Mount Shasta

Clear, calm, stagnant weather and low avalanche danger dominate the week. A variety of snow conditions will be found. A winter climb of Mount Shasta should be considered by experienced climbers only. Deep, unconsolidated snow making for arduous over-snow-travel is the main crux, in addition to extreme cold, short days and upper mountain wind. If you choose to climb, be prepared. 

The snowpack is looking good, and no recent avalanches or signs of instability have been observed since last weekend. Our buried layer of graupel (Dec 9) that resulted in a handful of slides has been quiet. Small, loose wet avalanches and roller balls have been observed on below and near treeline, sunny slopes. The clear, cold nights have formed surface hoar in protected areas below treeline. Surface hoar is a classic weak interface when buried by an incoming storm, but with no weather in sight, it's sparkly winter magic.

The trick to staying alive in avalanche terrain is to stay away from dangerous conditions and know when those conditions are present. Always check the forecast. Learn to recognize avalanche terrain. Pay attention to the 5 red flags of avalanche danger. Take a moment to read Bruce Tremper's "10 Commandments of Low-Risk Travel".

Snowmobiling on Mount Shasta: For motorized use via Bunny Flat, please park BELOW the restroom facility and launch from the designated ramp. Boundary markers (orange poles) are up along the Everitt Memorial Highway (EMH) and east Wilderness boundary in the Old Ski Bowl. Snowmobiles are prohibited above (north side) the EMH for 1.25 miles past Bunny Flat and anywhere in the Mount Shasta Wilderness. Know your boundaries. Citations will be issued for all violators. Check out this map!