Mount Shasta

A thin snowpack, paired with variable surfaces, presents the top hazard for backcountry travelers. Recognizing the variability of conditions, and how they may effect where and how you travel, is your best line of defense today. 

The current conditions on Mount Shasta are, breakable crusts, punchy snow, slick surfaces, and exposed earthly objects. Matching your ability to the terrain you choose to engage in, will decrease the likelihood of being injured.

Above treeline, Mount Shasta has taken a beating from the wind. Wind effected surfaces are everywhere and present hard and stiff snow with a smooth or rippled texture. These are situations where a slip or fall could result in a long, uncontrollable slide. 

In areas that receive a lot of direct sunlight, crusts will begin to break down and become more forgiving in nature. Given lasts night's poor freeze, surfaces may already be weakening.

Mount Shasta is hosting not only a thin snowpack but a poor snowpack structure. Find out more HERE from an observation at Brewer Creek.