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.

Multiple Natural Slides on Rubicon

Location Name: East Side of Rubicon Peak Region: West Shore Area Observation Date & Time: Monday, January 16, 2023 - 11:00
Location: 38.992546, -120.128032 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Recent Loading Recent Loading›More Than a Foot of New Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

On our way up the skin track we noticed a few small natural slides on convex rollovers.

The slides didn't run more than 30 feet. Naturally triggered. NE aspect. 8000' & 8400'.

when we started out it was snowing moderately with no wind. Snowfall decreased as we slowly ascended. Winds were light at the top.

No signs of shooting cracks or whumfing.

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

300cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

On the surface

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Storm Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Storm Snow

Additional number of similar avalanches:

Trigger

Trigger:

Natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

38degrees

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Crown Height:

2 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

50ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

20ft.

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

8000 - 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Light

Wind Direction:

Southeast

Wind Speed:

Light

Sky Cover:

Overcast - Cloudy - 8/8 covered

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Light Snowfall (S1 (S-1 = 1 cm /~.5 in per hour)

Precipitation:

Snow

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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Multiple Natural Slides on Rubicon

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Multiple Natural Slides on Rubicon

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