Mount Shasta Avalanche Center is reporting that a huge avalanche hit Mount Shasta over President Day weekend. All photos are by Christian Jordan and Nick Meyers.
On the morning of February 21, 2024, the quiet slopes of Avalanche Gulch on Mount Shasta revealed the aftermath of a tremendous force of nature—a very large (D4) natural avalanche. This awe-inspiring event unfolded during the heart of a powerful winter storm that had blanketed the region in a thick layer of snow from February 17th, relentlessly depositing nearly constant precipitation over four days. By the time the skies cleared, an astonishing 6.57 inches of snow-water equivalent had accumulated, translating to a hefty 2.5-3 feet of fresh snow near the treeline, and even more at higher elevations. This event was meticulously recorded at the Old Ski Bowl weather station, positioned on the south side of Mount Shasta at an elevation of 7,900 feet.
Miraculously, this colossal slide, which began its descent from approximately 10,500 feet on the west/southwest aspect of Green Butte Ridge and carved a path over 2.5 miles long and 3,200 vertical feet down Avalanche Gulch, claimed no victims. Its journey, initially thought to have originated near the 12,000-foot mark, was later clarified as having started lower, thanks to improved visibility in the days following the storm. The avalanche demonstrated the raw power of nature, scouring walls 60 feet deep in places and leaving behind debris piles of even greater depth. Despite its initial dry nature, the avalanche acquired wet characteristics by its end near 7,200 feet, reminiscent of the Valentine’s Day avalanche in 2019.
The sheer magnitude of snow deposited in the runout zone is nothing short of astonishing, a testament to the powerful and unpredictable forces of nature. The closure of the Everitt Memorial Highway during the storm underscored the severity of the conditions. As we reflect on this event, it’s a stark reminder of the majestic, yet formidable beauty of Mount Shasta. While we stand in awe of such a spectacular natural occurrence, we’re equally grateful that no lives were endangered by this giant. Truly, the President’s Day avalanche is a phenomenon that sends shivers down the spine, a magnificent reminder of the wonders and perils our natural world holds.
