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 in terrain below Round Top

Location Name: Round top Region: Carson Pass Area Observation Date & Time: Sunday, April 17, 2022 - 14:46
Location: 38.676854, -120.004132 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Terrain Alerts: Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Guide at Blackbird Mountain Guides

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

We observed a crown line at 8800 ft below the round top main apron. It looked like 1-2 ft deep, in a steep 40+ section of sun shaded and wind loaded terrain, 100x100ft near tree line, as shown in the picture ( area in the shade). Other evidence of recently deposited wind slabs observed throughout our tour. No other observed activity.

Natural wind slab South Lake Tahoe backcountry

Wind slab near tree line Lake Tahoe backcountry

Mitpit 20cm Q1 wind slab

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Wind Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Storm Snow

Trigger

Trigger:

Natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

40degrees

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R2 Small

Crown Height:

1 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

100ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

100ft.

People Involved

Number of people caught:

Number of partial burials:

Number of full burials:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

8000 - 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Moderate

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Strong

Sky Cover:

Few - Mostly Clear - up to 2/8 covered

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Above Freezing

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Avalanche in terrain below Round Top

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Avalanche in terrain below Round Top

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