Mount Shasta

Your odds of triggering an avalanche throughout the forecast zone are low. Today's chief concerns are slide-for-life conditions on steep alpine slopes and the potential for isolated pockets of wind slab in extreme terrain. Mountaineering tools (ice axe, crampons, and helmet) along with snowpack evaluation will be essential to navigate and protect yourself against these factors.

The snowpack above treeline on Mount Shasta and surrounding areas, represents that of a steel fortress. It's locked up tight! The snowpack's reluctance to soften has installed widespread firm and slick surfaces throughout the alpine. Locations of greatest concern are large alpine panels, ridgelines, knolls, and moraine features. If loss of balance or traction in these locations, arresting a fall or snowmobile may be near impossible. Heightened consequences exist for slopes with exposed obstacles. Come thoroughly prepared with an ice axe, crampons, and helmet, if planning to engage with the alpine. Rising temperatures may increase the overhead hazard of rock and ice fall. Large rock outcroppings like Casaval Ridge, the Red Banks, Sargents Ridge, and the Trinity Chutes, are features to be most heads-up about. For more information on climbing, read the climbing advisory.       

Above 10,000 feet, northwest winds have been cranking at gale force speeds and blowing snow onto southerly aspects. It's not out of the question that a small wind drift (or two) may exist in isolated pockets of extreme terrain. Heed caution to areas presenting larger amounts of cumulative snow build up.

Forecasters have been on the hunt for soft snow, and have found the “sweet spot” to be near and below treeline on wind protected solar aspects. These locations are isolated in nature, but do host a soft melt-freeze surface. 

Whether out and about for a personal well-being tour, or trying to achieve a more technical goal, always monitor the snowpack and terrain for signs of instability.