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 Media Observation made by
04/05/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Boot pen of only 5 cms on SE aspect at 9000 feet at 1100. Firm frozen snow extended down approximately 25 cms. Softer moist snow below that. Professional Observer
04/05/2018 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Johnson Canyon
Donner Summit Area 		Spotty snow coverage on low elevation (below 7400 ft) S and SW aspects. Boot top deep wet snow on an E aspect at 7100 ft. at 11 am. The snow was still barely ski supportable at this time. Forecaster
04/06/2018 - 10:45
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Knee deep wet snow on an ENE aspect at 7560 ft. Small skier triggered pinwheels on a NE facing test slope. Forecaster
04/07/2018 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Breakable refreezing crust with deep wet snow below. Light snow above 10000 ft. on Mt. Rose Rime at 9700 ft on Tamarack Peak. Forecaster
04/08/2018 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Snow surface refreeze of the top 10 inches of snow on flat terrain at ~7,600' at 10 am. Feet of residual wet snow below the surface refreeze. Surface wet snow 2-3 inches deep at 11:30 am on E aspect at ~8,900' Forecaster
04/08/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Carpenter Ridge
Independence Lake Area 		Deep slab. Looked fairly recent but I never got a better view. Wet slide that appeared to have released today. N bowl of Castle. Rain melt / freeze ice crust Skin penetration around noon on S aspect ~8,000' Public
04/08/2018 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Pyramid Peak
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Glide cracks on an E facing granite slab at 8400 ft. 2-4 cm of corn snow on a sunny E aspect at 9000 ft at 1 pm. Large cornice collapses on a NE aspect at 8800 ft. It looks like these occurred during the rain storm. Public
04/09/2018 - 08:30
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Open areas between 7,200' and 8,200' held a refreeze of the top 4 to 6 inches of the snow surface at 8:00 am. Snow surface in melt phase on E aspect at 7,540' at 8:30 am. Forecaster
04/10/2018 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Almost knee deep wet snow on an E aspect at 8000 ft. at 12:15 pm. Rain clouds and rain looking east from Mt. Judah Cracks along Wildflower Ridge as the cornice pulls away from the ridge. Forecaster
04/11/2018 - 03:30
Avalanche Observation 		Mr Rose trail just past waterfall
Mount Rose Area 		Public
04/11/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Chickadee Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		1 to 3 cm of corn snow on top of a supportable melt-freeze crust at 11:30 am Widespread cloud cover rolling in across the Sierra Crest ahead of tonight's storm Forecaster
04/12/2018 - 01:15
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Public
04/12/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite and Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Skier triggered shooting crack on a wind loaded E facing test slope Small ski triggered wind slab failure on an E facing test slope Increasing clouds across the Sierra Crest around noon NW winds scouring the ridge on Castle Peak at 11:15 am Forecaster
04/12/2018 - 18:00
Snowpack Observation 		North Bowl Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		West winds transporting snow More west wind transport 4-5" of cold snow still existed on N aspect at 18:30 Public
04/13/2018 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Maggie's Peak South
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Skier triggered loose wet avalanche, 8,350', ENE aspect, 1:15pm. N and NE aspect terrain above Azure Lake in full sun with April high sun angle. Forecaster

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