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
03/15/2019 - 13:45
Snowpack Observation 		Sunrise Bowl
Donner Summit Area 		Slight wind effect on flat terrain Wind scour on NW aspect Approximately 10ft tall cornice on NW face of bowl Weak interface at 4-6in depth Public
12/23/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Blue Lakes
Carson Pass Area 		Great riding conditions in between tree bombs. We found more open and higher elevation cold slopes that weren't ruined by them I took dozens of photos like this today, across several miles of drainages, and only found the occasional feathery surface hoar crystal in the lower density layer just below the surface There were still areas with surface hoar on the surface, but it was already laying down and decomposing in the warm weather Professional Observer
03/25/2020 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small D1 wind slab avalanche intentionally triggered. Propagation of wind slab to right flank. Small wind slab failure on small test slope. 8-10'' wind slabs failing on a buried graupel layer. Small loose dry sluffing on slopes >35 degrees. Forecaster
04/01/2023 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Bear Trap Cabin
Bear Valley Area 		Public
12/20/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Evidence of blowing and drifting snow from yesterday. 1F+ hard wind slab over F hard old snow. 1F+ hard wind slab over F hard old snow with ECTP-8 result. Forecaster
03/19/2019 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Donner Summit
Donner Summit Area 		Photo of the compression test failure we saw in the artificially loaded tests on a shade N aspect. Public
03/27/2020 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Carson May's Knob
Donner Summit Area 		Public
04/08/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Cloud cover prevented significant surface wetting prior to noon Previous sastrugi might be transitioning to sun cups soon. Most of our descent was ideally smooth Professional Observer
12/24/2021 - 09:48
Avalanche Observation 		East of Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Public
03/24/2019 - 10:45
Avalanche Observation 		Avalanche Path on S side of Mt Ralston
Echo Summit Area 		Arrow shows area where slide started Shows trigger point partial path Debris where it stopped on a bench across from our rest spot Public
03/29/2020 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Small wind slab triggered by ski cut on N end of Wildflower Ridge. Snowpit (N aspect, ~7,500') with well developed SH layer, ECTN and PST 100/100. Rollerballs on E aspect terrain from snow surface heating during minor sun breaks. Pit near 3/27 snowboard triggered persistent slab avalanche (NE aspect, ~7,800') with ECTN results. Large cornices above E face of Mt. Judah. Forecaster
04/11/2023 - 09:00
Snowpack Observation 		Polaris Bowl
Carson Pass Area 		Public
12/29/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		South Camp Peak
East Shore Area 		Professional Observer
03/26/2019 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Trimmer
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Professional Observer
04/04/2020 - 16:45
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite
Donner Summit Area 		Top of hand pit with 6” on new snow on crust Hand pit showed a weaker/softer snow below the sun crust. Easy fracture at below the crust, then surprisingly another fracture 10-12” inches below the crust. Stomped on cornice and pushed off a small slide Stomped on cornice again further down and it broke up to 25’ away Public

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