Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Near and above treeline, pockets of MODERATE danger continue to exist along the Sierra Crest on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to lingering wind slabs. For all other areas, avalanche danger is LOW.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Much like yesterday, pockets of unstable wind slab are expected to continue to linger mainly along the Sierra Crest in near and above treeline terrain on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Pockets of instability will exist within surrounding areas of seemingly stable snow. Traveling on thin portions of the slab near trigger points such as exposed rocks or on slopes previously undercut by ski/snowmobile tracks will increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche. Very little evidence of instability is expected to exist in the backcountry today. Once again, do not allow a lack of instability clues to lead to lazy or half hearted backcounty travel techniques. Anyone triggering an avalanche today will most likely be taken by surprise. Act like a pro by traveling one at time in avalanche terrain and moving from one high quality island of safety to the next.

Avalanche Discussion

A skier triggered wind slab avalanche occurred yesterday near Elephant's Back in the Carson Pass area on an NE aspect around 8,900' in near treeline terrain on a 40 degree slope. The crown measured less than 1 foot deep, approximately 120' wide and ran approximately 270' down slope. The avalanche was triggered in an area of exposed rocks by the second skier to descend the slope. The slope had been previously undercut by a traversing skin track about 100' below (photo, more info). The use of one at a time travel by this party despite a perception of stable conditions helped to keep any consequences to a minimum.

Recent observations from around the forecast area tend to point towards stable snowpack conditions. Occasional outliers of isolated avalanche activity and isolated cracking in previously undercut areas are the reminder that unstable wind slabs are still out there. The take home message is that pockets of instability exist within larger surrounding areas of stable snow. Manage terrain accordingly.

Regions covered