[Gimpilator]

I tagged 6 peaks today with selection based on NOAA snow depth predictions. I figured if I aimed low, I could avoid an unconsolidated mess. NOAA spurred me on. In a nutshell, there was no snow on any of them except Rock Peak in the southern Olympics, which had a whopping 3 to 4+ feet. The snow started at 2400 feet and was a foot deep right away. Not planning for snow, I didn't bring snowshoes, gaiters, ax, glacier goggles, or even baskets for my poles. Foolish. I sure could have used that gear. Instead of the standard 1 hour trip, it took me 4 hours and I was wallowing. There's a lot of crappy tree wells and sketchy moats too. I turned back twice and only found a feasible route on the third try. Surprised to see that much snow today.

[raising3hikers]

sounds very much like my trip to rock pk early last yr trying to avoid snow, I spent much time in deep snow too. btw, 6 pks in a day? you're putting in a lot of work!

[Bryan K]

This post is useless without pics.