Mount Shasta

Stable avalanche conditions exist across the forecast area. Climbers and skiers take heed, firm and icy surfaces have increased the potential of a long sliding fall near and above treeline. Additionally, ice fall is possible from the usual suspects (Casaval Ridge, Red Banks, Shastarama, Trinity Chutes). If headed to the upper elevations on Mount Shasta, crampons, ice axe, and helmet will be crucial for safe travel.

If you’ve been reading the avalanche forecast over the last seven days, you know forecasters have discussed slide-for-life conditions often. Today will be no different. It's firm up there, folks, really firm. As observed yesterday from Green Butte Ridge, above 8,500 feet, every knoll, moraine, and steep slope is covered by a bullet-hard icy glaze. In Avalanche Gulch and Old Ski Bowl, gullies have collected the only soft, edge-able snow. A recent climbing observation from Casaval Ridge described the comfort of two ice tools to safely complete the route's traverse at around 10,300 feet. The observer also discussed increased ice fall while descending under the Red Banks.

In terms of climbing, firm surfaces typically provide fast, and efficient climbing conditions for an experienced mountaineer. On the other hand, hardened, icy slopes have resulted in many accidents on Mount Shasta. If climbing or skiing above 9,000 feet on Mount Shasta, consider bringing crampons, an ice axe, and a helmet. Steep slopes will be particularly dangerous in the early morning hours, when the sun has not had time to soften surface snow. For more information on climbing, read the recently updated climbing advisory.

For those in search for ski options, the direct sunlight and 9,000 foot freezing level may still provide softening snow on southerly facing slopes below 8,000 feet.