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
01/26/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Pass and Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Ski cut on wind loaded test slope above treeline producing no signs of instability.Intentionally collapsing cornice pieces onto wind loaded slopes near the summit of Andesite Pk produced no slab failure, just entraining of loose dry snow. Forecaster
01/25/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Minor storm slab cracking on slightly upside down storm snow 6 in below surface.Pit dug at top of below treeline avalanche path producing all ECTN results.Maximum extent of cracking seen in near or above treeline wind slab features.Ski cutting on wind slab test slopes produced either very minor or no results. Forecaster
01/25/2018 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Stubburn wind slabs with cracking and shooting cracks in wind loaded terrain. Many large cornice drops on slopes caused shooting cracks but no slab release. East Ridge of Tamarack.Wind textured surface snow on Far East Ridge.ECTP-29 failing into the old snow. A layer of F hard snow existed below old surface crust. 9300', N aspect.Avalanche debris from early in the storm almost entirely covered up. Cornice failure and/or wind slab avalanche release. 9300', N aspect. Forecaster
01/24/2018 - 23:30
Avalanche Observation 		Lake of the Woods.
Independence Lake Area
Digging into the crown to look at the faceted failure layer.
Subtle line of mostly filled in crown visible ~ 10 ft down slope of person in photo.
Looking down the avalanche path.
 Forecaster
01/24/2018 - 14:28
Snowpack Observation 		Wildflower Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Public
01/24/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Blowing snow below treeline.Blowing snow near summit of Rubicon Peak. Fresh wind slabs below summit pinnacle on E aspect.Signs of small wind slabs forming with redistribution of old snow on the ground.Obvious plumes of blowing snow on Dick's Peak as seen from the saddle on the S side of Rubicon's summit. Forecaster
01/24/2018 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Lower Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area
Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
01/24/2018 - 08:50
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake peak
Carson Pass Area 		Public
01/23/2018 - 15:14
Snowpack Observation 		East Lincoln
Donner Summit Area 		Public
01/23/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Squaw Ridge
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
01/23/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Visible horizontal line mid sample is the buried surface hoar layer at snowpit location.Windward slopes with up to 6'' of available snow for wind transport tomorrow. Forecaster
01/23/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		False color image showing small skier triggered cracking due to the surface hoar failure in an area where the 4cm of snow above the surface hoar was slightly denser. N aspect 7600 ft. Wind scoured surfaces along the ridgeline at 7800 ft. Forecaster
01/23/2018 - 10:32
Snowpack Observation 		meiss
Carson Pass Area 		Public
01/22/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Pass/Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
Donner Summit Avalanche Semina
01/22/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small cracking on above a ENE wind-loaded slope near the summit of AndesiteSkier-triggered pinwheels at 8000 ft. Forecaster

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