Avalanche Advisory for 2015-03-28 07:00:33

Our good friend "corn snow" is back in action!  The mountain received a fresh coating of new snow at the beginning of the week that made for a day or two of powder skiing/riding.  This was followed by warm temperatures and clear skies that paved the way for a couple of days of melt/freeze magic.  This has resulted, once again, in producing prime corn snow conditions on Mt. Shasta.  If we can't have powder snow, corn is the next best thing.  The weather forecast for the next couple of days looks to promote the melt/freeze process and make for a great weekend to get up on Mt. Shasta and enjoy Spring corn snow!  Sunny skies and warm temperatures will persist through Monday.  Winds will be light to moderate (depending on elevation) staying more northerly in direction. 

Observations made yesterday confirmed that the transition from new snow to corn snow was just about complete.  A snowmobile assisted climb and ski of the chute below Shastarama on Sargents Ridge was the perfect objective to test snow conditions from below tree line to the upper elevations near 11,000 feet.  Snow surfaces were firm in the morning, even below tree line, despite overnight temperatures staying above freezing at elevations below 10,500 feet.  From where snowmobiles were parked at about 9,000 feet crampons were necessary to climb directly up the chute below the Shastarama rock outcropping.  As we climbed snow was boot supportable with a few inches of penetration of the toe of the boot possible.  At times the snow surface was firm enough that only the spikes of the crampon could penetrate requiring French step climbing technique.  We started our descent at a few minutes before noon and had perfect corn top to bottom.  That being said, only S-SE-E facing aspects were softening.  Any aspects that were NW-N-NE facing stayed firm.  There was no sign of any loose wet slides in Old Ski Bowl.  There was evidence of roller balls, but most of the scattered debris was the result of rime ice that had peeled off of rocks along the ridge top. 

Photos:
Top Left- Forrest and Alyssa below Shastarama chute on ascent 3/27/2015 - Photo: Jon Dove

Top Right- Shay and Alyssa climbing up into the Shastarama chute proper 3/27/2015 - Photo: Jon Dove

Bottom- Forrest dropping in and slaying the corn, top of Shastarama chute 3/27/2015 - Photo: Jon Dove

Continue to always use safe travel methods: carry situational awareness on your skin up the mountain, choose safe routes and watch for what others are doing, ski one at a time, stop in safe zones!

For folks that plan on climbing Mt. Shasta:  Route conditions on Casaval Ridge, Sargents Ridge, and Avalanche Gulch are currently good.  Snow conditions have made the melt/freeze transition into supportable firm snow at most elevations and aspects.  Snow on more northerly facing aspects may host snow that has not fully transitioned yet, and may be a little punchy.  This means that boot penetration of a few inches is possible.  Firm snow on W-SW-S-SE-E aspects will soften some during the day making for corn snow conditions.  Climbers should be advised that the presence of firm, smooth snow means the possibility for a long fall is present.  "Slide for life" conditions exist if self-arrest is not achieved immediately!   Ice fall from rime ice that has built up on the Red Banks and other rock outcroppings will be happening even in the early morning hours.  A helmet, crampons, and a mountain axe are necessary equipment and should be used. 

Castle Lake and Mt Eddy zones are still hosting a shallow snowpack. All areas below about 6,000 feet in the forecast area are hosting patchy snow with dirt showing around trees and in sunny spots.  For Castle Lake, skiing is out of the question at this point due to lack of snow.

Report your observations to the MSAC! A photo, a few words... send them in! (nimeyers@fs.fed.us or 530-926-9614)

Sand Flat Winter Trails: OPEN, however snow depths are meager and the Lower Sand Flat road is exposed dirt. We recommend heading up to Bunny Flat and touring up the road or anywhere higher in elevation!

Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: CLOSED due to lack of snow

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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’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.