Mount Shasta

Low avalanche danger prevails. Slide-for-life conditions pose the highest risk to travelers. Carry mountaineering tools if venturing into the alpine, and move cautiously through terrain that exposes you to greater consequence. General caution is advised. 

While backcountry conditions remain less than ideal, today's splendid weather should make up for it. A peak in temperatures, along with strong solar input and crystal-clear skies, will cause superficial softening of snow surfaces on select south-facing slopes near and below treeline. Unfortunately, these will be the only locations to soften. All other slopes, specifically above 8,000 feet, will remain firm and slick, presenting slide-for-life conditions for riders, climbers, and snowmobilers. Whether in small terrain or large, consequences still exist, especially in exposed areas presenting obstacles like rocks, ice, or trees. If you're heading into upper-elevation terrain, carry an ice axe, crampons, and a helmet, as rock and ice fall is occurring. Recent field reports continue to highlight this danger off the Red Banks, Casaval Ridge, Trinity Chutes, and Green Butte Ridge. Rocks and ice ranging in size from marbles to softballs have been observed. Keep those eyes to the sky!

Recent findings highlight near-surface weakening of faceted snow grains. These surface grains have been observed primarily on shady north and east aspects near treeline without a surface crust. While many of our avalanche start zones are too exposed to preserve these surface facets, there are areas, like the northwest face of Grey Butte, where we have observed them in isolated pockets mid-slope. Forecasters aim to eliminate as much uncertainty as possible regarding their distribution before they get buried.

The window for mid-winter corn harvesting is coming to a close. If you're someone who enjoys fair, warm weather with several centimeters of corn snow, I'd recommend getting to your nearest south-facing, near treeline slope (Sun Bowl/Powder Bowl area) ASAP for a final lap!

There are three days remaining in the January observation contest. Submit your public observations with “entry” in the name for a chance to win FREE Mount Shasta Avalanche Center gear. Click here for more information.

Share your observations by:

• Submitting an Observation HERE
• Tagging us @ShastaAvalanche 

Winter Recreation Access

• Everitt Memorial Highway: Open to Bunny Flat.
• Castle Lake Road: Plowed to Methodist Camp, though the gate is closed near 4,200 feet. Bike and hike access is welcome beyond the gate.
• Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: Open; trails are groomed.
• Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park: Open, but plowed past the warming hut to Pomeroy Creek due to logging.

Read the full Tri-Forest Grooming Report here.