Lawinenlagebericht

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

The warm and dry March continues. Watch for small wet snow instabilities on steep slopes as the day heats up. Travel early while snow surfaces are most supportable, and move to mellower terrain if you observe loose, mushy, or greasy snow. 

Other mountain hazards include icefall, rockfall, and icy surfaces with slide-for-life potential. The proper gear and experience are essential on the upper mountain. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

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

    Watch for small wet snow instabilities in the upper snowpack as the day warms up. A poor refreeze near and below treeline last night - a result of balmy temperatures and high clouds limiting radiational cooling - means any surface crusts that formed may break down quickly today. Steep (>35 degrees) sunny slopes are most suspect, especially those near rocky terrain features. Even small wet loose slides can be dangerous in extreme terrain like gullies or cliffs and on long, sustained slopes.

    Make plans to travel earlier in the day while snow surfaces are most supportable to decrease your exposure to wet snow instabilities and increase your chances of finding quality skiing and riding conditions. If you observe signs that the upper snowpack is losing strength, such as greasy snow atop a firm crust or sinking into mushy snow past your ankles, seek mellower terrain.

    Give cornices a wide berth when moving both above and below them.

     

    (3/21/2026)

    Keep an eye out for wet instabilities on steep (>35 degrees) sunny slopes below rocky terrain features like this one as the day progresses. This small wet loose avalanche released on March 20th in Powder Bowl.

    Photo: Eric Falconer

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack is hanging in there on Mount Shasta despite an unseasonably warm and abnormally dry March. Wet snow has been plentiful this month, but unstable wet snow has been harder to come by. The only recently observed avalanches are a few small wet loose slides and cornice failures on sunny slopes above treeline. Still, spring conditions are dynamic - timing and aspect are key. As always, make your own assessments as you travel through the backcountry and be prepared to change your route or objective if you observe signs of unstable snow.

Snow depths measure about five feet at the Old Ski Bowl (7,600 feet) on Mount Shasta, and one to two feet at Bunny Flat (6,900 feet). Snow is sparse in the Eddy Mountains - only high, northerly slopes hold the chance for turns. A refresh is on the way next week. 

Climbing: Mid‑April through June is usually prime climbing season, but conditions are running a month or more ahead of schedule. Current hazards include icefall, rockfall, and firm, icy surfaces with slide-for-life potential.  A full mountaineering kit is non‑negotiable: 12‑point crampons (not microspikes), an ice axe, a helmet, and the skills to use them well. The lower mountain is generally forgiving; the upper mountain is not. Set a turnaround time of noon to 1pm. Be honest about your skills and stay flexible—conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Check the Climbing Advisory page for more details about climbing Mount Shasta, and feel free to give us a call if you have questions about your trip - 530-926-9614. 

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