Springtime is creeping up on us. Anybody got beta on Lassen snowpack?
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Springtime is creeping up on us. Anybody got beta on Lassen snowpack?
photos I saw from the other day were quite encouraging
Seeing how dry it is at Bunny Flat already is super disheartening.
https://www.facebook.com/shastaavala...61480127375828
Here's hoping. Webcam images from the SW entrance look pretty bony...... Thanks guys.Quote:
Originally Posted by ~mikey b
Shasta Avalanche Center has done a good job posting about current conditions on the mountain with lots of photos. Thin indeed for mid-March.
Although I typically prefer Brewer's Creek in the late spring, went to Shasta over the weekend from Bunny Flats. Unfortunately, I'd describe the snowpack conditions as "mid-June," and going fast. After ignoring the naysayers in the parking lot and a 20 minute walk, could skin up a creek bed hiding some snow littered with tree debris with 2 or 3 short carries to continuous snow up the looker's right side of Avi Gulch ("Broadway?"). Extremely windy and swirling clouds above Lake Helen where I put on the crampons, although no ice balls or rocks launching down from the Redbanks. It was re-frozen sun cups and corral reef for many thousands of feet of horrid chatter from the "Heart" where even Muir would have turned around. Still, Shasta is surreal and always fun, particularly if you are as objective as I when rating skiing.
It’s been a great week
Attachment 413893
wow
Gonna be a spring corn harvest or too little too late?
Nice shot! Was gonna ask the same question: has this storm train been enough to save the spring season (read: good skiing into June)? Looking at the long term forecast it looks like we'll have pretty unsettled weather for a while up there which presumably will help conserve the (little) snowpack a bit.
I thought yesterday was as good as it gets until today.
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!!!
Looks choice!
Awesome pic, Lee, thanks. I wonder what altitude that is?
This is about 11,200' Olberman's moraine. Looking down on Lake Helen which is 10,400'. About a 4 mile long pow run...still grinningQuote:
Originally Posted by munkyman
Looks just awesome, thanks. Maybe it corns up in 2-3 weeks... I was thinking of doing a one day, partial climb up there, just to 11k or so, I'm too creaky to do 5k+ in a day!
I will be up there next weekend. Bunny flat 2 Helen Lake. Not bringing skis (non skier group)
Is it soft shell or hard shell?
yes
April snow in CA will transition in a few hours. That pow in the upper pics is skiing corn today. Problem is our shallow(non existent) base. There was little to no snow below 9,000' and this season's pack will go fast. There is always the possibility of a wet, cool May, so we'll see...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted26
ummm, you might want to rethink that...The skiing from Helen is good and it's been a postholing nightmare...Quote:
Originally Posted by jhyatt
Anyone have any Lassen updates?
Thanks... hoping for the bestQuote:
Originally Posted by Lee Murian
The new snow transitioned nicely and we're in pretty decent melt/freeze cycle. Primo corn in the right places. The boot penetration has greatly improved but you're going to have some ski envy on Sunday. Have fun, should be a great weekend!Quote:
Originally Posted by jhyatt
Thanks we are headed to fifth season and asking about renting ski stuff. I didn't bring mine [emoji53]Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Murian
Forecast is shaping up for less wind
Can ski down to Bunny Flat. We didn't summit but other people did. Camped at Helen Lake.
I hope to come back someday soon!
Fyi the wag bags they give out DO NOT contain TP.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ac9492b4b1.jpg
I was at Lassen Friday and Saturday (yesterday). Outstanding spring snow on Friday; didn't even turn to slop late in the day.
Then I got the idea to wake up early and hoof up the road to the base of Lassen (it's still gated at SW entrance, despite nps.gov/lavo indicating that you might be able to drive a mile up to the Sulphur Works parking). Got to the peak trailhead area by 930AM. I'd figured the cold moist weather would clear up just in time to do the peak, but weather actually turned worse, adding wind and white-out conditions. So I skipped the peak and skied back (traversed high and west, dropping down to Sulphur Works). Snow was wetter and grabbier on Saturday, due to Friday night being cloudy and (at SW parking) not even down to freezing. Should be better now though.
Lassen from Brokeoff, Friday:
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Attachment 415015
Saturday:
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BYO drinking water to SW area; their water treatment system got broken by a fallen tree or something.