Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Ascended up long route up West Fork Trail from Lake Quinault attempting to get to Colonel Bob Peak. Ran into wet loose and corn snow late in the afternoon (approximately 14:00~15:00).

Low coverage wet snowpack started before the ascent into the basin (around 3.5k'+). Noticed wet sloughs/avalanche debris from the past week on traverse, as well as some small wet loose balls bouncing off steep (50+ degrees) cols.

When we got to the basin below the peak, we were punching all the way through the snowpack (up past our thighs). We turned around at 47.4837, -123.7374 since the conditions weren't conducive to a fun, safe summit (even with snowshoes), since the snowpack matched spring conditions for the area (temps were in high 40s/low 50s).