Hey thanks for the information. We'll see what we get in the next few months. I wasn't sure how bad that clear creek route really could be without snow but i'm all up for going up that route without snow if needed.

See this post for pics of Clear Creek when snow free...

beautiful-shasta-current-conditions-t65450-15.html#p937106

It looks like things are starting to stir:

NOAA Forecast

Weather.com

I reckon the dam is going to burst.

Jarpup wrote:. . .
Given how bad Shasta looks right now...

A friend of mine attempted Shasta yesterday; he had a very exciting time. It all depends what you are looking for...

I'll likely give Shasta a go, but prefer to descend with no (new) holes in me...

clmbr wrote:

Jarpup wrote:. . .
Given how bad Shasta looks right now...

A friend of mine attempted Shasta yesterday; he had a very exciting time. It all depends what you are looking for...

Jarpup wrote:I'll likely give Shasta a go, but prefer to descend with no (new) holes in me...

clmbr wrote:

Jarpup wrote:. . .
Given how bad Shasta looks right now...

A friend of mine attempted Shasta yesterday; he had a very exciting time. It all depends what you are looking for...

That's a correct answer.

Bubba - did you get any snow this week? I was planning to climb Mt Shasta in May but I think we're going to head further north now. I know winter is only half over but it doesn't look very promising there for a snow climb.

Alpinist wrote:... did you get any snow this week? I was planning to climb Mt Shasta in May but I think we're going to head further north now. I know winter is only half over but it doesn't look very promising there for a snow climb.

If I were traveling from afar, attempting to make long-term plans, I'd probably follow those instincts. Personally, when looking at trips in California over the next few months, I'm looking at the silver lining of taking advantage of rare winter and spring conditions.

From webcams and from the report below, it looks like there was only a dusting of snow on Shasta (the Sierra and coast had more):
http://shastaavalanche.org/

Beyond 3-5 days, we know things can change, but it looks like there will likely be decent snowfall next weekend:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/index.php

Then, there may be another dry spell:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/index.php

The (much less reliable) long term outlook for California suggests a good chance of continuing below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures all the way through winter and spring. If a more typical pattern ends up developing, the Northstate generally has a better shot at substantial spring precipitation than points south. We'll see.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/multi_season/13_seasonal_outlooks/color/churchill.php

All that being said, images and detailed condition reports from Bubba, mrchad, climbr, and others, are more fun to look at and may give clues as to what is likely on specific Shasta routes.

I can't imagine that the gullies and gulches on Shasta wouldn't have nice snow in May, but who knows. The ridges though may be a lost cause.

SeanReedy wrote:All that being said, images and detailed condition reports from Bubba, mrchad, climbr, and others, are more fun to look at and may give clues as to what is likely on specific Shasta routes.

: - )

Bubba Suess wrote:It looks like things are starting to stir...

I reckon the dam is going to burst.

The patterns and models are still kind of funky, but substantial snow followed by ongoing unsettled weather is looking more and more likely in Northern California. Good luck!

Alpinist wrote:Bubba - did you get any snow this week? I was planning to climb Mt Shasta in May but I think we're going to head further north now. I know winter is only half over but it doesn't look very promising there for a snow climb.

We didn't get any snow down at the foot of the mountain but Shasta now has some snow above 9,500 or so. Not too much but enough to at least make it look white. That is pretty good these days. We are fixin to have a storm come through this weekend though. As Sean Reedy says, we'll see what happens after that.

Looks like some solid precipitation on the way this weekend. Fingers crossed... Plane tickets purchased and car rented.

Bump for current beta. Robin, Bubba, others?

TIA

Currently awesome. Warm temps this week. Enjoy!

http://shastaguides.com/2014/04/08/atte ... to-action/

so we were planning a trip on july 4th weekend. looks like bolam (our first choice) will be melted out by then?

i know it is waaaaay too early for a definitive answer, but what snow routes, in general, would be the most likely to still be in shape first week in july? we are all comfortable on snow, and we were looking at bolam for more glacier experience (i do have formal training in roped travel, crevasse rescue, etc., and am going with other established climbers.)

any suggestions would be appreciated.