Hal Foss Peak
{{short description|Mountain in Washington (state), United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Hal Foss Peak
| photo = Hal Foss Peak.jpg
| photo_caption = South aspect
| etymology = Harold Alfred "Hal" Foss
| elevation_ft = 7179
| elevation_ref = Olympic Mountain Rescue, Olympic Mountains: A Climbing Guide, 4th Edition, 2006, Mountaineers Books, {{ISBN|9780898862065}}, page 146.
| prominence_ft = 419
| prominence_ref = [http://www.climbersguideolympics.com/peaks/gray-wolf-hurricane-ridge-group/hal-foss-peak Hal Foss Peak, climbersguideolympics.com]
| isolation_mi = 0.60
| isolation_ref = {{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/49415|title=Hal Foss Peak - 7,179' WA|website=listsofjohn.com|access-date=2022-01-31}}
| parent_peak = Mount Mystery (7,639 ft)
| part_type = Protected area | part = Olympic National Park
| country = United States
| state = Washington
| region = Jefferson
| region_type = County
| range = Olympic Mountains
| map = Washington#USA
| map_caption = Location in Washington
| coordinates = {{coord|47.7993488|N|123.2093700|W|type:mountain_region:US-WA_scale:100000_source:ngs|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| topo = USGS Mount Deception
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = {{YDS|2}} scrambling via Mt. Fricaba
}}
Hal Foss Peak is a {{convert|7179|ft|m|adj=mid|-elevation|0}} mountain summit located in the Olympic Mountains, in Jefferson County of Washington state.{{cite gnis|id=1520449|name=Hal Foss Peak|accessdate=2022-01-31}} It is situated within Olympic National Park, and the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Mystery, {{convert|0.6|mi|km}} to the southwest, and Mount Fricaba is {{convert|0.74|mi|km}} to the northeast.{{cite peakbagger|944|Hal Foss Peak, Washington}} Precipitation runoff from the peak drains east to the Dungeness River via Heather Creek, and west into Deception Creek which is a tributary of the Dosewallips River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,800 feet (853 m) above Heather Creek in approximately one mile.
Etymology
The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1977 by the United States Board on Geographic Names to honor Harold Alfred "Hal" Foss (1922–1974), the first Search and Rescue coordinator for the Washington State Department of Emergency Services.Olympic Mountain Rescue, Olympic Mountains: A Climbing Guide, 4th Edition, 2006, Mountaineers Books, {{ISBN|9780898862065}}, page 146. He was instrumental in forming the National Search and Rescue Coordinators Association, of which he was president.Decisions on Geographic Names in the United States, Decision List 7703, (1977), Department of the Interior, page 20. He was also president of the Mountain Rescue Association, chairman of the Washington Mountain Rescue Council, and member of the American Alpine Club.[http://c498469.r69.cf2.rackcdn.com/1977/inmemoriam1977_306-315.pdf The American Alpine Journal, page 314.] Foss died of a heart attack while climbing Mount St. Helens with his 18-year-old son Lynn on July 14, 1974.Appalachia, Volume 40, (1974), page 130.
Climate
Hal Foss Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.{{cite book|last=McNulty|first=Tim|title=Olympic National Park: A Natural History|year=2009|publisher=University of Washington Press|location=Seattle, Washington}} Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow. As a result, the Olympics experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. During winter months weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Hal Foss Peak.
Gallery
File:Mystery, Hal Foss, Fricaba.jpg|Mount Mystery (left), Hal Foss Peak (center), and Mount Fricaba (right).
File:Looking south from Marmot Pass.jpg|Hal Foss Peak to left with Mount Mystery looming directly behind it.
Mount Fricaba to right. View from Marmot Pass.
File:Mystery and Deception from Constance.jpg|The two prominent peaks in the distance are Mts. Mystery and Deception.
Hal Foss Peak can be seen between them. View is from Mt. Constance.
See also
{{Portal|Mountains}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/olym |title=Olympic National Park |publisher=National Park Service}}
- Weather: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5796506/United%20States/Washington/Jefferson/Hal%20Foss%20Peak Hal Foss Peak]
- Tribute to Hal Foss: [https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nasar/pages/490/attachments/original/1454258567/1974_Fall_SARMagazine.pdf?1454258567 Search and Rescue Magazine]
- Hal Foss Peak photo: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/mvanderbilt/3712308086/in/album-72157621189650079/ Flickr]
Category:Mountains of Washington (state)
Category:Mountains of Jefferson County, Washington