Climbing Mt. Olympus

Note: Mt. Olympus programs can be run in a seminar format by adding a day/night at the high camp. The extra day can be used to learn additional mountaineering techniques like anchors, crevasse rescue and ice climbing. All Mt. Olympus climbing programs incorporate a summit attempt.

We approach Mt. Olympus, which at 7,962 feet is the highest peak in the Olympic Mountain range, through 17 miles of luxuriant vegetation in the Hoh Rain Forest. Lamas are often used to get us to the toe of the Blue Glacier where the high camp is set up. The guided Mt. Olympus climb includes glacier travel and an interesting scramble to the top of the summit pyramid. We can also design this as a multiple day seminar trip to help you improve your climbing skills.

Special use permit issued by the Olympic National Park.

Itinerary 

• Day One - Group meets at 9:30 AM Hoh River ranger Station in Overnight Parking lot.  After final packing and lunch we walk 10-miles to camp at Lewis Meadows with our Llamas. Six hour hike total.
• Day Two - Today’s hike is just below the Snow Dome across the Blue Glacier. Early start after a nice breakfast. We have our Llamas until Elk Lake and then carry all our gear to our high camp. While on the Blue Glacier we take time to review basic   mountaineering techniques. Early dinner & bedtime. 7-8 Hours hiking time.
• Day Three - Summit Day on Mount Olympus- Early start (2:00-3:00 AM). We gain the Snow Dome and work our way to the upper ramparts including the final rock pyramid of Olympus. The summit lies at just under 8,000 feet in elevation. Descend to camp in Lewis Meadows- Long Day!!! 15-16 hours hiking/climbing.
• Day Four - After our final mountain breakfast we begin the 10-mile hike out to the Hoh River trailhead. Celebration Lunch at the “Hard Rain Café”. Drive back to Seattle and hotel near SeaTac Airport or downtown. Four-five hour hike.

Mt. Olympus programs can be run in a seminar format by adding a day/night at the high camp. The extra day can be used to learn additional mountaineering techniques like anchors, crevasse rescue and ice climbing. All Mt. Olympus climbing programs incorporate a summit attempt.

A final detailed itinerary will be e-mailed to enrolled participants 30 days prior to departure on international trips and 14 days prior to departure on domestic trips.

Experience Requirements

This can be a summit climb or a seminar format.

Equipment List

Clothing:

Long underwear top and bottom

Expedition weight long underwear top or wool shirt

Pile or thick wool sweater

Pile or thick wool pants

GORE-TEX® jacket

GORE-TEX® pants or bibs

Down jacket

Gaiters

Wool or pile cap

Face mask or balaclava

Heavy insulated shell gloves

Pile or wool gloves

Heavy mountaineering socks

Liner socks

Baseball cap

T-shirt

Hiking shorts

Gear:

Full size pack – 5000 to 6000 cubic inch capacity

Sleeping bag with stuff sack- rated to at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit

Sleeping pad

Plastic or leather mountaineering boots that can be used w/ crampons †

Snowshoes †

Avalanche transceiver †

Crampons – fitted to your boots †

Ice axe – 60 to 70 cm long †

Climbing harness †

One large pear shaped locking carabiner †

One mechanical ascender with one non-locking carabiner

Climbing helmet †

Ski poles – with the baskets attached †

Head lamp- with a new battery and spare bulb †

Dark glasses – with side shields and UV rated

Ski goggles or spare glasses

Two water bottles – 1 liter wide mouth with a personalized identifying mark

Pocket knife

Sunscreen – spf 15 minimum

Lip balm- spf 15 minimum

Eating utensils – bowl, insulated cup, spoon

Camera and film

Iodine tablets

Personal lunch – for three days

† Items with an asterisk are available for loan from Northwest Mountain Guides