Fifty miles and three days of backpacking for one humble pitch of 5.6 rock. True. And we felt that at times. But yet, this was hands down one of the most aesthetic climbs I’ve led.
Starting at the Pacific Ocean, my partner and I followed the Hoh River up through old growth rainforest and deep into the heart of Washington State's Olympic National Park. Past herds of elk, vibrant mushrooms, and some of the largest trees in the world. We made a base camp at the foot of the Blue Glacier, 18 miles up river and 4300 feet above sea level.
The stars glittered as we crossed the lower Blue Glacier the following morning. Sunrise splashed across the icefalls as we climbed the steep ice of Snow Dome. The Pacific Ocean stretched out as far as we could see. Canada was clearly visible across the Straight of Juan de Fuca. We roped up and navigated the upper Blue Glacier crevasse field in late season, heading up and over Crystal Pass. One more traverse across the backside of the Blue Glacier and we were at the 4th class scramble over the false summit.
The true summit pyramid was a chill but wildly exposed pitch of 5.6 rock climbing. I led the pitch, built an anchor at the top, and belayed Justin up to me while he cleaned my gear. 7980 feet below, the Pacific Ocean sparkled in the bright afternoon light, reaching out beyond the horizon. We had lunch on the summit before rappelling down, and the tedium of crossing all those glaciers back to base camp.
The final morning we packed up camp early, and cranked out the remaining 18 miles back through the rainforest's dense valley fog and out to the coast.
Feel free to message me with any questions or comments below!
IG: @RadishUprooted
Filmed on 8.31.24 - 9.2.24
50 miles, 10k vert
CHAPTERS
0:00 📍Day 1: Hoh River Trailhead to Glacier Meadows
3:24 📍Day 2: Glacier Meadows to Mount Olympus Summit
7:36 📍Day 3: Summit to Glacier Meadows
8:42 📍Glacier Meadows to Hoh River Trailhead