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
04/01/2021 - 11:30 South Side Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation South side Castle Peak S side gully features N side of Castle still wind scoured, transitional, with some winter snow. Small roller balls by noon on E aspects Wet and deep snow developing on E aspects by noon Forecaster
04/01/2021 - 10:00 Mt Tallac Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Snowpack Observation In the trees I could push the basket side of my ski pole past the supportable crust layer. The snow was impenetrable to skis on my approach, and was still supportable but sticky on my exit at 11am. Lots of texture in the snow above treeline, which may develop into sun cups with continued warm temps. The main South Bowl had previous tracks and fallen cornice chunks, but there were still smooth lines available. Nearing my transition point around 10am, the snow in a wind sheltered gully was becoming wet 3-4" from the surface. Professional Observer
04/01/2021 - 10:00 Elephants Back Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Solid frozen surface conditions at 8am in an opening of trees at 8700 feet. Roundtop looking good. Cornice over Elephants Graveyard. No significant recent broken chunks observed. Steep E and NE terrain on Elephants Back at 9400 feet holding firm winter snow. Much softer conditions around 8600 feet and below tree line. Lower in the trees roller balls were occurring on S, E, and NE aspects. Professional Observer
03/31/2021 - 13:10 Meiss Meadow Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Melt freeze crust @ 8000' on westerly aspect. Old wind effected snow that was softening. Exposed hazards mid-slope. Breakable crust in shaded areas of trees on E-NE aspects. Rocky ridgeline and depleting cornices above Meiss meadow. Professional Observer
03/31/2021 - 12:00 Houghton and Tamarack Peaks Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/31/2021 - 11:30 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Frozen surfaces on N Apsects Wet snow on sunny slopes and previous wet loose instabilities. 1-3 inches of soft wet snow on a SE aspect at 8000 ft. Looking acorss at wind-scoured snow and raised tracks on E and NE aspects. Wet snow on sunny SE aspects and still frozen snow on N aspects. Forecaster
03/30/2021 - 12:00 Incline Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation 3'' surface melt freeze crust at noted Lat/Long. SE/E side of Incline Peak with decreasing snow coverage North aspects stayed firm and cold with strong NE winds blowing on them. Forecaster
03/30/2021 - 10:00 Raslton/Talking ridge Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/29/2021 - 23:30 Rubicon Pk West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Skier triggered roller balls on wind protected below treeline E aspect near 8,700' at 11:40 am. Very poor overnight refreeze under forest canopy on N aspect at around 7,000' at 10 am. More than a few inches of surface wet snow near 8,600' on E aspect open below terrain at 11:45 am. Forecaster
03/29/2021 - 13:50 Elephant's Back Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Melt Freeze crusts in shaded areas. Boot Pen @ 5cm on S facing aspect. Brush and rocks exposed on solar aspects. Boot Pen @ 10-20cm on S facing aspect @ 8000' Professional Observer
03/28/2021 - 10:50 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Pinwheels and rollerballs intentionally triggered by a ski cut on a E aspect around 7,800' at 10:50 am. 3 to 4 inch thick surface refreeze overnight on open slopes at 7,300'. Thin surface melt-freeze crust over recent storm snow on N aspect at 7,800'. Very small natural wet loose avalanche from yesterday (3/27) on a NE aspect at around 7,500'. Forecaster
03/27/2021 - 11:45 Steven's Peak Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Pinwheel triggered by ski turn on E aspect at about 8,300'. Surface wet snow on moderate slope angle N aspect at about 8,000' Cornice immediately south of Steven's Peak, heavily NE wind scoured but still capable of collapse. Forecaster
03/27/2021 - 11:30 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Loose wet activity under ski cut on test slope, East aspect around 7700' at 11:30am Loose wet activity under ski cut on test slope, East aspect around 7700' at 11:30am. Pole is 130cm. Guide
Alpenglow Expeditions
03/26/2021 - 13:00 Red Lake Peak Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/26/2021 - 11:00 Mt. Judah Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation NE wind scouring in near treeline terrain Wind scouring in below treeline terrain Firm snow at 11am on south side of Judah Forecaster

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