Avalanche Advisory for 2016-03-27 06:47:26

Yesterday started off relatively clear, but the clouds didn't waist to much time encircling Mount Shasta limiting visibility above treeline.  Temperatures rose over the course of the day, and some light rain/mist was observed all the way up to around 10,000 feet. The show surface conditions were hard and icy in the morning, then softened in the afternoon.  Boot penetration of 10-15 cm was recorded.  There were no signs of any wind slab instabilities as the warm temperatures and light precipitation helped with continued bonding with underlying snow.  We are making the transition into late season conditions where warming daytime temperatures and cool overnight refreezes are more common.  This will begin to produce the famous Shasta corn snow that will make for great skiing/riding conditions this spring.  That being said, winter is not over yet despite what the calendar may say.  There is a cold front that will push into the area later today, and into tonight bringing the threat of some light precipitation.  We will only receive a dusting of new snow with this system, and the accompanying winds will blow the snow around or completely away.  Avalanche danger will not likely be affected by any new snow with this storm.  Continue to use normal caution as lingering wind slabs may be present at higher elevations (above 10,000 feet).  They will be found in the usual locations along ridge lines, around rock outcrops, and the tops of chutes.  They will be most sensitive on steeper slopes of 37 degree or more.  Lower elevations will not present any noteworthy hazards.  The cooling temperatures will prevent any loose wet snow instabilities for today, and tomorrow.  Just because the avalanche danger is LOW, don't let your guard down. Practice safe travel techniques, and use good group communication. 

Observations made at Castle Lake a couple of days ago noted melting lake edges. This is actually a serious concern... if one gets caught or knocked off their feet in any type of avalanche and the slide makes it's way down to lake level... well, lets just say it's very difficult if not impossible to dig somebody out from underneath slushy water. In other words, melting lake edges are horrible terrain traps! Be careful up there.

The snow's surface up in Old Ski Bowl.  Note the wind's affect on the snow's surface forming sastrugi (3-26-2016):

View up into Old Ski Bowl from the top of Gray Butte. Note the cornices that have formed on the top of SE facing ridge line (3-26-2016):

Snow banners rippling off of the ridge tops was prevalent across the forecast area (3-25-2016):

A note for all climbers and skiers heading up onto the upper mountain: Rime ice has formed on most rock outcroppings and is currently very thick. As warm days ensue, rime ice will flake off and fall down onto the slopes below. Rime ice chunks can be very large and very hard, enough to potentially kill you or cause serious injury. Beware of this hazard. Keep your eyes up slope as you climb and move laterally to avoid falling chunks of ice.  If continuous ice fall is encountered turn around and descend to climb another day!

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LOCAL AREA ROAD, NORDIC, AND SNOWMOBILE PARK STATUS:

The Sand Flat cross country ski trails are in good shape and ready for your cross country skis and snow shoes.  These are backcountry routes marked with blue diamonds on trees.  Trails are not groomed.  Snow shoers, please blaze a parallel trail to cross country skiers staying out of the skin track.  These trails can be accessed via the Everett Memorial Highway.  Thank you, and enjoy!

The Mt. Shasta Nordic Center is open! These beautiful, groomed trails can be accessed via the Ski Park Highway. http://www.mtshastanordic.org

The Pilgrim Creek & Deer Mountain Snowmobile Parks are open!  Trails have not been groomed in the past week and a half due to constant deep snow fall.  Head to our "Education" tab on our website and find the snowmobile section for trail information, grooming status, and other sledder resources.

The Castle Lake Road is OPEN. The Everett Memorial Highway is OPEN. The Castle Lake and Everett Hwy are plowed year round to the trailheads. The roads are not always first priority, so your dawn patrol powder mission might be ceased if the plow has not made it up yet. Siskiyou County does a great job keeping the roads clear and be respectful of the plow drivers if you encounter them. If you get to Bunny Flat before or during when the plow is there, please park on the uphill, LEFT side of the parking lot as you drive in. This is uphill and lookers right of the bathrooms. Thank You!

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