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
01/23/2021 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak - Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Blackbird Mountain Guid
01/23/2021 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Public
01/23/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Shallow (3-4") and isolated cracking, a short ways above the Old Donner Summit parking area. This N-facing slope on Wildflower Ridge was loaded by SW winds, but the surface texture also indicates being affected by the NE winds during our tour. Cracking in a 1'-deep wind drift on the W side of the Mt. Judah ridgeline, loaded by NE winds. Scoured crust at the very top of Mt. Judah's east face. Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
01/23/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Touchy wind slabs, long cracks also extended ahead of the skier in this photo. The ridge traversed in the video. Blowing snow. Forecaster
01/22/2021 - 14:30
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Facets Public
01/22/2021 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Far East Ridge of Tamarack
Mount Rose Area 		Ice exposed from wind scouring on Tamarack Lake Low level clouds obscuring the view across Lake Tahoe to the Sierra Crest. Breakable crust on a sheltered N facing slope. Forecaster
01/21/2021 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake e
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
01/21/2021 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Good quality spring snow existed between the many present obstacles. Thin coverage with mostly un-skiable conditions on the south side of Castle Peak. SE aspects off of Lunch Rock are thin with barely skiable snow. Northerly aspects have a firm rain crust. Forecaster
01/21/2021 - 06:00
Avalanche Observation 		Flagpole Peak
Echo Summit Area 		Public
01/21/2021 - 02:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Pass
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Outdoor Adventure Cl
01/20/2021 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Elephant's Hump
Carson Pass Area 		Pit profile @ 8300' Crust directly above Dec. 11th layer Firm surface crust. Professional Observer
01/20/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Picketts Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Approaching through the forest there was plenty of evidence of the recent wind event, including these pine needles stuck in animal prints in the snow. Popping out on the ridge and look to to the south. The north facing slopes in the distance look much more wintery than the dry south facing slope we are standing on top of. This pit is from two weeks ago but shows almost not evidence of surface changes (no new snow). Shallow snowpack with well developed facets in the bottom 40 cms. Large facets with striations at the bottom of the snowpack. Professional Observer
01/20/2021 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		~ 1 inch of soft wet snow on top of a firm and supportable refrozen snowpack Debris littered the snow surface from the recent NE wind event Overall the snowpack is shallow on sunny southerly facing slopes. Firm icy surfaces on E facing aspects. Only the south facing slopes softened on our tour. Forecaster
01/19/2021 - 10:45
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		First of three down trees easily seen while traveling Castle Rd to Castle Pass. Second of three down trees seen while traveling Castle Rd to Castle Pass. Forecaster
01/17/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Mount Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
Alpenglow Expeditio

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