Avalanche Gulch

Avalanche Gulch on Mount Shasta was the go-to yesterday for backcountry skiers. The gate on the Everitt Memorial Highway opened late in the afternoon the day prior. It was a rather mild day, partly cloudy and calm wind below treeline with temperatures reaching a high of 28° F. Wind blew primarily out of the west, with average speeds of 10 mi/hr, gusting to 42 mi/hr near and above treeline. A dusting of new snow had fallen overnight. You know how things go several days after a storm and with a good dose of sun: variable with a side of crust. Soft snow does linger in protected, shady areas. A nasty sun crust is widespread up to about 8,500 feet and supportable on skis above that. Wind affected snow exists above treeline, but smooth sections can be found. No signs of avalanche danger or persistent weak layers have been found. No reports of climbers or conditions on the upper mountain.

• Observation Location: Avalanche Gulch
• Elevation: 6,950 to 9,000 feet
• Date: 20230303
• Time: 1030 hours
• Observer: Reported by C. Carr and S. Marano
• Sky Conditions: Scattered (SCT) 
• Current Precipitation: Type - NO
• Air Temperature: 17 °F @ 1000 hours / Past 24 hours - High - 26 °F - Low - 11 °F
• Surface Penetration: Ski penetration (PS) = ~1-2 in
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 150 inches
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): None
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W): None
• Wind Direction: W
• Wind Speed: Light (L), 1-16 mi/hr, twigs in motion