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Trip Report    

Intermediate Alpine Climb - Colchuck Peak/North Buttress Couloir

Bailed on the couloir due to avi conditions, scrambled to the colchuck glacier col instead.

  • Road rough but passable
  • Spiking temps increased avi conditions considerably.

5/21/17 - we were aware of the avi conditions going in and had planned on bailing if the conditions weren't good in the couloir.   Started at the trailhead since we didn't get a permit at 4am.  Thought the coloir wouldn't be getting sun till later in the morning but by 8am it was already in full sun before we got there.  Made the call to bail at the lake, stashed the climbing gear and decided to do the basic route. Rangers the previous morning and advised everyone to be off the glacier by 2pm so we topped out on the col at noon and descended.   Snow was too loose to attempt the Colchuck summit via the basic route on the final face from the col.   Many loose wet avalanches on the sun facing slopes.