Mount Shasta

Steep, south-facing aspects near and above the treeline with direct sun may have unstable snow. Damp snow surfaces, roller balls, and wet loose avalanches are all indicators of instability. If you see any of these red flags, avoid steep slopes, especially where a small avalanche could have serious consequences.

Thanks to the low angle of the sun, the 11,000 foot freezing levels have had little impact on our snowpack. As a result, we have observed 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. Although these avalanches wouldn't bury you, they could cause you to lose your footing and take you on a wild ride through cliffs or trees. 

The valley inversions have done a great job of keeping the snow cold and preserving powder from about a week ago. Near the top of the inversion layer, roughly between 5,000 to 7,000 feet, we are finding surface hoar has developed in earnest on these calm and clear nights. November has brought exceptional low-elevation snow coverage to a majority of the forecast area. Those lower-lying areas that remain sheltered from the sun and below the inversion layer harbor the best riding conditions. With that being said, don't let your guard down to rocks and woody debris.

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 Observation HERE
• Tagging us @ShastaAvalanche 

View Observations:

• CLICK HERE to view Observations.
• CLICK HERE for details on recent avalanche activity.
• CLICK HERE to view our Photos & Video page.