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
12/12/2016 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Pk
Mount Rose Area 		lower 2" semi supportable rain crust180cm of snow below summitFacet layer above old crust at approx 60 cmloose facetssemi-clumping facetsECTP-8 facet layer propogates when isolated from new snow Public
12/12/2016 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		South Side of Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Firm icy slopes on Castle PeakDebris left from water coming up out of the snowpack and flowing across the surface.A piece of the crust sawed out of the snowpack. Forecaster
12/12/2016 - 10:10
Snowpack Observation 		Ophir Cr Avx Path
Mount Rose Area 		Guide
Donner Summit Avalanche Semina
12/11/2016 - 15:45
Snowpack Observation 		The Saddle - CLOSED AREA - Mt. Rose
Mount Rose Area 		Forecaster
12/11/2016 - 15:45
Snowpack Observation 		Northwest Face of Chickadee Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		Public
12/11/2016 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak NW Shoulder
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/11/2016 - 13:31
Snowpack Observation 		Crater Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Pic 1: Reflection from crust layer on the surface.Pic2/3: Shows the 15cm thick layer at top of packPic2/3: Here is the same layer on its side after PST.Pic 4: Facets at the bottom of snowpack Professional Observer
12/10/2016 - 17:00
Avalanche Observation 		Elephants Back
Carson Pass Area
Looking down on the slide from the bench.
Looking up and slightly south from the bench.
Many refrigerator blocks of strong cohesive snow where present in the debris. This block travelled approximated 200 feet.
Three different crown step down features present here. Snow was blowing in and about a foot of wind drifted snow makes the lowest crown appear smaller than it was.
Excavating the lowest crown. The base of this was ice and ground with facets present.
The toe of the debris pile from the side.
Looking up at the slide.
 Professional Observer
12/10/2016 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Public
12/10/2016 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Hourglass Bowl
Mount Rose Area 		Public
12/10/2016 - 10:18
Avalanche Observation 		Mt. Rose Chutes - CLOSED AREA
Mount Rose Area
Starting zone on the upper avalanche path after the afternoon avalanche release. This is a mix of the morning and afternoon crowns. Note how the crown steps down into different layers.
Closeup of the crown.
Overview of the upper starting zone
Smaller avalanche from the afternoon in an adjacent path.
Close up of the small crown in the lower adjacent path
Looking down the slope to the debris pile.
Looking up from the debris. Photo by Andrew Pinkham
The confluence of debris where the skier was found. The person is standing next to the burial location.
Standing in the hole where the skier was buried. He was buried prone in the area at my feet.
 Forecaster
12/09/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Alhambra Mine
Carson Pass Area 		Running water at approximately 8800 feet near Stevens Peak.Rime or snow dusting southwest aspect of Stevens Peak.Approximately 3mm striated facets at base of snowpack in this location. Professional Observer
12/09/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Forecaster
12/09/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rocks
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Forecaster
12/08/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Shooting cracks on a wind loaded test slope just before a wind slab failure on that slope.The next ski kick triggered the rest of the wind slab. Forecaster

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