June often brings the start of the mountaineering season. This season, however, Mountaineers were met with whiteouts, winds, and precip. It was enough to make many climb groups cancel their climbs.
Being conservative in the mountains is smart … Being too conservative might mean you will rarely climb in the Pacific Northwest. No matter the beta you get, nothing beats first hand experience. Forecasts & condition reports are generalized. Beta is often days old. If conditions do not exceed the group’s experience, it’s worth getting on the mountain and checking conditions yourself. You will notice that most guide companies rarely will cancel their trips. There is always something you can learn. If nothing else, playing on the lower parts of the mountain is one more experience under your belt. Challenging weather is often the best learning tool… Get out there, practice skills, and make the most of it!
