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.

Avalanche on Elephants Back

Location Name: Elephants Back main bowl Region: Carson Pass Area Observation Date & Time: Saturday, January 30, 2021 - 13:00
Location: 38.678949, -119.982315 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Recent Loading›More Than a Foot of New Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Obvious Slide Path Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Large natural avalanche looks to have broken across the bowl at elephants back during the last storm cycle (1/28-29) on the NE aspect. Slide ran down to the first bench. Obvious crown just under the rock band. Stayed away from the skiers right side of the bowl as there were signs of wind loading from the last storm. Surface snow to the skiers left was also wind affected but did not show signs of instability.

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Storm Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Storm Snow

Trigger

Trigger:

Natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

40degrees

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R3 Medium

Crown Height:

2 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

1000ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

1000ft.

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

Above 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

None

Wind Speed:

Calm

Sky Cover:

Clear

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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