Avalanche Advisory for 2013-12-15 07:18:45

Mt. Shasta and mountinous areas west of I-5 look like giant heaps of salt and pepper... defined: salt = snow, pepper = rocks!  Patchy snow up to 7 inches deep can be found above 6,500 feet. The Everitt Memorial Highway, past the locked gate at Bunny Flat, is covered in snow and would allow cross-country skiing for 3 miles up into the Old Ski Bowl parking lot. The Sand Flat winter trails are also covered in a small amount of snow and folks have been xc-skiing out there. The west side of the forecast area has less snow. I was able to drive all the way to Cedar Lake a few days ago and walked the remaining distance into Cliff Lake. Ice skating was good here, with a couple inches of light density snow on top of solid, smooth ice. Castle Lake is partially frozen and no skiing being had there currently. Warmer temperatures in recent days is shrinking our already meager snowpack... if you could even call it a snowpack! Waiting for snow...

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.