JRB - Aug 2, 2013 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2012
2nd time on the Blue
Came back from our first trip to the Blue in 2009 this time to get the summit. Perfect day.
AlexeyD - Aug 2, 2013 1:29 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2013
Amazing!
Beautiful summit day with undercast and views from Mt. Hood to Mt. Baker. Went up Crystal Pass and then took the North Ridge (5.4) variation to gain the summit. Route to Crystal Pass was still in fine shape, but goes between 2 large crevasses along a steep slope; a fall here would put the entire rope team into the lower crevasse, so be careful! Getting onto the North Ridge requires going around a moat that may have gotten bigger since we were there. There are currently a couple of (questionable) intermediate rap anchors en route, in case you brought less than a 60-m rope. Otherwise, with a 60 you can get all the way down to the snow from the big slung boulder near the summit. Not sure how much longer the route has this season due to the unusually large schrunds near CP, so glad to have gotten it when we did!
I climbed Olympus round trip in 16 hrs 3 minutes. See my trip report http://www.summitpost.org/mount-olympus-in-a-day/857932
drdown - Nov 23, 2012 1:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2012
Crystal Pass
Climbed Olympus for a charity group called Bay Area Wilderness Training. My favorite climb to date, perfect weather and unbeatable conditions. A truly profound experience. Will be back up there soon hopefully!
olygtx06 - Sep 22, 2012 12:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2012
summit
1x via Blue Glacier in three days. Probably my favorite climb.
Crystal Pass with two other teams. See our trip report
patdarcy - Feb 21, 2012 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2011
Valhallas to Olympus
Great hike/easy climb up the Valhallas. Would have loved to get up on Olympus but a rain/sleet storm caused me to bail (and my dog was getting grouchy and stubborn by that point). Otherwise, great time and highly recommended!
Daria - Oct 22, 2011 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2011
22 hour dayhike
Beautiful area and great climb, 22 hour dayhike
MBFN - Sep 5, 2011 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2010
MBFN
This was my 3rd time up. We took 4 days each time. Awesome mountain.
skjos - Aug 31, 2011 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2011
Crystal Pass
Trip itenerary:
Day 1 - Lewis Meadows
Day 2 - Panic Peak
Day 3 - Summit and back to Lewis Meadows
Day 4 - Out
This schedule worked great, except Day 3 was long and the last 3 miles resulted in some limping. The east face summit block can be handled with no rock pro, just some slings and a rope for the 20' rappel past the high 4th class move.
Norman - Aug 21, 2011 6:52 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Long Trip
Resigning Log, 2nd time for me...about 35 years ago with Seattle Mountaineers, now with son and friend. Ideal weather, no crowds, very enjoyable trip.
iquest4it - Aug 18, 2011 1:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2011
Blind climber summits
I guided my blind friend Toby to the summit via the Ho River/Blue Glacier Route with a new climbing partner, Bryan. We never saw the east side summit scramble and ended up climbing the west ridge, which was mostly 5.4 with one or two 5.7 moves in just 2 pitches. All but three of the 30+ climbers we talked to coming down backed down from this summit block, so we had a real feeling of accomplishment. Best of all, they forecast showers, but we were above the clouds for 3 days and felt like we were flying between them on the summit. I've climbed higher and harder, but this was the most rewarding climb of my life.
Snidely Whiplash - Aug 8, 2011 9:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 1984
Beautiful beyond words
I've climbed a lot of mountains. This is probably the most beautiful mountain I've ever seen. The view from the top of the Blue Glacier Moraine is out of this world.
Dundeel - Aug 4, 2011 7:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2009
Great Climb
Climbed this one with Dave C., Don N., Richard C., and Adam H.. Beautiful weather with late season conditions on the Blue. Went via Crystal Pass, north side snow ramp, the sidewalk, and SE corner climb. One member sprained ankle on the way back to base camp, leading to a long painfull walk out.
The Elves - Aug 3, 2011 11:12 am Date Climbed: May 5, 2004
Haliku
The original log for this mountain was accidentally deleted. SP member Haliku, who died in a climbing accident in 2010, had signed the log. Here is his entry:
"Route Climbed: Blue Glacier Date Climbed: May 5, 2004
We had the mountain to ourselves. Conditions were perfect with occasional times in the clouds once we were on the snow dome. We used the early season route options whenever possible. The crux of the climb was the west peak as it was covered in snow and ice. A short ice climb on the north side allowed me to put a belay in for my partners, Axe and Old Guide, to climb up and join me on the top.
It was a long day due to the early season conditions. We took 14.5 hours round trip from Glacier Meadows. Click here for the trip report."
Here is the trip report mentioned: http://www.summitpost.org/an-excessively-wet-adventure-mt-olympus-wa/169522.
Here is a screen shot of the original entry: http://www.summitpost.org/haliku-s-olympus-log-entry/734832.
gimpilator - Aug 1, 2011 7:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2011
4th Of July Route On The 5th Of July
Yes, the approach is long but it's well worth it. This was my first rock climb. See the the trip report and video.
Redwic - Aug 1, 2011 11:49 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2011
One Of The Best!!!
The most dangerous part of the Blue Glacier was the lateral moraine that needed to be descended. The moraine had a lot of loose rocks and dirt; rockfall was constantly a concern. Due to the near-record snow year, the glacial crevasses were still only minor cracks. The Snow Dome also had a couple of minor cracks; nothing major. From the Snow Dome we were able to ascend the "Fourth of July" route; we later got the impression that we might have used that route later than anyone else has, due to the high snowpack lasting into early July.
My 36th Washington CoHP and my 37th Washington CoGPP.
YEM - Aug 1, 2011 3:37 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2011
The Blue Glacier
I climbed Olympus with a great group of Mazamas: Dan, Caleb, Rich and Dyanne. The glacier was in excellent condition because of massive snows over the winter and our route through Crystal Pass never got very steep. Luckily, our weather held out for 4 days in one of the rainiest locations in the lower 48. We ran into Bud, who has been climbing the mountain for over 30 years. He remembers when the Blue Glacier came all the way up the moraine! Global warming aside, this mountain is near the top of the list of all my climbing experiences. The massif and location have something extra that I haven't found anywhere else.
JRB - Aug 2, 2013 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2012
2nd time on the BlueCame back from our first trip to the Blue in 2009 this time to get the summit. Perfect day.
AlexeyD - Aug 2, 2013 1:29 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2013
Amazing!Beautiful summit day with undercast and views from Mt. Hood to Mt. Baker. Went up Crystal Pass and then took the North Ridge (5.4) variation to gain the summit. Route to Crystal Pass was still in fine shape, but goes between 2 large crevasses along a steep slope; a fall here would put the entire rope team into the lower crevasse, so be careful! Getting onto the North Ridge requires going around a moat that may have gotten bigger since we were there. There are currently a couple of (questionable) intermediate rap anchors en route, in case you brought less than a 60-m rope. Otherwise, with a 60 you can get all the way down to the snow from the big slung boulder near the summit. Not sure how much longer the route has this season due to the unusually large schrunds near CP, so glad to have gotten it when we did!
joshdreher - Jul 24, 2013 3:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2013
In a DayI climbed Olympus round trip in 16 hrs 3 minutes. See my trip report http://www.summitpost.org/mount-olympus-in-a-day/857932
drdown - Nov 23, 2012 1:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2012
Crystal PassClimbed Olympus for a charity group called Bay Area Wilderness Training. My favorite climb to date, perfect weather and unbeatable conditions. A truly profound experience. Will be back up there soon hopefully!
olygtx06 - Sep 22, 2012 12:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2012
summit1x via Blue Glacier in three days. Probably my favorite climb.
tcingrum - Sep 19, 2012 8:40 pm
Long haulGood way to test your boots. If you can hit the weather right it's an awesome experience
kevinsa - Sep 15, 2012 6:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2011
Mount OlympusAwesome trip. Everyone should do this one at least once.
pookster1127 - Jul 29, 2012 11:21 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2012
Perfect Conditions 2012Crystal Pass with two other teams. See our trip report
patdarcy - Feb 21, 2012 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2011
Valhallas to OlympusGreat hike/easy climb up the Valhallas. Would have loved to get up on Olympus but a rain/sleet storm caused me to bail (and my dog was getting grouchy and stubborn by that point). Otherwise, great time and highly recommended!
Daria - Oct 22, 2011 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2011
22 hour dayhikeBeautiful area and great climb, 22 hour dayhike
MBFN - Sep 5, 2011 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2010
MBFNThis was my 3rd time up. We took 4 days each time. Awesome mountain.
skjos - Aug 31, 2011 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2011
Crystal PassTrip itenerary:
Day 1 - Lewis Meadows
Day 2 - Panic Peak
Day 3 - Summit and back to Lewis Meadows
Day 4 - Out
This schedule worked great, except Day 3 was long and the last 3 miles resulted in some limping. The east face summit block can be handled with no rock pro, just some slings and a rope for the 20' rappel past the high 4th class move.
Norman - Aug 21, 2011 6:52 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Long TripResigning Log, 2nd time for me...about 35 years ago with Seattle Mountaineers, now with son and friend. Ideal weather, no crowds, very enjoyable trip.
iquest4it - Aug 18, 2011 1:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2011
Blind climber summitsI guided my blind friend Toby to the summit via the Ho River/Blue Glacier Route with a new climbing partner, Bryan. We never saw the east side summit scramble and ended up climbing the west ridge, which was mostly 5.4 with one or two 5.7 moves in just 2 pitches. All but three of the 30+ climbers we talked to coming down backed down from this summit block, so we had a real feeling of accomplishment. Best of all, they forecast showers, but we were above the clouds for 3 days and felt like we were flying between them on the summit. I've climbed higher and harder, but this was the most rewarding climb of my life.
Snidely Whiplash - Aug 8, 2011 9:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 1984
Beautiful beyond wordsI've climbed a lot of mountains. This is probably the most beautiful mountain I've ever seen. The view from the top of the Blue Glacier Moraine is out of this world.
Dundeel - Aug 4, 2011 7:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2009
Great ClimbClimbed this one with Dave C., Don N., Richard C., and Adam H.. Beautiful weather with late season conditions on the Blue. Went via Crystal Pass, north side snow ramp, the sidewalk, and SE corner climb. One member sprained ankle on the way back to base camp, leading to a long painfull walk out.
The Elves - Aug 3, 2011 11:12 am Date Climbed: May 5, 2004
HalikuThe original log for this mountain was accidentally deleted. SP member Haliku, who died in a climbing accident in 2010, had signed the log. Here is his entry:
"Route Climbed: Blue Glacier Date Climbed: May 5, 2004
We had the mountain to ourselves. Conditions were perfect with occasional times in the clouds once we were on the snow dome. We used the early season route options whenever possible. The crux of the climb was the west peak as it was covered in snow and ice. A short ice climb on the north side allowed me to put a belay in for my partners, Axe and Old Guide, to climb up and join me on the top.
It was a long day due to the early season conditions. We took 14.5 hours round trip from Glacier Meadows. Click here for the trip report."
Here is the trip report mentioned: http://www.summitpost.org/an-excessively-wet-adventure-mt-olympus-wa/169522.
Here is a screen shot of the original entry: http://www.summitpost.org/haliku-s-olympus-log-entry/734832.
gimpilator - Aug 1, 2011 7:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2011
4th Of July Route On The 5th Of JulyYes, the approach is long but it's well worth it. This was my first rock climb. See the the trip report and video.
Redwic - Aug 1, 2011 11:49 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2011
One Of The Best!!!The most dangerous part of the Blue Glacier was the lateral moraine that needed to be descended. The moraine had a lot of loose rocks and dirt; rockfall was constantly a concern. Due to the near-record snow year, the glacial crevasses were still only minor cracks. The Snow Dome also had a couple of minor cracks; nothing major. From the Snow Dome we were able to ascend the "Fourth of July" route; we later got the impression that we might have used that route later than anyone else has, due to the high snowpack lasting into early July.
My 36th Washington CoHP and my 37th Washington CoGPP.
YEM - Aug 1, 2011 3:37 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2011
The Blue GlacierI climbed Olympus with a great group of Mazamas: Dan, Caleb, Rich and Dyanne. The glacier was in excellent condition because of massive snows over the winter and our route through Crystal Pass never got very steep. Luckily, our weather held out for 4 days in one of the rainiest locations in the lower 48. We ran into Bud, who has been climbing the mountain for over 30 years. He remembers when the Blue Glacier came all the way up the moraine! Global warming aside, this mountain is near the top of the list of all my climbing experiences. The massif and location have something extra that I haven't found anywhere else.