Basic Rock Climb - Lundin Peak/West Ridge

The weather forecast did not agree with taking students on a climb this time. A week prior, we were getting conflicting forecasts for Snoqualmie Mountain and the neighboring mountain. Some forecasts showed rain stopping after 5 AM, while others predicted rain until 8 AM, with cloudy weather and rain resuming at 2 PM, giving us a narrow window for the climb.

On Sunday morning, after a night of heavy rain and thunderstorms, three different weather forecasts converged, indicating rain would stop at 5 AM and pick up again at 2 PM, with thunderstorms expected around 5 PM. Although we had a decent weather window and an early start, the continued rainfall from the previous day and overcast conditions made it unlikely that the rock would dry enough for confident climbing, especially for basic climbers.

While a more experienced group could contend with the high exposure on the route, I was concerned about the possibility of being caught on the rock at 2 PM when rain was projected to resume. I didn't want to put the group at risk, considering the high exposure.

I made the call to cancel the climb. I felt we were trying to force something that didn't need to be forced. There will always be other opportunities to summit this mountain under better conditions. The group agreed, and instead, we did a conditioning hike up Snoqualmie Mountain, with plenty of stops to enjoy the ripe blueberries and huckleberries.

This was the extent of the discussion that I had in front of the entire team, so that they would understand what went into my thought process and risk management, something I think more leaders could set a good example at doing.