These observations document past conditions at a small and variable scale. They are not too 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
03/19/2021 - 12:00 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Large cornices broke easily with ski kicks well back from their edges. Shooting crack in a wind-loaded area near the summit of Castle above the skin track. This photo came from another party we encountered on our tour. Low visibility due to blowing snow and clouds near the summit of Castle Peak. A small cornice piece entrained some new snow as a sluff as it slid down this test slope. Large cornice pieces that triggered some cracking in the slope below. Forecaster
03/19/2021 - 12:00 Red Lake Peak Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation Forecaster
03/19/2021 - 11:45 Crater Lake Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/19/2021 - 10:10 Mini Hump Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation Crown View from the skin track Public
03/19/2021 - 09:00 Becker Ridge Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation Heavy snow spackled trees along Echo Lake Road. Very small cracking in some areas where new snow was shallow and older snow was wet. Looking at the new snow. No propagation observed here. All the snow around the older crusts was moist in this location and easily formed snowballs. Surface conditions were enjoyable but heavy. Around 1030 Hwy 50 over Echo Summit was completely clear of snow and wet (it had been snow covered before 8am). Professional Observer
03/18/2021 - 12:00 Ophir Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Dark clouds and warm temperatures. Wet surface snow below around 8500' on northerly aspects ECTX on existing upper snowpack. Forecaster
03/17/2021 - 11:00 Genoa Peak East Shore Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/17/2021 - 11:00 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Cloud cover drastically slowing snow surface melt. Breakable melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and flat terrain. Surface melt-freeze crust formed in the past 24 hours. Minor amounts of surface wet snow formation on a wind protected, below treeline, open E aspect, at about 7,700'. Forecaster
03/16/2021 - 12:00 Rubicon Peak West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Minor wind slab on E aspect at treeline. Snow surface becoming wet on E aspect at 9,000' just before 11 am. More significant surface wet snow developing on low angle N aspect at 7,500' at 12:15 pm. Forecaster
03/16/2021 - 12:00 Shirley Canyon Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Avalanche Observation Guide
Alpenglow Expeditions
03/16/2021 - 12:00 Crag Peak Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Avalanche Observation 12:00 pm with additional loose wet avalanches having occurred since the first photo at 10:45 am 10:45 am with a few loose wet avalanches present. Forecaster
03/16/2021 - 09:00 Horse Meadow Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/15/2021 - 12:30 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Cornice kicks released loose dry sluffing within the new storm snow with no propagation. More loose dry sluffing with little wind slab development observed. Natural loose dry sluffing below cornice Forecaster
03/14/2021 - 12:00 Elephants Back Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/14/2021 - 11:15 Talking Mountain Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation Wind affected snow surfaces in open areas in near and above treeline terrain Mostly cloudy skies throughout the morning Wind scoured areas on the Talking - Becker ridgeline Melt-freeze crusts and frozen surfaces on the southerly aspects. Runnels in the snow surface indicating drainage through the snowpack on a sunny SE facinng slope Forecaster

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