_image.jpg)
|
2011 DATES: (5 days)
July 9-13
July 30-August 3
Custom Dates Available:
Call our office to schedule your climb.
COST: $950
CLIENT TO GUIDE RATIO: 5:1
Climbing Grade: Beginner
|
|
The English navigator John Meares said in 1778 of this mountain, “If that not be the home where dwells the gods, it certainly is beautiful enough to be, and I therefore will call it Mount Olympus.” Although Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in the Olympic range, it remains relatively unknown, except by the climbing community who regards the ascent as a Northwest rite of passage. We pass through temperate rainforest, stands of towering old growth trees, and alpine lakes before making camp at Glacier Meadows. From here glacier climbing and rock scrambling lead to the summit. This is a true wilderness experience!
This incredible adventure takes you into the Olympic Mountains through one of the last remaining true old growth rainforests in the continental United States. The Olympic National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and as such is in the company of such wonders as the pyramids of Egypt, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.. For more info about this unique place go visit: http://www.cr.nps.gov/worldheritage/olym.htm.Our journey begins by hiking through impressive old growth, eventually arriving at a view of the heavily glaciated summit of Mount Olympus. The approach hike along the Hoh River is long but virtually flat, giving us ample opportunity to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the surrounding terrain.
While reaching the 7,962 foot high summit of the mountain is one objective of this trip, the abundance and diversity of natural beauty experienced on this trip makes it perhaps the most complete and rewarding mountain experience we offer in the Northwest. From our camp at Glacier Meadows, we will explore the various features of the 3.8 mile-long Blue Glacier and learn the necessary glacier travel skills for our ascent. Our climbing route takes us to the top of the Snow Dome, where two large glaciers originate, and then on to the summit pyramid where we scramble up rock of moderate difficulty.
On this climb we will cover:
- Selection and use of personal equipment, ropes, knots & harnesses
- Crampon use & snow climbing techniques, ice axe positioning, and self arrest techniques
- Roped glacier travel, rope team management, route finding, and crevasse navigation
- Hazard assessment including a discussion of objective vs. subjective hazards
- Camp construction, camp management, and cold weather camping skills
- Proper clothing and climbing gear for survival in the high mountains, mountain weather, alpine ecology, avalanche hazard assessment, and Leave No Trace ethics.
COST INCLUDES: Ground transportation, all meals while on the mountain, tents, stoves, cook kits, group climbing equipment, and guide services.
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airfare, transportation within Seattle, hotel accommodations, restaurant meals, gratuities for guides, and all personal items. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all participants.
|
General Information
|
|
WEATHER: Like all mountain ranges the weather in the Olympics is unpredictable and can roll in at any time limiting the productivity of your trip. Mountain Madness has no control over this weather and therefore last minute decisions are sometimes made to save the trip from being completely cancelled. However, sometimes waiting for the weather to pass is the best plan of action and it is not unusual to sit in the rain for a few days. It is also possible that the rain may not clear up and traveling to the east side of the mountains to go rock climbing is the best plan.
QUALIFICATIONS: It is not necessary to have previous mountaineering experience but it is recommended that you have had some camping and hiking experience. This trip is rated as strenuous and we can not overemphasize the importance of conditioning. Because everyone is required to carry a share of the group's equipment, be prepared to carry as much as 50 lbs. to base camp. Your enjoyment of the Olympic range mountain environment will be greatest if your heart, lungs and legs are in top physical condition.
Contact Us / Download an Application
|
Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Seattle to the trailhead on the Hoh River (600'). Including the ferry ride, it is about 5 hours to the trailhead. The trail through the Hoh Valley gains elevation very slowly and we usually cover 9-11 miles this day. As we hike, Giant Cedars, Sitka Spruce, Hemlock and Douglas fir tower above us. The lushness of the Hoh Rain Forest is rather overwhelming. It boasts a thousand shades of green and is home to several thousand plant species. The Northwest's temperate rain forests are believed to have more biological material than any ecosystem in the world: as much as 1 million pounds per acre!
Day 2: The trail ahead steepens as we pass out of the rain forest and into a temperate forest. By mid-afternoon we should reach our base camp near timberline at Glacier Meadows (4,500' and 16 miles). Small streams, mosses, wild flowers, and stands of Silver Fir give way to the rock and ice of the nearby alpine zones. As visitors to these most fragile zones, our group will strive to practice good wilderness etiquette and environmental responsibility. A brief climbing school will be held nearby after setting up camp.
Day 3: Today is our summit day. Following an early start the route follows the Blue Glacier to the Snow Dome. The final summit pyramid involves two short sections of moderate but exposed rock climbing. From the summit we should be able to see the Pacific Ocean and the jagged complex of the Olympic Mountains.
Day 4: Exploration of the Glacier Meadows ecosystem and the lower Blue Glacier area are priorities for this morning. We usually pack up and begin the trek back through the rain forest by noon.
Day 5: Depending on how many miles we cover the evening before, we usually have a relatively short distance to the cars. Most of the group is ready for a restaurant meal (not included in the cost), and we try to arrive back in Seattle by early evening. On the way back to the city, stopping for a soak in the Sol Duc Hot Springs is optional but certainly a treat to consider!
NOTE ON ITINERARY: There is an extra day scheduled into this itinerary to allow for bad weather or other unforeseen challenges. This gives us a little flexibility and a greater chance to reach the summit. Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, the very nature of climbing in an alpine environment requires flexibility. This itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.
TOP |
|
