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
12/09/2021 - 15:03
Avalanche Observation 		NE Face of Elephants Back
Carson Pass Area 		D2 wind slab naturally triggered Filled in skin track from earlier in the day. Public
12/09/2021 - 12:25
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Small cracks shooting out from my ski tips on a wind-loaded test slope. The location of our first test pit. ECTN at our first test pit. The facets were still weak there was just not enough of a slab on top of them. PST 40/100 SF on the November 9 facets at our first test pit. The location of our second and third test pits. It had similar snowpack structure but a little more wind loading. PST 25/100 SF on the Nov 9 facets at our second test pit location. RB6 on the Nov 9 facets at the third test pit location. Tamarack Lake had ice all the way across but it looked pretty thin. Forecaster
12/09/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Frog Lake Cliffs
Carson Pass Area 		Still running water in creeks along the way towards Elephants Back. Snow was close to the minimum necessary for skinning in much of the area we travelled today. ECTN. The weak facets are still there but this ECT did not propagate. Looking down on a PST 20/100 SF The SF crack is visible on the surface. (SF = Slab Fracture where the overlying slab is too uncohesive to keep the fracture below it. Evidence of wind on the fresh snow. Evidence of previous freezing rain. Professional Observer
12/08/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack
Mount Rose Area 		Thin breakable crust on the snow surface. The new snow from 12/6-12/7 was just below this thin crust. Rime coated most of the trees on the upper elevations of Tamarack A small surface hoar grain on the thin mist/rain crust on the snow surface. The Nov 9 facets in the snowpack. Forecaster
12/07/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Old facets under surface crust at 7,500', now wet from rain and gaining strength. Roller balls in new wet snow at pit location, 8,680'. Nov 9 facet layer. Fog at pit location. Snow cover vs bare ground on N vs S aspects at 8,200'. Forecaster
12/06/2021 - 14:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Pass
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Outdoor Adventure Cl
12/06/2021 - 11:15
Snowpack Observation 		Frog Lake Cliffs
Carson Pass Area 		Nov 9 facet layer that appears in poor condition to handle new snow loading. 12 inches of boot penetration into weak snowpack near snowpit site. Forecaster
12/06/2021 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Ebbets Peak
Ebbetts Pass Area 		Professional Observer
12/05/2021 - 13:33
Snowpack Observation 		Waterhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Looking W-NW from the small knob at 9000. These slopes had a sun roughened surface texture. The clear line of snow to the south of the summit. The north facing slopes of Stevens Peak. Impressively weak facets just under the surface. Professional Observer
12/05/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		North facing slopes near 8000'. Snowpit location. Well shaded N aspect at 8,000'. N aspect avalanche path at about 7,800' with patchy snow cover. East face of Silver Peak Looking out towards the Sierra Crest Forecaster
12/04/2021 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Freel Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Public
12/04/2021 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Round Top
Carson Pass Area 		Look at coverage near Round Top. Continued signs of snow melt. 15-20cm crust on the surface. Snowpit wall. A look at the crusts and facet layers. Punchy crusts along the way. Professional Observer
12/04/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tinkers Knob
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Snow coverage on N and E aspects Ice axe and crampons were needed to move through some of this terrain. Occasional breakable crusts existed Snow coverage near Tinkers Knob Forecaster
12/03/2021 - 11:15
Snowpack Observation 		Maggies Peak
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Patchy snow coverage above 8200' towards South Peak Snow coverage on summer trail at 8000' View south into Desolation Wilderness Forecaster
12/02/2021 - 12:09
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack peak/fireplug
Mount Rose Area 		Snow coverage and signs of past large avalanches Inadequate coverage for ski travel Striated facets below crust on NE aspect Public

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