Avalanche Advisory for 2016-04-05 06:42:10

The sun was shining bright yesterday, by the cool air that swooped in behind the cold front that passed through kept the day from feeling unseasonable.  The cool temperatures coupled with moderate winds kept the snow in place, and no loose wet snow avalanches were reported.  That is all going to change starting today. Temperatures will begin to climb, and by the afternoon we should reach a level around 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. Wednesday will be warmer, and Thursday warmer still.  This will, in turn, increase the avalanche danger for loose wet snow instabilities.  We typically are worried through the winter of dry slab avalanche problems that take the form of wind slabs, storm slabs, or even persistent slabs.  Loose wet snow avalanche problems such as roller balls, pinwheels, and point release loose wet slides are not generally the big "killers" in the back country.  That does not, however, mean that they should be ignored.  A loose wet slide could entrain enough snow to easily knock a person off of their feet and push them over a cliff, strain them through trees, or push one into a terrain trap where enough snow may gather to easily bury a person.  They consists of wet and heavy snow that could twist a knee, tweak a back, or cause other physical harm as well.  Therefore, loose wet snow instabilities should be on your radar over the coming days.  "Where might these loose wet instabilities be found?" you might be thinking.  You will encounter, and could possibly trigger, loose wet avalanches on sun exposed E-SE-S-SW-W facing aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper during the warmest parts of the day.  You can avoid any incidents involving loose wet snow by continuing to practice safe back country travel techniques.  Space out when crossing steep, sun exposed aspects, identify and ski one at a time to and from "safe zones", and use good group communication. Be smart, stay safe, and have fun out there!

Climbing Conditions: Current climbing conditions are good to great.  Good overnight refreeze has made for firm snow conditions in the morning hours, then softening up some by the afternoon.  Steadily increasing temperatures this week with overnight lows above freezing near and below treeline will limit the potential for snow to refreeze at night.  At higher elevations (11,000 feet and above), however, snow will refreeze overnight and be firm in the morning hours making crampons necessary equipment.  Rime ice is still a concern.  Large chunks of rime ice can do some damage!  Other snow conditions on the mountain consist of scattered scabs of wind effected snow and sastrugi features creating for less than ideal skiing in some areas. Skiers have been reporting great conditions where one may link up sections of smooth snow.  Below treeline, tree wells are starting to show dirt in our lower elevation areas (6,000 feet and below) like Castle Lake. Coverage is still decent, but melting fast with the warm temps.

1. Avalanche Danger & Weather: You may encounter a variety of snow conditions during the spring time.  Late season storms can bring fresh snow and high winds to the mountains. Avalanche danger can quickly spike due to new wind and storm slabs on top of icy, firm melt/freeze snow. Further, warm and sometimes downright hot days can create loose wet avalanches. Low danger in the cool morning hours may rise rapidly to higher danger during the afternoon hours on sunny aspects. These are two different avalanche problems associated with different weather patterns with both being possible during the same week, or even the same day. A beacon, shovel and probe continue to be essential, even during Spring time. Always check the avalanche advisory before starting your climb, and call the ranger station for the latest in weather and conditions. Spring time weather patterns can bring it all.  The point is... you need to bring the appropriate attire to accommodate all weather conditions. Snow, rain, sun, wind... you can count on all of it on Shasta at some point during Spring time. Further, Mt Shasta can often host a cloud cap creating poor visibility conditions. DO NO climb into a white-out. It is very easy to wander off the WRONG side of Mt Shasta when on the upper mountain, >12,500 feet. This can create a long day and perhaps night for climber, party members, rescue resources and family. Play it safe. 
2. Firm and smooth snow (slide for life conditions): Snow conditions on Mount Shasta are great right now. That being said, the snow in the morning hours is quite firm and very smooth. These types of conditions have caused serious injury in the past to those who slip, trip, or fall and fail to self-arrest as they slide.  You MUST know how to self-arrest with an ice axe. This is one of your best defenses for a safe trip on Mt Shasta. Practice this and other climbing skills on small slopes in soft snow along the side of a gully or just above Helen Lake.  Any where will little consequence if you can not stop. If you fall, you must immediately self-arrest or you will take a long, sliding, tumbling fall resulting in serious injury or death. Along with your solid ice axe skills, know how to walk/climb with crampons on.  It is easy to catch the front points of the crampon on the cuff of your pant leg resulting in a fall if you are not careful with each step.
3. Rime Ice: We've been talking about rime ice for over a week now.  What is rime ice? Rime ice forms on rocks, towers, etc. as super cooled water droplets freeze upon contact with a solid object. The ice grows into oncoming wind taking on a cauliflower like appearance. The exposed rocks on Mt Shasta at higher elevations are currently plastered in rime ice. This hazard will diminish as the ice flakes off on warm days, but until then... HEADS UP! You absolutely should wear a helmet if climbing. As the days warm, chances increase of getting hit by falling ice.

Enjoy the backcountry skiing/riding and good climbing as the melt/freeze cycle begins! Be sure to stay on your "A" game this Spring... 

This is a fantastic photo by S. Rathbun taken on April 1st highlighting the rime ice hazard. Red Banks looms above and is plastered in rime ice. A large chunk as fallen off in this photo and slid down the slope. As climbers make their way up Avalanche Gulch, until all the rime is melted off, this hazard is a serious one. 

4.1.16 - Looking down Avalanche Gulch with Green Butte ridge to the left. Note sastrugi snow surface conditions. This photo was taken from near The Heart of the Avalanche Gulch route. Lake Helen is barely visible middle, right side of photo. Photo: S Rathbun

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LOCAL AREA ROAD, NORDIC, AND SNOWMOBILE PARK STATUS:

The Sand Flat cross country ski trails are in good shape still 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 CLOSED for the season. http://www.mtshastanordic.org

The Pilgrim Creek & Deer Mountain Snowmobile Parks are open, however snow is dwindling fast at these locations. One had to drive down the 19 road (Military Pass) a mile or so to get to consistent snow before unloading just a few days ago. 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. 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.