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
01/23/2016 - 11:55
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Meadows
Donner Summit Area 		Forecaster
12/14/2019 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite peak
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/02/2017 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Photo 1: Average height of snow near summit of AndesitePhoto 2: South Face of Castle Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
12/26/2016 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Forecaster
03/01/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		A long shooting crack on an open slope loaded by NE winds. The crack goes from where the photo was taken to the person in the red jacket. Wind scouring by the NE winds Another shooting crack on a cross-loaded SE aspect in near treeline terrain Shooting crack triggered on low angle slope loaded by the NE winds in near treeline terrain 3 ft thick wind slab resting on softer storm snow on top of an old firm crust. Forecaster
03/18/2018 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		RB4 near Andesite Peak Public
03/19/2021 - 13:28
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		crown below cornice fall triggered Avalanche Debris Side view of crown Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
04/21/2018 - 09:30
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Poor snow surface refreeze on open E aspect at 7,600'. About 3 inches of weak crust on top of 3 inches of residual storm snow on top of older melt-freeze crust. Residual wet snow in the deeper snowpack. Skier triggered roller balls on mid slope avalanche path on Andesite Peak. NE aspect at 7,900' at 9:15 am. Skier triggered roller balls on the summit of Andesite Peak. NE aspect at 9:45 am. Forecaster
03/22/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Shooting crack on an E - NE facing wind-loaded slope at 8100 ft. Rain runnels at 7500'. Large cornice drops did not cause wind slab failure. Heavy, wet, deep snow existed at 8200' on the top of Andesite. Forecaster
12/01/2022 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Cracking where the new snow failed on the old facets on a previously undercut slope on an E-facing meadow below treeline. Near treeline avalanche path with facets below the new snow. We did not go into this area. Cracking in the new wind loaded snow on a wind-loaded test in exposed upper elevation terrain. Small wind slab failure on a wind loaded test slope in exposed upper elevation terrain. This failed on a weakness within the storm snow. Poor visibility caused by clouds and blowing snow. There are still plenty of rocks near the surface in this area. Forecaster
03/25/2020 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small D1 wind slab avalanche intentionally triggered. Propagation of wind slab to right flank. Small wind slab failure on small test slope. 8-10'' wind slabs failing on a buried graupel layer. Small loose dry sluffing on slopes >35 degrees. Forecaster
01/03/2017 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Pointing at the old/new snow interface.Pointing at facets near the Dec 15 rain crust. Forecaster
02/26/2019 - 06:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		NE aspect below treeline with 2 to 3 ft crown visible. Slope angle ranged from 32 to 44 degrees. Skier's left side of crown and debris. Skier's right side of crown and debris. Crown of 2-3 feet with 8 inches of storm snow on bed surface. ECTX and CTH-Broken results in crown at 11:45am. This is the maximum amount of cracking we observed today in areas of wind slab. Ski cuts such as this in wind loaded terrain above treeline produced no results. Forecaster
04/28/2023 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		D1 wet loose avalanche triggered by a ski cut above the slope on an ENE aspect @ 11:00 am Small sluff of wet snow triggered by a ski kick above the slope @10:45 am. Another small wet loose avalanche triggered by a ski cut above a NE facing slope @ 11:15 am. Ankle-deep wet snow on an E aspect at 10:15 am. Runnels in the snow surface indicating melt water draining through the snowpack Forecaster
01/13/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Active wind loading continuing over the higher ridges and peaks. Cracking on new cornice formation. Minor cracking in newly forming wind slabs today. Recent storm snow on top of the Jan 4 rain crust. NE aspect at 7800' in open treed location. Forecaster

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