Mount Shasta
Lawinengefahr
Kernpunkte
The probability of triggering an avalanche today is low, but not zero. Recent wind drifting has created wind slabs in specific areas, particularly in east side locations on NW-N-NE facing slopes near and above treeline. Approach these slopes cautiously and look for signs of instability like shooting cracks, firm pillow or lense shaped snow drifts below ridglines, cornices, and active wind-loading. Beware of falling rime ice above treeline on Mount Shasta.
Avalanche Discussion
The 2-4" of snow that fell on Friday 1/7 has been blown around and redistributed by the wind over the past couple of days. The prevailing wind direction has been from the SE-S-SW over the past 24 hours, so any wind slabs that have formed will be in north facing terrain, especially below ridgelines where there is a large fetch (area of available snow) on the windward side. This issue seems to be more likely on the east side of the zone in areas like Ash Creek Butte, where stronger winds and drifting snow were observed yesterday along with wind slab formation up to 1-2 feet thick. Reports were that these slabs were unreactive to ski pressure during the day. Winds on Ash Creek Butte overnight were sustained out of the south at 15-40 MPH, and these slabs may be thicker and more sensitive to triggering this morning.
At Castle Lake yesterday the south wind was lighter and there was much less wind-transport occurring and very minimal to no slab development. On Mount Shasta, observations were limited, but looking up from Bunny Flat it did not appear that there was very much wind transport of snow during the day, and wind measurements at Gray Butte weather station showed winds averaging 5-10 MPH out of the SE-S-SW with gusts in the twenties.
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All roads and recreation areas are open. These include: Everitt Memorial Highway/Bunny Flat, Sand Flat Winter Trails, Castle Lake area, and Pilgrim Creek and Deer Mountain Snowmobile Parks.
Castle Lake is frozen and supportable for foot and ski traffic. The ice is ~1 foot thick with snow on top. The road is open, plowed, and in good shape.
As we see increasing numbers populate these areas, responsible recreation is becoming important. This means having respect for fellow users, picking up your trash, cleaning up your campfire ash in the parking lot, etc. It's likely that the next person in line loves this place as much as you do. Mt. Shasta is a special place. Keep it pro out there.