Avalanche on Andesite Peak

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 01/24/2016 - 14:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 59.8668" N, 120° 21' 58.7448" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Educator at Tahoe Mountain School
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Slab
Slope: 
36degrees
Trigger type: 
Snowboarder
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
East
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
20ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
8 100ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
40ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 
Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Test slope failure on Andesite Peak
Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

 

Small avalanche intentially released on a test slope. Ski cutting produced a D1 size soft slab avalanche on an easterly aspect above treeline on Andesite Peak. Avalanche ran on a layer within in the new snow about 30cm down. 

SS-NS-ARc-D1