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.

Wind slab avalanche in crater lake bowl

Location Name: Red lake peak Region: Carson Pass Area Observation Date & Time: Friday, March 24, 2023 - 09:00
Location: 38.719127, -119.982366 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Obvious Slide Path Trigger Points Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Skied down from summit bowl to just above the saddle into crater lake bowl. Large wind slab across top of bowl. Investing slab, put a ski cut across the top without committing to slope.
Mostly supportable, with no movement. Pulled to safe spot, second skier put a cut in a couple feet below my cut, the slope immediately released from above the first cut. Second skier skied off slab without a problem. Crown height at cut was 16". Average crown 1'. Propagated in both directions appropriately 300', and ran fast into the flats.

Avalanche Details

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

40degrees

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Crown Height:

1 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

300ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

800ft.

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

Wind slab avalanche in crater lake bowl

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

Wind slab avalanche in crater lake bowl

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Search form

Follow Us

Sponsors: