Lawinenlagebericht

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Wed
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Warm weather and solar input will weaken snow surfaces as the day progresses. Small wet snow instabilities may develop, especially on steep, sunny slopes near rock outcroppings, cliffs, or trees. Consider moving to gentler terrain if the upper snowpack becomes soggy and you find yourself sinking past your ankles into wet snow. Be prepared to arrest a fall and watch for shedding ice and rock from the upper mountain. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Abnormally warm temperatures for March, strong sun, and the continued lack of an overnight refreeze will increase the potential for wet snow instability on steep solar aspects and lower elevation shady aspects. The areas of greatest concern are on solar facing slopes around radiators like rock outcroppings, cliffs, and trees as well as in steep, protected bowls and locations where snow can be funneled such as gullies and chutes. 

    There is some uncertainty on how the instability will develop through the week, especially with the superficial refreezes. It will be important to self-evaluate conditions as the day progresses and monitor surfaces for a loss of cohesion due to melt. If you begin to sink past your ankles into mushy wet snow, see natural signs of instability like rollerballs and point releases, consider changing to a shadier aspect or moving to gentler terrain. Small avalanches can still be problematic in high-consequence terrain. Give cornices a wide berth when traveling both above and below them. 

    Natural wet loose on the northwest face of Gray Butte from February 2026 

    Photo: Christian Jordan

Avalanche Discussion

As the weather and snowpack warm up, remain vigilant for rockfall and icefall from the upper mountain. Traveling earlier in the day while surfaces are firm and supportable can decrease your exposure to wet snow instabilities and increase your chances of finding quality riding conditions. While small wind drifts remain unlikely, caution is still advised when traveling along prominent rocky ridgelines above 10,000 feet. Assess any wind-affected snow for shooting cracks. Stay alert for changing conditions and remain flexible with your route or objective if you observe signs of unstable snow. While it may feel like spring down low, it's still winter up high. 

Climbing conditions remain good, but surfaces above 10,000 feet are firm and not expected to soften. Falling can lead to a slide-for-life scenario. Carry a full mountaineering kit: 12‑point crampons (not microspikes), an ice axe, a helmet, and the skills to use them proficiently. Early‑season ascents are significantly riskier than a spring climb and demand a higher experience level. Check the Climbing Advisory page for additional details or give us a call if you have questions: 530-926-9614.

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