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
03/13/2021 - 16:30 Shirley Canyon Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Avalanche Observation Small loose wet avalanche in Shirley Canyon around 3:00pm, on a west aspect near 6700' 12-18" pinwheels in moist snow on a short north-facing slope in Shirley Canyon, around 6700' Guide
Alpenglow Expeditions
03/13/2021 - 12:00 The Nipple Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/13/2021 - 11:00 Ophir Creek Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation N aspects with decent wind protection held unconsolidated recent storm snow. Breakable melt-freeze crust on flat terrain at 9,000' at 9:50am. Solar aspect progressive surface melt at 9,000'. Forecaster
03/12/2021 - 12:35 Stanford Rock Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/12/2021 - 12:30 Carpenter Peak Independence Lake Area Snowpack Observation NE wind scouring on North bowl of Carpenter Peak Blowing snow with small cornice formation and small wind slabs on southerly aspects Dropping cornice chunks on slopes produced no results Moderate blowing snow on exposed ridges and peak Looking north Forecaster
03/12/2021 - 12:00 Tamarack Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/11/2021 - 12:00 Mt. Tallac Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Snowpack Observation Loose dry sluffing was common in steeper terrain Small shooting cracks in wind loaded terrain. Mixed weather-periods of sun, low level clouds, and light snow throughout day. Looking north towards the West Shore Forecaster
03/11/2021 - 12:00 Powderhouse Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Snow pit profile small dry loose slides observed in the highlighted area Public
03/11/2021 - 10:16 Powderhouse Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Testing a steep slope below tree line. No results even after undercutting test slope. Pretty opening near the edge of treelike with very little evidence of wind. While new snow was only a few inches deep near the road, on the loaded side of the summit ridge there was over a foot of soft new snow. No evidence of slab behavior on this above tree line slope. Limited reactivity on very steep test slopes along the ridge and no propagation observed beyond my ski. Professional Observer
03/11/2021 - 09:30 Johnson Canyon Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/10/2021 - 22:30 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Avalanche Observation Wind slab avalanche intentionally triggered. Only 4 to 6 inches deep but propagated 25 ft wide. Shooting cracks up to 10' long in wind loaded area. Ridgetop skin tracks nearly fully erased after an hour. Steep, wind loaded N aspect terrain that we watched another party descend into, possibly triggering an avalanche. Forecaster
03/10/2021 - 14:30 Incline Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/10/2021 - 13:30 Meiss Ridge Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation Ski tracks filled in by blowing snow and new snow within 2 hours Wind slab and possible loose dry avalanche under cornice formation on Meiss Ridge Same wind slab avalanche activity under cornice formation on Meiss Ridge Three observed slides Public
03/10/2021 - 13:30 Meiss Meadows Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/10/2021 - 12:00 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation 1 to 2 ft deep wind slab failure triggered by ski kick on this test slope. Small wind slab and sluff on a wind-loaded test slope. The left side sluffed and entrained about 12-18 inches of new snow but did not propagate beyond my ski. The right side cracked and propagated anout 20 ft to the right but was only about 6 inches deep on that side. 6-8 inch deep wind slab on a wind loaded test slope. 6 inch deep crack triggered on another wind loaded test slope. Blowing snow and low visibility along the Castle/Basin Ridge A small storm slab on a test slope likely from yesterday. Forecaster

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