These observations document past conditions at a small and variable scale. They are not to be confused with an avalanche forecast. They come from a variety of sources. We can only vouch for the quality of those produced by the SAC forecasters and professional observers.
Date and time of observation or avalanche occurrence Location Region Observation Type Photos Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos Snowpit videos (tests, etc) Observation made by
05/10/2022 - 11:00 Elephant's Hump Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
05/07/2022 - 12:00 Alpine/Keyhole Area West Shore Area Avalanche Observation Public
04/30/2022 - 14:15 Round top Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation Public
04/29/2022 - 10:30 Mt Tallac - Cathedral Bowl Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Avalanche Observation Rock band point releases from earlier in the week Overhanging cornices Public
04/25/2022 - 11:00 Round Top Peak Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
04/22/2022 - 14:30 Flagpole Peak Echo Summit Area Avalanche Observation Loose Wet Avalanche on Flagpole Peak Professional Observer
04/22/2022 - 12:30 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Crown line profile showing no results on wind slab avalanche activity from yesterday. Many cornice kicks and ski cuts produced some entrainment of new snow, but no propagation. Crown line profile showing no ECTN results on storm slab instability from yesterday. About 1' of new snow covering up crown and bed surface. Natural wind slab avalanche on the North side of Castle Peak that occurred yesteday. Some minor roller balls developing through the day off of rocks on Donner Summit. Forecaster
04/21/2022 - 12:00 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation The first storm slab we triggered on a road cut along the Castle Rd. Remotely triggered storm slab from 50 feet away in low angle terrain to the side. This avalanche connected to more avalanches another 500' beyond. Connected avalanche. This storm slab avalanche was connected and a part of a 600' wide propagation. Wind slab avalanche triggered from the summit of Andesite. It continued all the way and beyond the slopes out of view to the right as well as propagation across the rest of the terrain to the left. This wind slab was a part of about 700' of propagation that connected multiple paths together. Forecaster
04/21/2022 - 11:19 Powderhouse peak Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Soft powdery conditions from the trailhead @ 7700'. Mid storm graupel event. Ski cut on soft wind slab at ridgeline. Soft wind slab on wind loaded feature above 9000'. 8-10" of new snow @ 9300'. Professional Observer
04/20/2022 - 11:30 Rubicon Peak West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Thinning snowcover at the trailhead that improves above 7,200'. Signs of wind effect as we moved into near treeline terrain. Unreactive wind slabs that only cracked when this close to an undercut. Rollerballs and pinwheels in NNE aspect terrain around 8,100'. Natural rollerballs below cliffs looking west into Desolation Wilderness. Forecaster
04/20/2022 - 11:10 Round Top Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Looking across at Red Lake Peak. Soft wind slab on small terrain feature, stubborn with no propagation. Breakable melt freeze crust on the surface early on the tour. Small debris pile from ski cut wind slab. Wet loose surface snow on solar aspects later in the day. Professional Observer
04/20/2022 - 10:00 Galena and Tamarack Ridges Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Public
04/19/2022 - 11:30 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Wind slab failure triggered by a ski kick on an E-ENE facing test slope. Skier triggered wind-slab failure on a wind-loaded test slope. Skier triggered shooting cracks on a wind-loaded test slope. About 6 inches of new snow on top of a thin melt freeze crust with a deep layer of wet snow below it. Minor cracking around my skis in sheltered terrain. Forecaster
04/19/2022 - 11:00 Tamarack Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Public
04/18/2022 - 11:00 Yuba Pass Yuba Pass Area Snowpack Observation Ankle deep wet snow on an E aspect at 11 am. A thin melt freeze crust in the shade was all that was left from last night's refreeze at 11:30 am. Runnels in the snow surface indicating good drainage. Small roller balls and pinwheels on a sunny E-NE facing slope at 11:30 am. Ski cuts on sunny slopes triggered small roller balls and pinwheels before noon. Forecaster

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