Avalanche Advisory for 2015-01-04 06:10:34

**...emitting a long, deep sigh...** Can somebody check the calendar for me? I'd like to try my hand at some persuasive writing directed at Mother Nature... Dear Mother Nature: We are on our knees, almost on our hands, praying for more snow. There are two really good reasons for this prayer: water and mental health. Both are really important. We understand you just have to do your thing, and perhaps we should just be fortunate for weather at all. Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating. Mother Nature, there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather and all are thankful for this. So if I may give some advice: Advice is like snow - the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, the deeper it sinks into the mind. Thus, I'll keep at it - soft, consistent, fluffy, light advice: Please, let it snow.

One might think the avalanche advisory gets easier with weeks of no new snow, but rather it's the contrary...trying to say the same, similar...different. I'll do my best.

Its a mixed bag out there. All snow available for decent recreation in the forecast area is limited to areas above 6,000 feet. Mt Shasta, Mt Eddy, Castle Lake, Ash Creek Butte all are holding anywhere from 1-6 feet of snow. This snow is a fantastic base ready for some new snow to freshen things up. We've seen a slow transition in surface conditions on Shasta itself where most skiing and other recreation has been taking place. No single snow surface condition dominates and thus one will need a variety of skiing techniques to stylishly shred Shasta's slopes. Inversions over the past week have kept lower elevation temps cooler and mid elevations warmer. Given that and some daytime sunshine, east, southeast and south facing slopes that are out of the wind and at mid elevations have been seeing some softening during the warmest portions of the day, ie. corn snow. Other areas one will find wind packed powder, rough sastrugi, and icy ridgetops/exposed areas. Overall, I would say conditions have improved over the week and numerous reports have come in of decent, smooth skiing if willing to hunt it down.

Avalanche danger-wise: the snow is, if I may say, bomber at this point. If we had to label our current avalanche problems, old wind slabs and wet slabs/sluffs would be appropriate... however that said, we've had no reports, nor have I made any observations of unstable wind or wet slab avalanches over the week. Future concern will lie with new snow on top of firm old snow...This weekend we are expected to get some light precip and new snow accumulation will be minimal. Storm slab avalanches don't seem like they will be a concern at this time, though wind transported snow after the storm may create small wind slabs on leeward slopes near and above treeline. Stay tuned for that potential rise in avalanche danger. 

Smooth and firm snow conditions still persist for folks venturing onto the upper mountain, climbers and skiers alike. A helmet, ice axe and crampons are strongly recommended and self arrest skills mandatory for a safe trip. 

A quad photo spread from Forrest Coots' past weeks adventures on Mt Shasta. Beginning from top left and working clockwise: FC dropping into the East side from Thumb Rock area / South side Shastina ski with Shasta proper in the background / Turns down Avalanche Gulch, approx 11,500 feet / Booting up Avalanche Gulch, nearing Redbanks, approx 12,000 feet. { Photos: Ingmar }

Report your observations to the MSAC! A photo, a few words... send them in! (nimeyers@fs.fed.us or 530-926-9614)

Castle Lake area has a shallow snowpack, but a few folks have been making some turns up there. Be careful of shallow buried objects. Ice skating was reported as "game on"... Cliff Lake is hosting poor skiing, but decent ice skating (back, lookers left portion of the lake is best) as well.

Sand Flat Winter Trails: OPEN

Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: OPEN, however due to lack of low elevation snow, one must drive up the road several miles before enough snow is encountered. One CANNOT DRIVE over Military Pass.

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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.

The Five Red Flags of Avalanche Danger any time of year include:  1) Recent/current avalanche activity  2) Whumpfing sounds or shooting cracks  3) Recent/current heavy snowfall  4) Strong winds transporting snow  5) Rapid warming or rain on snow.