Avalanche Advisory for 2015-01-23 07:10:31

After a brief respite from the sun last weekend with a little bit of snow and rain, "Junuary" like conditions return as the high pressure ridge rebuilds blocking any possibility of preciptation in our immediate future.  The plus side is that last weekends snow and rain smoothed out what was previously a mostly textured and uneven snow surface.  When combined with sunshine and the steadily increasing temperatures during the week, we have been graced with a melt/freeze cycle producing great corn snow at elevations below 10,000 feet.  This has been making for some great riding for backcountry skiers and snowboarders, snowmobilers, snow shoers, and sledders.  As the temperatures continue to warm, good corn conditions will push higher in elevation.  

Wind slabs that developed last weekend from new snow being transported about have begun to heal themselves and are becoming less of a concern. There was mention of the weak layer within wind slabs and this layer has mended and gone away.  Observations made during the week in the snow pack produced no notable results indicating any instabilities below 11,000 feet.  Folks who ventured up into Giddy-Giddy Gulch, 50/50 Flat, and Shastarama reported smooth snow and good corn skiing/snowmobiling at and below 9,700 feet.  On the upper mountain smooth and firm snow surface conditions still present the possibility for "slide for life" incidents, so bring your crampons, helmet, and mountain axe.  Rock, and ice fall were observed during warm afternoon temperatures below Shastarama. No instabilities have been observed or recorded on the upper mountain also.

One observation over the week noted a 1-2cm water ice layer within the upper layers of the snowpack on the upper mountain, 11,000 to 12,000 feet. This layer was likely from our extremely warm rain/misting event of last Saturday.

Up and coming concerns for today and this weekend are the chance of wet/loose snow instabilities in the form of roller balls, pinwheels and small wet surface sluffs as low and high temps increase. These instabilities will likely be small in size and of little consequence, but as always, use caution on steeper slopes in extreme terrain where even a small slide could sweep one off their feet into undesireable locations!

Below, top to bottom: Skier on Green Butte Ridge from past week, Avalanche Gulch in background - Photo: Shane Rathbun / Wind and Lake Helen from this past week - Photo: S Rathbun / Looking up at Shastarama, Old Ski Bowl, Mt Shasta, approx. 9,700 feet, 1.22.15 - Photo: Jon Dove / Looking out into Old Ski Bowl, 9,300 feet, 1.22.15 - Photo: J Dove

DON'T FORGET! THE SHASTA ASCENSION RANDONEE RACE IS TOMORROW AND THE LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE BUNNY FLAT TRAILHEAD DUE TO LACK OF SNOW AT THE SKI PARK. Registration is from 0700-0930 and the race begins at 1000. FOLLOWING the race in the evening is the 13th Annual SNOW BALL PARTY at the Mt Shasta City Park. This is the MSAC's biggest fundraiser of the year...come out and have an amazing time and help support everything you love about this advisory and website! Details under "Events" tab on this website. See you soon!

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. Be careful of shallow buried objects. Skiing has been reported as poor to non-existent.

Sand Flat Winter Trails: OPEN

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.