Mount Shasta

You may find unstable snow on steep, south facing aspects near and above the treeline where temperatures are above freezing and the sun is shining most directly. Damp snow surfaces, roller balls, and wet loose avalanches are all indicators of instability. If you make any of these observations, increase your margin of safety by avoiding steep slopes, especially in areas that a small avalanche could carry you through rocks or trees.

Due to the low sun angle and shorter days, the high freezing levels haven't had as significant of an impact on the snow surface as they would have during the springtime. Consequently, we are observing minimal loose wet avalanche activity. We can't completely rule out the possibility of triggering a small avalanche in isolated sections of steep, south-facing terrain near and above the treeline, though it's unlikely.

The good news is that we have excellent low elevation snow coverage for November and this is where folks are finding the best riding conditions. The valley inversions have done a great job of keeping the snow cold and preserving powder from nearly a week ago. While we wait for the Everitt Memorial Highway and Castle Lake Road to open, now is a perfect time to get out there with your partners and refresh those necessary skills of how to use a beacon, probe, and shovel. 

Share with us what you're seeing out there by:

• Submitting an online observation HERE
• Tagging us @ShastaAvalanche 

VIEW OBSERVATIONS