Lawinenlagebericht

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Wed
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 2 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Recent snow and active northwest winds have crafted slabs ranging in depths and densities on leeward north, east, and south aspects near and above treeline. Exercise caution in steep terrain exposed to wind loading, and on unsupported slopes with signs of wind effect. Evaluate snow and identify areas of concern before committing to terrain steeper than 30 degrees.       

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    The most recent rounds of snowfall have been accompanied by strong west and northwest winds, placing north, east, and south aspects in loading zones for multiple days. These leeward aspects, near and above treeline, have developed wind slabs of varying depths and densities. The more exposed, steep, and complex the terrain, the denser, deeper, and consequential the avalanche. Larger loads, such as snowmobiles, have a higher potential of triggering an avalanche in these locations. In more protected terrain, slabs may be less deep, dense, and consequential, but require less of a load to trigger. Your terrain selection and snowpack evaluation are the best tools for managing this problem.

    Ask yourself: Are you near a terrain feature that promotes wind loading? For example, the leeward sides of ridgelines, cliff bands, rollovers, and gullies are common areas for wind slabs. Does the surrounding snow surface feel textured and cohesive? If so, you're contending with a wind slab. Small, representative, and non-consequential test slopes are useful for determining how reactive this problem is. 

    Photo: Eric Falconer 

    A shooting crack on an unsupported slope above my skin track proved difficult to initiate in the dense surface slab 

Avalanche Discussion

With snow available for transport in the backcountry, wind slabs may still be developing. Paying attention to blowing snow is always a good practice for backcountry travel.

Yesterday's observation on lower Casaval Ridge found dense wind slabs overriding a reactive interface. While the potential for an avalanche exists and triggering remains possible, the density of the slabs, combined with today’s warm temperatures, should aid in some snowpack settlement and keep large human-triggered avalanches trending downward.

Did you hear? The County Roads Department has completed snow removal on the Everitt Memorial Highway up to the Bunny Flat Trailhead. As you head out today don't let your high-elevation access stoke overwhelm your keen eye for signs of instability. If you get out, let us know what you're seeing out there by posting an observation on our website or through the Avy App.

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