Mount Shasta

Early season conditions remain the greatest hazard today. Hidden and not so hidden obstacles are abundant in our shallow and patchy snowpack. Variable snow surfaces are also prevalent. If you choose to recreate in the backcountry, do so carefully. 

Welcome to another season with the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center! Today marks the second day of issuing daily forecasts. Despite a slow start, Mount Shasta City is still about 20 percent above normal for precipitation. Unfortunately, the high snow levels and the time between storms for melt and wind redistribution has left the snowpack in its current patchy and shallow state. Two weeks have elapsed since the last significant storm, Nov. 16-17, which deposited about a foot of new snow near treeline.  In general, snow line begins between 6,000' to 7,000' with widespread inconsistency in coverage across the terrain. For reference, the Old Ski Bowl (7600') weather station currently reads less than a foot of snow but coverage is uneven here and at higher elevations depending on aspect and location (see photos). 

While avalanche danger is low, the hazard from buried and unburied obstacles is not. If you choose to recreate, do so carefully. Many unforgiving objects like rocks, stumps, and trees lurk just beneath the surface. For any individuals itching to climb the mountain, the majority of snow surfaces are hard and slick and present a serious hazard for slip and fall conditions. The “safest” areas to travel are on north and east aspects where more continuous snow exists or in gullies and depressions where snow has drifted and depths are much deeper. Either way, the mountain is certainly showing its teeth, and a crash or fall in such conditions could lead to serious injury. Don't end your season before it's begun.  Check out the observation page for a conditions update for Southside of Mount Shasta as well as one for the west and east sides of the forecast zone. If you get out and about and want to submit an observation, you can do so here. We'd love to hear from you.

Today, the Shasta Avalanche Center will be hosting Giving Tuesday and the Season Kickoff Party from 4:00 – 8:00pm at Theory Coffee in Mount Shasta. Can't make it but still want to donate? Click this LINK! We appreciate all the support. As always, you can head to our website, shastaavalanche.org for all our seasons classes and events.  

While it may not be dumping snow and low tide for sliding and riding, it's an excellent time to get out for some rescue practice. Rescue is a technical skill that, if you don't use, you lose. This Saturday, December 6th at 7:00 pm at Deadwood Supply Co. we will also be hosting our monthly Know Before You Go, a free avalanche awareness program aimed at helping you understand when and why avalanches happen, and how you can avoid them. This will be followed by a rescue clinic at Bunny Flat on Dec. 7 at 9:00 am. This is a great place to refresh your skills or just come and listen. Remember, YOU are the rescue party! Make sure your pack is dialed with all the necessary avalanche equipment and the ten essentials for backcountry safety. We wish everyone a safe season ahead, and don't forget to do your snow dance!