FALL AVALANCHE STATEMENT updated December 9^th, 2007.


 Upcoming Events:

 Friday, December 14: FREE Avalanche Awareness Presentation beginning
 at 6pm at the Mt. Shasta Library (515 E. Alma St. next to the Sisson
 Middle School, a few blocks up from the Ranger Station). Great intro
 for those new to avalanches and a refresher for those who have taken
 classes before.


 Saturday, December 15: FREE Avalanche Transceiver clinic, meeting at
 9am at The Fifth Season (300 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd.). Dress to be in the
 snow. Beginner to advanced training with demos available.


 

 Note: The Everitt Memorial Highway is plowed to Bunny Flat, however it
 is closed past here for the season.



 We're off to a late start for the winter, with around 1.5 feet of snow
 near treeline. We currently have 4-6 inches of wind packed powder on
 top of a rain-on-snow crust. Cool temps and dry weather is expected
 this week with a storm possible next weekend or early next week^. The
 thin snowpack presents several challenges: the first being shallowly
 buried obstacles. The second will be the development of facets (a
 weak layer) in the shallow snowpack this week, especially on northerly
 aspects, and this will be important for avalanches in the next storm
 series. Moderate La Nina conditions are expected to continue over the
 next few months into at least early2008.


 With funding from the Friends of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center,
 Snowdog Engineering was able to upgrade the communication system for
 the Mt. Eddy weather station and do some maintenance at all of the
 other weather stations this Fall. However, we had lightning damage to
 our main radio which has prevented communication with all of our
 weather stations. We are still diligently working on repairing this
 problem.



 Matt Hill, one of the founders of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center, has
 moved on and his position does not look like it will be filled this
 winter. With only 1 forecaster, we will provide avalanche advisories
 3-4 days a week this winter instead of daily. Your input and
 observations of weather and snow pack are needed more than ever this
 winter! (530)926-9614


 

 Mountain Weather:

 Precipitation so far this water year (July 1 - June 30) has dropped to
 just below normal (~77% in town). Around 8.5 inches of water has
 fallen on the mountain this fall with both rain and snow. Strong
 winds behind the last storm have built wind slabs above treeline on
 southerly and easterly aspects. We will begin providing avalanche
 advisories 3-4 days a week when we have significant snowpack.

 Fall/winter are often a time of strong winds on Mt. Shasta and most
 climbers recently have been forced to retreat.

 Some things to consider:

 Backcountry travelers should make terrain, weather and snow pack
 evaluations as they travel over snow covered terrain. Remember that
 seemingly insignificant slides may be dangerous. Almost half of all
 avalanche fatalities occur in slides traveling less than 300 feet.


 Fall Season Watch Outs!

 * Surface sluffs and wind slabs
 * Shallowly buried rocks and trees can cause serious damage or
 injury.

 * Sink holes around brush and small trees can be dangerous.

 * Snow bridges over crevasses can be touchy and unsupportable.

 * Shallow snowpack with cold air temperatures can produce unstable
 snow

 These are just a few things you should watch out for when traveling
 during the early part of the winter season.



 The Five Red Flags of Avalanche Danger any time of year include: 1)
 Recent/current avalanche activity 2) Whumpfing sounds or shooting
 cracks 3) Recent/current heavy snowfall 4) Strong winds transporting
 snow 5) Rapid warming or rain on snow.