Avalanche Advisory for 2015-02-20 06:49:29

Fellow snow enthusiasts of all stripes and makes can celebrate one solid fact:  Mount Shasta, with its tall stature that sets it apart from the surrounding landscape, is an island of snowy bliss.  This winter we've seen erratic weather patterns consisting of significantly wet storm cycles causing large avalanches followed by extended periods of mild, sunny days. Rest assured, there is snow up there to be enjoyed.  Winter, though seeming to only haunt the Eastern United States as of late, has not fully forgotten us here on the West coast.  Though still not a certainty, peering into the NWS crystal ball reveals a glimmer of hope in our future.  Stay tuned for further developements!

One thing that I'm sure we can all agree on is that powder snow is awesome.  I  also think it is safe to argue that good corn snow is a close second when it comes to a surface to glide, slide, ride, and trek over.  That is where Mt. Shasta reigns supreme.  Our corn snow conditions are second to none, and we have been served heaping spoonfuls this winter.  The melt/freeze cycles that provide that sweet corn will continue for at least five to six more days. Observations made from a ski tour yesterday in Avalanche Gulch up to 50/50 flat at about 9,300 feet revealed firm and smooth snow conditions on all but south-southeast facing aspects.  Snow on those south and southeast aspects did soften by 11:30 to provide a good corn ski descent.  All other aspects, all the way down to treeline did not soften significantly.  No snow instabilities of any kind were observed; i.e. wet loose snow slides, roller balls, pin wheels, etc.  That being said, high northerly winds yesterday did blow loose ice crystals about in exposed areas above 9,000 feet.  While certainty is high that not enough snow was transported to develop significant wind slabs, there is potential for small pockets of collected snow in higher, southerly facing starting zones in extreme terrain. While we don't feel these pockets of wind deposited snow are significant enought to list as an actual avalanche problem (wind slab), it's worth mentioning.

Climbing conditions are good. That said, it's still winter and that means cold temps, wind chill factor, ice fall, and smooth/firm snow. If you choose to climb or ski high on the mountain, be prepared. Bring the ten essentials, carry a beacon, shovel and probe as well as an ice axe, crampons and helmet. Greatest concerns are: falling ice chunks off rime ice plastered rocks onto climbers/skiers below and smooth/firm snow creating slide-for-life snow surface condtions. Self arrest skills are mandatory should one slip and fall. The bottom line: Proper prior preparation prevents poor performance! 

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. Skiing is out of the question at this point due to lack of snow. 

Sand Flat Winter Trails: OPEN, trail conditions are firm and getting thin with some tree debris on snow surface. 

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.