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.

Remote triggered slab, Eureka Peak, Johnsville, CA

Location Name: Eureka Peak Region: Outside of the Forecast Area Observation Date & Time: Saturday, December 26, 2020 - 13:00
Location: 39.748165, -120.722880 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Collapsing / whumpfing noises Recent Loading Recent Loading›More Than a Foot of New Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Eureka Peak ski mission
Numerous whumphs on skin up
Hand pits observed weak, sugary snow 1-2 feet down, above old crust
Remote triggered avalanche failed within new snow above old crust.
North facing, 7200 feet, light wind, light to moderate snow, partial clearing at times.
several other natural slides observed in the area, similar aspect.

Snowpack Details

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

N

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Persistent Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

New/old snow interface

Additional number of similar avalanches:

3

Trigger

Trigger:

Skier

Trigger Modifier:

Remotely Triggered

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

38degrees

Aspect:

North

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R3 Medium

Crown Height:

2 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

200ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

300ft.

People Involved

Number of people caught:

0

Number of partial burials:

0

Number of full burials:

0

Sponsors:

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

CA OHMVR

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.