Avalanche Advisory for 2015-01-25 06:40:31

Thanks to all who came out to the Mt Shasta Ascension Backcountry Ski Race and the annual Snow Ball yesterday/last night. It wouldn't happen with out you! Great conditions, sun, and a whole lot of fun was had. Also, thanks to the Friends of the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center and numerous volunteers who made those MSAC fundraisers happen.

Inversions and Juneuary conditions continue as high pressure remains parked overhead today through Monday. This morning (1/25) temperatures in Mt Shasta City read 34 F and at the Old Ski Bowl weather station it's 50 F! On Tuesday, a weak low will bring us a brief break from sunny skies.  Sunshine will return by Thursday, and mild temperatures will maintain melt/freeze cycles producing great corn snow at many elevations. Naturally - aspect, time of day and elevation are dictating ideal corn harvest times. Mt Shasta is one of the few areas in the state that has reasonable snow coverage and the sliding and riding conditions as of this weekend were... amazing. As much as we would like to keep this a secret, well - we already blew it.  Temperatures continue to stay warm today and into Monday.  Good, no...amazing corn conditions may push higher in elevation today, but temps will drop considerably tomorrow. Time it right on warm, sunny aspects and you will not be dissapointed.

Observations made over this weekend personally and by local skiers and riders resulted in no instabilities. Most South Side aspects above treeline have reported smooth snow and good corn skiing/snowmobiling. Slopes E-SE-S will soften the most during warm days. Wet/loose instabilities are possible today in the form of loose snow sluffs, roller balls and pinwheels, but likely small and of little consequence. This avalanche problem will decrease as temps cool this week. Climbers headed onto the upper mountain will find smooth and firm snow surface conditions presenting the possibility for "slide for life" incidents... probably goes without saying, but bring your crampons, helmet, and ice axe.  Rock and ice fall were observed and heard off Sargents Ridge and the upper mountain in the past few days. WEAR A HELMET! No instabilities have been observed or recorded on the upper mountain.

To summarize, concerns for skiing and climbing on Shasta this weekend will be: 1) Wet/loose snow instabilities in the form of roller balls, pinwheels, small point releases and surface sluffs on sun warmed slopes steeper than 35 degrees, low to mid mountain levels. As stated, 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 2) Rime and water ice melting/flaking off exposed rocks and falling onto one below 3) Smooth and firm upper mountain conditions posing the threat for a slide for life should one slip and fall. 

Photos below: A few samples from Mt Shasta's South Side over the past week. Photos by: Shane Rathbun and Nick Meyers

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.