Mount Olympus Summit

GALLERY

DETAILS

Mount Olympus Climb

Summiting Mount Olympus is a difficult and rewarding endeavor, requiring a 17.5 mile approach and 5,000 feet of elevation gain. This is one of the longest approaches of any climb in Washington State. For this reason previous backpacking experience is required for this trip, but previous mountaineering experience is not. We will do this trip in four days, with one spare day in the event of weather. Journeying through the Hoh Rainforest past ancient old-growth trees, we follow the Hoh River into the heart of the Olympic Range and make camp in Glacier Meadows. From the toe of the Blue Glacier we do a long push to the summit, crossing moraine, glacier, ascending steep snow slopes, and scrambling up rock steps. Never will standing at 7,980 feet feel so rewarding. Take in unobstructed views of the Olympic Range in all directions before descending back to camp.

En route to base camp our professional guides will teach you how to become more efficient as a hiker and backpacker. This will include how to pack and adjust your pack, what gear to take and leave behind, and how to choose work to rest ratios that will allow you to cover a lot of ground without becoming too tired. Once at camp guides will help you perfect camp set-up, review Leave-No-Trace camping techniques, and provide camp cooking instruction as needed.

Although our time is limited due to the length of the approach we will cover basic snow walking techniques with and without crampons before the Mount Olympus climb. It is very helpful if trip participants have previous experience using crampons, ice axes, and traveling on steep snow slopes prior to the climb to expedite these lessons. Confidence on fourth-class rock is necessary to reach the summit. Guides can use ropes to add security for this portion of the route, but comfort scrambling on steep rocky terrain will greatly speed the ascent and add a margin of safety.

Route: Hoh River Trail to Lewis Meadows, Glacier meadows, and summit via Crystal Pass route.

Camping sites: Lewis Meadows (1 night), Glacier Meadows (2 nights), Happy Four (1 night)

Duration

4-5 Days

Passport

Not required for Americans

Minimum Age

13 years old

Activity

Mountaineering

Accommodation

Tents

PRICE BASIS

PRICE INCLUDES

Stoves/Cook Kits
Tents
Group climbing equipment
Guide Services
Pre-trip Planning/Information session on packing and gear
Backpacking, mountaineering, and general outdoor safety skills
Wilderness permits

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Transportation (We will help arrange carpools or transportation can be provided for extra fees)
All Meals, Hot Drinks or Snacks
Gratuities for Guides
National Parks Entrance Fee

ITINERARY

Important:Itinerary is subject to group speed, weather, and many other factors that influence the success of summiting Mount Olympus. There is time for a fifth day if needed in order to ensure a safe climb if any climb at all.

Day 1 at Mount Olympus

We meet in Seattle and drive to the Hoh River Trailhead, about 5 hours with a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound. Our Mount Olympus climb starts with a comfortable walk through the mystical Hoh Valley. We cover about ten miles on this day, but will hardly notice the change in elevation. This beautiful stretch of temperate rainforest is home to old-growth giants such as Cedars, Sitka Spruce, Hemlock and Douglas Firs. Shade-tolerant plant species cover the forest floor in dense green foliage all around us, and it is said that the Northwest temperate rain forests have more biological material than any ecosystem in the world. 10 miles, 400’ gain.

Day 2 at Mount Olympus

As today’s trail steepens, we exit the rainforest for higher ground and approach alpine territory. Scenery changes drastically as we climb Mount Olympus higher, from lush mosses to wintered trees and sharp rocks. The fragility of nature is expressed from this transition, and we are reminded of our role as environmental stewards in one of the best preserved regions of the US. Nearing the tree line lies our base camp, Glacier Meadows. We use this evening to review our summit plans, and turn in early to rest for the big day ahead. 7.5 miles, 3300’ gain

Day 3 at Mount Olympus

We wake early then slip on our light packs for the Mount Olympus summit. Our route crosses the Blue Glacier and ascends the Snow Dome at 6600’. The ice conditions will determine our next move, which may involve maneuvering around the false summit. The final push involves two short pitches in order to scale the summit. Standing at the highest point in the Olympic Mountains awards you with an unrivaled view of the Pacific Ocean, as well as the chaotic sight of the rest of the range. We make our way back to Glacier Meadows, where we may want to rest for the night if we had a particularly tough day. Alternatively we can pack up and head down to Lewis Meadow to make a short day hiking out tomorrow. Up to 16.5 miles, 3700’ gain, 7000’ loss.

Day 4 at Mount Olympus

We wake early and break camp. Today we enjoy a long walk through the dense forest to the trailhead. It may be a somber drive through the scenic countryside as we say goodbye to this incredible park. 10 miles, 400’ loss.

FAQs

General FAQ's

Testimonials

What an awesome experience to go on climbing Mt. Rainier with Miyar Adventures. Sandeep and his team of guides ( Kirk, Alexis, Joe, Ben, Chris, Jasmin ) did an awesome job to lead the multiple rope teams trough snow skill preparations and guiding through safely on glacier journey. The amount of efforts put into multi-month preparation, pre-trip meetings, accessibility to gears for rent and attention to details with food/weight/personal gears were all instrumental in almost all of us (in a group of 24) able to summit Mt. Rainier and have wonderful memories. We knew we were in best company and safe hands with prior experience with Miyar Adventures led climb to Mt. Baker and few other preparation trips. And guides calibrated their approach from novice climbers to experienced climbers to push enough to have an enjoyable experience. I highly recommend to go with Miyar Adventures on amazing trips they have lined up around the Puget Sound Area and internationally.
Harshit Shah
Sandeep is possibly the best person (Miyar and guides) in the business to take you on the mountains. Anyone who has trained with him to summit Rainier over the years can tell you how much he cares about his peeps. Talk to him and he can always find a way to make it happen. I have been trying to climb Rainier for few years with personal constraints (need to be always available, can return anytime, 24*7 sat phone access etc) and many times I had to return mid climb from big ones like Baker and Rainier. It was really easy to talk to the guides about this situation. I never once felt unsafe on the mountains. This is a big deal given how much we learnt when it comes to snow skills and glacier training. Be safe and go with Miyar!
Vivek Garg
Loved the experience training and climbing for Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. I highly recommend going via them. The climb was very well managed with experienced guides. Sandeep assisted me and guided me for several months while training.
Ravi Jaiswal