The last avalanche forecast for the 2023-2024 season posted on April 21st. Thank you to all who contributed to the avalanche center this season through observations, volunteer time, and/or financial contributions.

Avalanche on Red Lake Knob

Location Name: Above Red Lake just below the Knob Region: Carson Pass Area Observation Date & Time: Thursday, December 30, 2021 - 12:30
Location: 38.688623, -119.976666 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Recent Loading›More Than a Foot of New Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Touring up to the knob at Red Lake. Near the top there is a steeper rollover. As we skinned up slightly to the south of the steep rollover a crack formed and the the slope to our north slid. The rollover is fairly short so the runout didn't travel more than a few yards. Cracking was evident even on the shallower slope we were on. The slide appeared to be a wind slab in our estimation.

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Wind Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Storm Snow

Trigger

Trigger:

Skier

Trigger Modifier:

Accidentally Triggered

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

33degrees

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Crown Height:

1 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

60ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

100ft.

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

7000 - 8000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Light

Wind Direction:

Southeast

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Sky Cover:

Few - Mostly Clear - up to 2/8 covered

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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Avalanche on Red Lake Knob

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Avalanche on Red Lake Knob

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