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
03/10/2021 - 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
03/09/2021 - 14:09 East shore East Shore Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/09/2021 - 12:00 Deep Creek Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Slough from kicking a small wind lip Small cornice on NE aspect + small natural loose dry slide Public
03/09/2021 - 12:00 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Minor storm slab cracking noted on the approach. Failure on plate snow crystals within the lower portion of the new snow. Intentional wind pillow collapse at 11 am that had very little propagation, mostly just entertainment of new snow. A second intentional wind pillow collapse at 1 pm which triggered a small wind slab at the top of the recent new snow (same location as the 11 am collapse).. Thick cloud cover moving in at 11 am. Snow showers visible in the distance towards South Lake Tahoe. Forecaster
03/08/2021 - 12:08 Angora Peak Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/08/2021 - 12:00 Talking Mountain Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation Refrozen cinnamon rolls Windy near summit Gusts of wind moving snow around Echo Lake Professional Observer
03/08/2021 - 12:00 Ophir Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Dense mid level cloud cover Soft unconsolidated snow on northerly aspects Forecaster
03/08/2021 - 11:50 Waterhouse Peak Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Public
03/07/2021 - 13:58 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Avalanche Observation Public
03/07/2021 - 12:00 Unnamed Volcanic Plug Peak above Red Lake Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Buried crust 10cm under surface and 3cm thick Buried crust Public
03/07/2021 - 12:00 Powderhouse Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Public
03/07/2021 - 11:04 Castle peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/07/2021 - 11:00 Stoney Ridge West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Small pinwheels and roller balls triggered by a ski cut on an E facing slope at 11 am ECTN on the softer snow between the 2 crusts near the surface Wind affected snow near the ridge Forecaster
03/07/2021 - 09:30 Shirley Canyon Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Avalanche Observation Terrain where surface instability occurred Close Up of surface instability Another close up of surface instability Educator
Alpenglow Expeditions
03/06/2021 - 15:10 Waterhouse Peak Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Public

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