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
04/07/2017 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Shooting cracks on wind loaded ridgeline near peak. 8200', E aspect.Wind loading with large built out cornices along upper ridge.ECTN's with no propagation in wind loaded terrain, 8100', E aspect. Forecaster
12/29/2018 - 14:15
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Visual outline of the Snowpack on a West Aspect Near Treeline @ 7600' Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
03/30/2014 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Professional Observer
03/13/2018 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Large pinwheels triggered by ski kicks at the top of the slope on a ENE aspect @ 8000 ft. Loose wet sluff mixed with large pinwheels on an E aspect @ 7400 ft. Forecaster
12/09/2020 - 09:45
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Terrain trap in below treeline terrain with weak snow on the surface. More exposed upper elevation terrain that has been scoured. Forecaster
03/31/2013 - 10:15
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Forecaster
03/03/2018 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small wind slab failure. Skin track refillafter 45 min by wind drifted snow on the summit of Andesite Pk. Forecaster
01/15/2017 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Tahoe Mountain Scho
02/05/2023 - 12:30
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Skier triggered wind slab avalanche on a wind-loaded test slope on Andesite Peak. A previous skier had triggered this small wind slab near the summit of Andesite Peak. Skier-triggered storm slab avalanche on a near treeline test slope. Large cornices existed above most wind loaded slopes. This slope also cracked as we approached it from the side. Cracking in the storm snow around our skis. These cracks failed on a density change in the storm snow, the graupel layer at the base of the storm snow, and the buried surface hoar just below the old/new interface. Buried surface hoar on a NE facing slope in below treeline terrain on Andesite Peak. Graupel at the base of the storm snow. Forecaster
12/21/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Wind loaded test slopes showing unreactive slabs. Minor cracking on old/new snow interface while breaking trail. Skier triggered rollerballs after about 2 hrs of very light rain. Forecaster
01/20/2017 - 15:45
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area
D2 Wind slab avalanche triggered by a small cornice piece
Small avalanche triggered by a larger piece of cornice
Cracking in the storm snow on in below treeline terrain
 Forecaster
12/01/2022 - 14:42
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Public
02/11/2023 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		The newly formed winds slabs measured about 10-12 inches at their deepest and quickly got thinner (2 inches thick about 5 ft from my skis) as you moved down slope. More wind slab cracking on the W facing side of Andesite Peak. Small wind slabs had formed on W aspects near the top of Andesite. These cracked when I stepped on them. This wind slab is thickest near the ridge and tapers down to a couple inches thick within 10 feet of the ridge. It was typical of the wind slabs I saw today. Wind scoured surfaces were widespread along the ridge tops. Wind scoured surfaces were widespread along the ridge tops. Wind-sculpted snow surfaces on the E aspects of Andesite Peak. The NE winds were moving snow enough snow in open areas near treeline to fill this skin track in less than 30 minutes. About 2 inches of new snow accumulated on Andesite with closer to 3 inches reported from higher on Castle Peak Forecaster
12/22/2019 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small windslab on test slope Shooting cracks on test slope prior to the small slab releasing Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/18/2016 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		NE wind scouring at 8200' Andesite Peak4'' recent storm snow over firm rain crust. Faceting occuring around recent rain crust.NE wind scouring at 8200' E aspect of peak. Guide
Tahoe Mountain Scho

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