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
12/15/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Border Ruffian
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
12/14/2021 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Waterhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		100+cm Boot pen. Shooting cracks through storm snow. Professional Observer
12/14/2021 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		4+ ft of new snow had accumulated on the lower elevations of Andesite with more at the higher elevations. Minor cracking in a soft wind slab on a wind-loaded E facing test slope around 8100 ft on Andesite Peak Wind-loaded test slope on Andesite Peak. Ski kicks released small pieces of cornice that then triggered small sluffs in the new snow on this slope. It looked like there was buried debris at the bottom of the slope indicating that it had avalanched sometime during the storm. Wind-loaded slope where I could trigger loose snow sluffs by pushing snow onto the slope with my pole from a safe spot above the slope. It looked like there was buried debris at the bottom of this slope as well. Forecaster
12/14/2021 - 11:15
Snowpack Observation 		Johnson Canyon
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
West Wind Collecti
12/14/2021 - 01:01
Avalanche Observation 		Relay Ridgeline
Mount Rose Area 		Public
12/13/2021 - 15:35
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Rose Highway
Mount Rose Area 		Public
12/13/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Pickett Peak
Woodfords Canyon 		Professional Observer
12/13/2021 - 11:10
Avalanche Observation 		Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Intentional trigger point for 900' wide R5 avalanche on Dec 11 layer. Avalanche failed across all of this terrain and more out of sight in the background. Terminus of cracks, just under 900' from trigger point, going down to Dec 11 layer. Cracks and debris More cracks and debris Still more cracks and debris Cracking and whumpfing while breaking trail. Digging out a crack down to the Dec 11 facet layer while breaking trail. Forecaster
12/13/2021 - 10:00
Avalanche Observation 		Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Natural wind slab avalanche most likely caused by cornice collapse Wide propagation wrapping around terrain features Avalanche debris running down into larger gully feature. Avalanche debris Forecaster
12/12/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		50 foot long shooting crack on wind loaded NE aspect near treeline. 4F+ hard slab over F hard old snow. Wind loaded road cut test slope with only 1 inch of old snow below new slab, but enough to allow shooting cracks over smooth ground. If we undercut the road cut test slope with a track, these cracking wind slabs would move a short distance down the test slope. Forecaster
12/11/2021 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Recent wind scouring showing previous rain crust Small wind slabs forming from recent blowing snow. 4-6mm surface hoar below 8000', with decomposing and wind destroyed V at upper elevations. Pit wall showing layering Forecaster
12/11/2021 - 08:10
Avalanche Observation 		Base of Elephants Back
Carson Pass Area 		Public
12/10/2021 - 11:03
Avalanche Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		First wind slab triggered R1D1 2nd wind slab triggered by another party. R2-D2. Guide
Blackbird Mountain Guid
12/10/2021 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Black Butte
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
12/10/2021 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		The mid section is made up of decomposing rain crusts and weak faceted snow. Weak snowpack structure is pretty consistent from below treeline to near treeline terrain on NW-N-NE aspects Small cracking around skis failing on a small thin crust below the recent storm snow. Forecaster

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