Mount Shasta

Avalanche danger is low, but the hazard from exposed and partially buried rocks, trees, logs, and other obstacles is not. Variable snow surfaces with slide for life conditions are also present. Very careful and conservative decision making is essential for anyone recreating in the backcounty. 

Welcome to another season with the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center! We want to thank all of you who showed up last night for Giving Tuesday. It was a fantastic turnout. The local support and donations go a long way to supporting the organization and we appreciate all of you! Head to our website, shastaavalanche.org for more upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Mount Shasta City is still above normal for precipitation, which should provide some degree of solace. Higher snow levels and breaks between storms for melt and wind redistribution have left a predominantly shallow snowpack unevenly distributed across the landscape. For reference, the Old Ski Bowl (7600') weather station reads less than a foot while Sand Flat (6800') reads about 6 inches. However, coverage is patchy in these locations up to higher elevations depending on your aspect and location (see photos). In general, snow begins between 6,000' and 7,000' and increases with elevation.

While avalanche danger is low, the hazard from buried and unburied obstacles is not. If you choose to recreate, do so carefully. Many unforgiving objects like rocks, stumps, and trees lurk just beneath the surface. For any individuals itching to climb the mountain, most snow surfaces are hard and slick, presenting a serious hazard for a slip and fall. The “safest” areas to travel are on north and east aspects where more continuous snow exists or in gullies and depressions where snow has drifted, and depths are deeper. Either way, the mountain is certainly showing its teeth, and a crash or fall in such conditions could lead to serious injury. Don't end your season before it's started.  Check out the observation page for a few recent conditions updates from the forecast zone. If you get out and about and want to submit an observation, you can do so here. We'd love to hear from you.

Despite the less than ideal conditions for over snow recreation, it's a fantastic time to engage in self-rescue practice and get your gear dialed in for the season, including the ten essentials and your avalanche kit. This Saturday, December 6th at 7:00 pm at Deadwood we will be hosting our monthly Know Before You Go, a free avalanche awareness seminar to help understand when and why avalanches happen, and how to avoid them. This will be followed by a rescue clinic at Bunny Flat on Sunday Dec. 7 at 9:00 am, a great place to refresh your skills or just come and listen. Rescue is a skill that requires practice to stay proficient. Remember, YOU are the rescue party! We wish everyone a safe season ahead, and don't forget to do your snow dance!