Avalanche Advisory for 2015-01-30 07:02:10

The skiing and riding have been excellent over the last week as sunny skies, and relatively warm daytime temperatures have kept the melt/freeze cycle rolling right along.  With the current temperatures, snow has been softening up at elevations from 9000-10,800 feet at 12:30-1:30 p.m.  Sun Bowl, Powder Bowl, Giddy-Giddy, and South aspects of Casaval Ridge have been providing the most desirable conditions.  At elevations above 11,000 feet the window for corn snow is much smaller or non-existent as daytime temperatures haven't been high enough to soften up the snow surface.  Saturday's slight warming will provide the best opportunity for corn skiing at those higher elevations.  No signs of snow instability were observed yesterday (Thursday) or over the week in the form of wet/loose slides or roller balls/pinwheels.  Wet/loose instabilities are unlikely today. 

Climbers headed onto the upper mountain will find smooth and firm snow surface conditions presenting the possibility for "slide for life" incidents... probably goes without saying, but bring your crampons, helmet, and ice axe. WEAR A HELMET! No instabilities have been observed or recorded on the upper mountain.

To summarize, concerns for skiing and climbing on Shasta will be: 1) While unlikely today, remember that wet/loose snow instabilities can form on warm days with high overnight temperatures in the form of roller balls, pinwheels, small point releases and surface sluffs on sun warmed slopes steeper than 35 degrees. 2) Rime and water ice melting/flaking off exposed rocks and falling onto one below 3) Smooth and firm upper mountain conditions posing the threat for a slide for life should one slip and fall. 

Below: A few photos from the Powder Bowl area on the south side of Mt Shasta, 1.29.15 Photos: J Dove

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. Be careful of shallow buried objects. Skiing has been reported as poor to non-existent.

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.