Avalanche Advisory for 2016-03-09 06:59:36

We saw widespread settlement in the snowpack since our 18 inch snowstorm from two days ago. Eight inches of settlement was recorded at the Old Ski Bowl station. Still the only reported slides that came in were the Casaval/Avalanche Gulch slide (pictured below) and the east side (Mud Creek area) crown viewed from the top of Gray Butte. It's likely that most of the avalanche danger resulting from our most recent storm has subsided given we've had two days of decent sun on the snowpack.

Southerly aspects got impacted heavily when the sun was out the past few days. A several inch zipper crust exists on most sunny aspects currently. Soft snow was reported in the protected trees on shadier aspects. Above treeline, observations have been limited. Ridgelines certainly look wind affected. We've had a mix of winds the past few days blowing from many directions.

I would suspect that east/southeast facing slopes above treeline will continue to be most suspect. These slopes will be the same aspect as the two slides observed from a two days ago. Remaining wind/storm slabs are possible. New wind slabs are certain with the incoming storm and accompanied wind out of the south/southwest.

Discussion from 3-8-16:

Yesterday's (3-7-16) weather favored those who made it out in the backcountry early with light and dry powder. As the day progressed the clouds began to dissipate, and by mid afternoon mostly sunny skies prevailed. The sun had a profound impact on southerly aspects settling the new snow several inches near treeline and created a melt/sun crust an inch thick in places.  Reports from a backcountry skier who toured to just above treeline yesterday afternoon in the Avalanche Gulch vicinity reported less than desirable conditions due to solar gain affecting the snow.  On more northerly, shaded aspects the snow was wind affected but soft with 4 finger to fist density.  Stability tests did not reveal much as the soft snow simply colapsed under stress with no clear shearing or failure.  A large naturally triggered avalanche occurred at the tail end of Sunday's storm on the SSE aspect of Casaval Ridge (see photo) stretching from above the foot of 50/50 flat to near "Madonna's Spire" above Helen Lake. The crown was estimated to be 1-2 ft thick.  Evidence of a crown on a similar ESE aspect of Sargent's Ridge emptying into Mud Creek Glacier cirque was observed as well. 

Large naturally triggered wind/storm slab avalanche on SSE aspect of Casaval Ridge depositing into Climbers's Gully, Avalanche Gulch 3/7/2016

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LOCAL AREA ROAD, NORDIC, AND SNOWMOBILE PARK STATUS:

The Sand Flat cross country ski trails are in good shape 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 open! These beautiful, groomed trails can be accessed via the Ski Park Highway. http://www.mtshastanordic.org

The Pilgrim Creek & Deer Mountain Snowmobile Parks are open!  Trails have not been groomed in the past week and a half due to warm temperatures.  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 CLOSED at the gate. The culvert blew out and we do not know when it will be repaired. The Everett Memorial Highway is plowed to Bunny Flat.

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.