Avalanche Advisory for 2014-02-09 07:12:31

 Skiing is now an option on Mt Shasta. Yesterday we had up to 12-18 inches, give or take, to play on from 6,500 feet and above. The snow came in heavy which provided decent coverage for the amounts. View the snowpit below dug up at 7,400 feet on Gray Butte. Interesting results came from this location. On a couple tests, weak layers proved to be the extremely dry, hydrophobic dirt layer at the bottom of the snowpack! The other weak layer was at 15cm and due to a density change in the snow. A pervasive ice crust was found in many areas up to 13cm below the surface. Even though stability tests gave moderate results, I feel like the overall avalanche danger is still low due to low snow depth totals and anchoring from bushes, rocks, trees, etc. I will be curious however to see how these layers develop over the next few days and weeks as we get more snow.

Rain runnels began to form below 6,500 feet yesterday beginning at about 1530. A light mist/rain fell all the way up to about 8,000 feet for portions of the afternoon creating wet snow and beginning to saturate the top layers of the snowpack. While this snow is not great for skiing, it's classic Cascade cement and will function as a great base for the rest of our season.

As always when our snowpack is shallow, watch out for objects that can cause injury near the surface of the snow.

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Some trailheads are still accessible by 4 x 4 vehicle. Be cautious of any overnight trips on the mountain with snow involved. Storms can easily dump large amounts of snow to the area and make it difficult to drive off the mountain! While Northgate, Brewer Ck and Clear Ck trailheads are officially closed, the bathrooms are still open with packout bags inside, and one can still access the Mt Shasta Wilderness. However, your summit pass and wilderness permits must be purchased at McCloud or Mt Shasta Ranger Stations. NO DOGS are allowed in the Mt Shasta Wilderness OR Sierra Club Property. Thanks!

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Terrain:  Remember most of the terrain that we like to play on is greater than 30 degrees.  Avalanches are possible on anything steeper than 30 degrees.  Avoid cornices, rock bands, terrain traps and runout zones of avalanche paths.

Weather:  Most of our areas avalanche danger will occur 24-48 hours after a storm. We still can see persistent weak layers from time to time and we always will be sure to let you know about that!  Heed the basic signs: Wind (significant snow transport and depositions), Temperature (rain/snow/rain/snow, which in turn weakens the snowpack), and Precipitation (Snow or rain add weight and stress to the current snowpack).

Snowpack:  If snow accumulates, give the snowpack a chance to adjust to the new snow load before you play on or near steep slopes (greater than 30 degrees).  Most direct action avalanches occur within 24-48 hours of recent snowfall.  Watch for obvious signs of snowpack instability such as recent natural avalanche activity, collapsing of the snowpack (often associated with a “whumphing” sound), and shooting cracks. If you see these signs of instability, limit your recreation to lower angle slopes.

Human Factor: Don’t forget to carry and know how to use avalanche rescue gear. You should NOT be skiing or climbing potential avalanche slopes without having beacons, shovels, and probes.  Only one person in a group should be exposed to potential avalanche danger at a time.  Remember, climbing, skiing, and riding down the edge of slopes is safer than being in the center.  Just because another person is on a slope doesn’t mean that it is safe.  Be an individual!  Make your own decisions.  Heed the signs of instability: rapid warming, “whumphing” noises, shooting cracks, snowing an inch an hour or more, rain, roller balls, wind loading, recent avalanche activity.