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.

Natural avalanche on Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak

Location Name: Tamarack Peak - Far East Ridge Region: Mount Rose Area Observation Date & Time: Sunday, December 4, 2022 - 03:00
Location: 39.312855, -119.911101 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Collapsing / whumpfing noises Persistent Problem 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 Trigger Points Terrain Matches the Advisory

Location Name:

Tamarack Peak - Far East Ridge

Region:

Mount Rose Area

Observation Date & Time:

Sunday, December 4, 2022 - 03:00

Location:

39.312855, -119.911101

See map: CalTopo

Is this an Avalanche Observation?:

Yes

Conditions Alerts:

Avalanche Activity
Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)
Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Collapsing / whumpfing noises
Persistent Problem
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

Trigger Points

Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

We saw this avalanche that appeared to have occurred naturally, triggered by cornice collapse. Storm snow covering the debris suggested it occurred sometime last night. Additional low sections of crown propagating horizontal out from the flanks lower on the slope suggest Dec 1 PWL involvement. Possibly initiated as a wind slab that triggered the PWL lower on the slope to show persistent slab behavior, making it a hybrid type avalanche.

Snowpack Details

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Persistent Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Old Snow

Additional number of similar avalanches:

Trigger

Trigger:

Natural

Trigger Modifier:

Cornice Fall Triggered

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

40degrees

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Crown Height:

3 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

100ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

200ft.

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

Natural avalanche on Far East Ridge of Tamarack 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

Natural avalanche on Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Search form

Follow Us

Sponsors: