Bunny to 10k in Old Ski Bowl

Location Name:

Region:

Mt. Shasta

Date and time of observation:

Fri, 02/23/2018 - 8:30pm

Observation made by:

Forecaster

Red Flags:

Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

96067 Mount Shasta , CA

United States

41° 22' 42.366" N, 122° 12' 15.0516" W

California US

One can still ski and ride from Bunny Flat, albeit thin.
Sand Flat trails are in marginal condition. The upper road/trails are in the best shape.
Below treeline, 3 to 4 inches of low density snow sits on top of our existing, rock-hard snow surface. Bare ground is exposed in many areas, as well as exposed rocks, chaparral and other forest products. No instability has been observed
Near treeline is transitional. From 7,500 feet to 8,500 feet, gusty northwest winds became noticeable. All avalanche starting zones observed were scoured down to rock and/or the old snow surface.
Recent storm snow has been stripped away and blown into leeward south and southeast facing depressions, gullies and concavities.
Above treeline, northwest winds howled and have scoured all steep, avalanche prone slopes. Only the old snow surface remains and it is icy, firm and glazed over in most areas.
Wind slabs were observed on S/SE aspects on low angle (15-25 degree) slopes. Several extended column tests produced very easy, sudden collapse, full propagation fractures below a pencil hard 20cm slab sitting on top of weaker snow layers. This was notable, however I could not find any wind slabs on steeper slopes.
Leeward snow deposits measured 3 to 15 inches
Overall, the majority of the mountain is stripped down to the old snow surface and signs of avalanche danger was hard to come by.