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Avalanche Gulch, Lake Helen

Location Name: 
Avalanche Gulch, Mount Shasta
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/08/2021 - 12:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster

Location Map

United States
41° 23' 20.5944" N, 122° 12' 38.412" W
US

Snowpack Observations

Details

  • Observation Location: Avalanche Gulch, Mount Shasta
  • Elevation: 10,500 ft
  • Date: 20210208
  • Time: 1200
  • Observer: Ryan Sorenson
  • Sky Conditions: Broken (BKN), high altitude wispy clouds
  • Current Precipitation: Type - None (NO)
  • Air Temperature: 38 °F
  • Surface Penetration: Boot penetration (PF) = 0 in
  • Total Snow Depth (HS): 45 in (115 cm)
  • 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 0
  • 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W): 0
  • Wind Direction: SW, upslope
  • Wind Speed: Light (L), 5-10 mi/hr with occasional gusts to 15 mi/hr

Notes:

Cloudy skies, cooler temperatures, and light winds kept snow surfaces firm.  Everything shows signs of wind effect. Smoother wind-pressed patches are mixed with areas with sastrugi features of various sizes. Large rocky patches have been exposed on ridges and moraine tops.  Blown rock and debris litter the slopes. The Redbanks are covered in rime ice.  No avalanche concerns were encountered. 

Photos

  • View from Bunny Flat
  • Looking up from 50/50
  • Snow surfaces at Lake Helen are covered in rock and debris.
  • Looking up from Lake Helen
  • Large wind carved features

Weather Observations

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Precipitation: 
None
Accumulation rate: 
None
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: 
Southwest