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.

Alpenglow AIARE 2 Andesite Ridge

Location Name: Andesite Ridge Region: Donner Summit Area Observation Date & Time: Saturday, March 11, 2023 - 14:00
Location: 39.344186, -120.353915 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Recent Loading›Rain on Snow Recent Loading›Snowfall Rates of More Than 1 in/hr

Observation made by: Educator at Alpenglow Expeditions

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

We toured Andesite Ridge to observe how new snow was accumlating and affecting the current snowpack. Wx obs at TH @ 10:30 AM: X, S1, C, 0*C

Dug pit @ 12:30 PM @ 7,780' on E aspect. CTH Q2 @55 cm down x2, ECTX

Continued up ridge to look at old avy debris from yesterday. Noticed new cornice and wind slab formation in the same location. Winds, blowing snow, and snowfall rates increased significantly near & above treeline and visability decreased. We were able to intentionally trigger small wind slab avalanches of new snow. Avoided avy terrain on descent.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph:

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

290cm

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Wind Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Storm Snow

Additional number of similar avalanches:

Trigger

Trigger:

Skier

Trigger Modifier:

Intentionally Triggered

Terrain

Aspect:

East

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R2 Small

Crown Height:

Less than 1 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

200ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

100ft.

People Involved

Number of people caught:

Number of partial burials:

Number of full burials:

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Alpenglow AIARE 2 Andesite Ridge

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