June 14, 2009, Foss Peak

Great day in the Tatoosh yesterday! Ron, Kit and I headed up to Foss Peak. The overcast thinned out as we pulled into Paradise and a mother fox and her two kits welcomed us on the road-sure to be a good day if mom brings the babies out to play! Thin clouds blew in and out and made for a comfortable skin up to the Castle-Foss saddle and on up to Foss Peak. We followed one other party up to the Saddle and later watched them climb Castle and drop into the Buttercreek drainage. Otherwise there was no one out. We celebrated our summit climb but then decided to head down when the clouds started rolling in and thunder rolled in the distance. We safely skirted the blow hole and thoroughly enjoyed the rollovers below the summit. The snow was well consolidated with minimal pollen (especially if you followed Ron and he graciously scraped it all off!) Thanks Ron. Coverage is starting to thin in the steeps above the Sunbeam Creek basin but is still holding. There are some cracks to watch for along the ridge to Foss and on some of the rollovers. The rock fall and debris are the bigger obstacles to dodge down lower. Overall, great snow and wonderfully consolidated now! As usual, great choice Ron. Thanks!