FALL AVALANCHE STATEMENT updated December 14^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. Please be careful driving up and down this road as there are many sharp corners! We're off to a late start for the winter, with around 1.5 feet of snow near treeline. Snow conditions are extremely variable at and below treeline. Above treeline travel is not advised as shallow snow, windslabs, and a plethora of rocks will greet you. A storm is on the approach for early next week with colder temperatures possibly in store. Moderate to heavy precipitation is associated with this storm and could bring a good helping of snow to the area. The thin snowpack now presents several challenges: the first being shallowly buried obstacles. (A recent skier fell and received a minor head injury, so save your turns for the arrival of more snow. Only light touring is recommended.) 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. Well developed facets were observed on the N/NW side of Grey Butte. This will need to be watched as we get more snow. Moderate La Nina conditions are expected to continue over the next few months into at least early2008. The weather stations are unfortunately still down and we are working hard to get those up and running ASAP! Thanks for being patient. <> 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 (~72% 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. Snow conditions are extremely varied. We will begin providing avalanche advisories 3-4 days a week when we have significant snowpack. Hopefully this next storm will help us out! 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.