Climbing Grade: Class 3, Grade II glacier travel, moderate snow, up to 5.4 rock
Trip Distance: 44 miles/ 70.8 km (3 days)
Trip Elevation: 7,400 ft/ 2,256 m
Season: May-August (can be icy in late season)
Custom Dates Available: Give us a call or send us an email to schedule a trip.
Cost: *Price includes guides, transportation, climbing permits, climbing equipment, meals and tents.
Client to Guide Ratio: 5:1
About the Climb
This climb takes you through spectacular old growth temperent rainforest, along tributary streams, Elk Lake, and Hoh River until you arrive at the largest glacier on Mount Olympus. The approach hike via the Hoh trail is 18 miles long, making this one of the longest approaches of any peak in Washington. However, the hike is fairly flat making it easy to enjoy the natural diversity of this area. Climbers endure this long approach because it is one of the few climbs that takes you through thick forest that basically ends at the glacier. Blue Glacier begins as an ice/snow field separated by aretes (knife-like ridges similar to that in the Alps). As it flows north, smooth ice becomes icefall abound with seracs and crevasses. Due to Mount Olympus’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, it also receives more precipitation than any other glacier in the lower 48 states. This precipitation contributes a significant amount of water via Glacier Creek to the Hoh River which runs 34 miles to the Pacific Ocean.
Skill Level
While it is not necessary to have previous mountaineering experience for this trip, this is a strenuous and steep climb on various terrains. Therefore, it is advisable to be in peak physical condition so that you can focus on learning and enjoying the adventure. You will also be required to carry a portion of the group’s equipment which can weigh as much as 50 lbs. to base camp. Previous hiking and camping experience is recommended.
Learning Objectives
Our goal at Rare Earth Adventures is to assist participants in gaining the technical skills and knowledge necessary for alpine climbing and mountaineering.
- Anchors
- Ascending fixed lines
- Belay techniques
- Cramponing
- Crevasse rescue
- Expedition camp life
- Hazard identification
- Ice axe use for self-belay and self-arrest
- Rappelling
- Roped glacier travel
- Route selection
- Running belays
- Weather assessment
ITINERARY
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
