Observations

Subscriptions

Remote Weather Stations

National Weather Service

Model Forecasts

Local Resources

The SAC Daily Flow

Forecast Tutorials

Other Resources

Cornice Failure on Relay Peak

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Search form

Follow Us

Sponsors: