Mount Shasta

The danger from avalanches remains low. Overall, early season conditions prevail, including variable snow surfaces and shallowly buried obstacles. Many options exist for travel on mostly dry ground near and below treeline. For travel at higher elevations, more careful decision making is needed to negotiate the shallow snowpack. 

Today marks the third week since our last notable precipitation event in mid-November. Snow is far from bountiful, but it’s hard not to enjoy the warm and pleasant weather! Temperatures are trending well above normal for this time of year and this pattern looks to continue into the weekend as high pressure builds. 

The danger from avalanches remains low. There is uncertainty if small-sized wet loose are possible in isolated and extreme terrain, predominantly steep solar aspects that are receiving the brunt of the winter sun in combination with unseasonably warm temperatures. Most south-facing terrain in the zone does not hold much, if any snow coverage with the exception being high elevations on Mount Shasta. If the problem does exist, the best way to manage it is with feedback. If you are sinking past your shins in moist snow, consider moving to a colder aspect or descending to dry ground. Rollerballs are another visual clue that the upper snowpack is becoming wet and losing some stability. In general, the predominant mountain hazards remain the same: obstacles above and beneath the shallow snowpack, rock and rime fall, and variable surfaces, especially firm slopes above treeline where a slip and fall is possible.

Snow begins between 6,000 and 7,000 feet, but the snow is increasingly sparse at the lower elevations. Little coverage remains in the vicinity of Bunny Flat. More continuous snow exists at upper elevations above treeline on Mount Shasta, especially in wind drifted terrain, gullies, and on shadier aspects. In general, surfaces encompass a variety of melt-freeze crusts, wind texture, faceted snow, and icy surfaces.

If you make it into the backcountry, consider posting an observation! We would love to hear from you. There you can also find information about our early-season snowpack and trailhead access. Please also visit our website for a list of upcoming events. Thank you to everyone who’s joined us at our events so far. Many still to come. We’ll keep you posted as they get closer!