Mount Olympus Planning
7,980FT / 2,432M | Washington10:00 am Gear Check Day Before Climb Begins
Meet at the Alpine Ascents Office at 9:45 am for a mandatory gear check beginning at 10:00 am the day before your climb is scheduled to begin. This gear check will last about 1-1.5 hours. You are required to attend this meeting. Please review the Gear Check information and come prepared. Please note transportation is not provided on this climb.
Getting to Seattle
If you are flying into Seattle, SeaTac is the closest airport to our office. You are responsible for transportation between the airport and your hotel.
Getting from the Airport to the Office
Our office is 30-50 minutes from the airport (depending on traffic). Because you will drive yourself to the mountain, most climbers coming from out of town will rent a car at the airport. If you are not renting a car, you can take a Lyft, Uber, or taxi directly from the airport to our office.
Another option is taking the Light Rail (public transit) from the airport station to Westlake Station, followed by a Lyft/Uber/taxi the last 1.8 miles to the office. The Light Rail is $3 for this one-way trip and is easy to navigate from the airport.
Parking for Gear Check
Due to our location in the heart of Seattle, free parking can be difficult to locate in the vicinity of Alpine Ascents. Most parking is 2-hour metered street parking, and you may need to find a spot several blocks from our office. Please allow sufficient time before your gear check to park your vehicle.
8:00 AM Day 1 of Climb – Meet at Hoh Rainforest Ranger Station
The team will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Hoh Rainforest Ranger Station on the Olympic Peninsula. Climbers are responsible for their own transportation. This is a 4+ hour drive from our Seattle office.
We strongly recommend staying close to the trailhead the night before the climb rather than staying in Seattle. The closest town to the trailhead with hotel options is Forks, WA.
Day 5 of Climb
You will return to the trailhead usually between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the last day of the climb. The team will de-issue gear at the trailhead at the conclusion of the climb. Climbers do not need to return to the Alpine Ascents Office after the climb.
Air travelers are strongly advised against booking flights out until the day after your climb concludes. Trip schedules will not be adjusted to accommodate return flights booked on the same day your climb concludes.
Lodging
We recommend booking a room for the night before your climb and for the night your climb concludes. Because the drive from Seattle to the trailhead is 4+ hours, climbers should book lodging close to the mountain the night before the climb rather than staying in Seattle. The closest town to the trailhead is Forks, WA.
We de-issue rental gear at the trailhead at the end of Day 5, so you are free to book lodging wherever you prefer that night. We strongly advise against flying out until the day after your climb concludes. Trip schedules will not be adjusted to accommodate return flights booked on the same day your climb concludes.
Recommended Forks Hotels
Hoh Valley Cabins at Elk Meadows
360-374-5111
Miller Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast
(360) 374-6806
Huckleberry Lodge
(360) 477-7232
Recommended Seattle Hotels
The MarQueen Hotel: One block from our office and often able to offer a discount for our climbers. They are helpful and familiar with our programs. Please book early as Seattle hotels can be fully booked in summer months.
Reserve by phone: (206) 282-7407 (888) 445-3076. Mention you are with Alpine Ascents to get a discount, if available.
Reserve online: The Marqueen Hotel. Use promotional code “Alpine” to get discount.
We are located in lower Queen Anne, downtown Seattle, and are a short walk or taxi ride away from many other hotels. You may elect to stay in any one of the numerous hotels in the area. You will be responsible for getting to our office for your gear check the day before your climb and morning departure on Day 1 of the climb.
Other Hotels Nearby:
Mediterranean Inn
(206) 428-4700
The Maxwell Hotel
(877) 298-9728
10:00 am Gear Check
(Day Before Climb Begins)
Meet at the Alpine Ascents Office at 9:45 am for a mandatory gear check beginning at 10:00 am. This takes place the day before your climb is scheduled to begin. This meeting will last approximately 1.5-2 hours.
Gear check is required. We will distribute and fit rental gear, do a thorough check of your gear, provide packing instruction, check personal lunch items, review the climbing route and trip itinerary, and answer any questions you may have.
You may attend the gear check in your normal street clothes.
What to Bring: Please bring all of your gear to gear check. Note that you do not need to pack carefully, as we look at every item together. Rental gear will be picked up at the gear check. You are responsible to bring all gear on the gear list except what you rent from Alpine Ascents.
Check out this video that talks through the 3 Day Rainier gear list. The gear list for your climb is not exactly the same, but should give you a basic understanding of the gear you will need for your climb. Please refer to the link above when packing and preparing for your Mount Olympus climb.
Learn how to pack like a pro.
Gear List
Our climbs experience highly variable weather. The gear list is developed for comfort and preparedness in all conditions. There may be occasions when required items are not used because of current weather. Your guide will adjust the gear requirements on Day 1 if necessary.
You are required to bring every item on this list as described so be as precise as possible when packing. Alpine Ascents rents quality equipment at reasonable rates. Gear is also available for purchase at the Alpine Ascents Gear Shop where climbers on an Alpine Ascents expedition will receive a discount.
Packing Suggestions
- Line the inside of your pack with sturdy plastic (trash compactor bags work best).
- You will help carry some of the group equipment, so make sure there is some additional room in and on your pack.
- Read our blog post on How to Downsize your Pack to balance weight with luxury items.
Gear Guide
For more information on the different pieces of gear and clothing needed for mountaineering, check out our Gear Guide.
Menu Planning
You are required to bring your own lunches. On-mountain breakfasts, hot drinks, and dinners are provided on the climb. Notify our office if you have specific food allergies or dietary restrictions.
For most climbs in the alpine environment, we eat approximately every hour during brief rest breaks. This constant intake is the most efficient way to fuel our bodies and meter our energy output as we climb. We do not stop for long “lunch breaks.” Your lunches should be quick to eat and require little prep. No lunch item should require the use of a stove.
Basic Principles
A climbing or backpacking outing in the wilderness requires higher energy expenditure on a daily basis than what you may be used to. Eating well and frequently not only sustains energy levels but also boosts morale and attitude. In addition, mountains often challenge climbers with inclement weather. It is important that caloric intake be high and regular to help avoid hypothermia and other cold weather or altitude-related problems.
Consider foods which are light and compact. Balance this consideration with nutritional needs and packing foods which taste good to you. Packaging should be minimal, but without sacrificing good organization and weather-protection.
You will be responsible for providing your own lunches for 5 days. Listed below are sample lunch menus and a packing list for your climb. It is extremely important to bring the listed calorie amounts, though the exact items you bring may vary according to your preferences.
Here is a sample of the types of things people bring with them for their daily lunches.
Day 1: Hoh Ranger Station – Olympic Guard Station – 9 miles, 370′ gain
Plan to bring approximately 1000 calories of lunch food for this day.
- Cold pizza or fresh sandwich
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- Your favorite candy bar
- Piece of fresh fruit
- Cold drink mix for your water
Day 2: Olympic Guard Station – Glacier Meadows – 8.2 miles, 3,252′ gain
Plan to bring 600-800 calories of lunch food for this day.
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- Your favorite candy bar
- Some hard candies or chocolates
Day 3: Summit Day! – 8-10 hours round trip, 3,765′ gain
Plan to bring approximately 1200 calories of lunch food for this day.
- 4 energy bars
- 2 energy gels
- Your favorite candy bar
- Canister of Pringles
Day 4: Glacier Meadows – Olympic Guard Station – 8.2 miles, 3,252′ loss
Plan to bring approximately 500 calories of lunch food for this day.
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- 2 energy gels
- Your favorite candy bar
Day 5: Olympic Guard Station – Hoh Ranger Station – 9 miles, 370′ loss
Plan to bring approximately 500 calories of lunch food for this day.
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- 2 energy gels
- Your favorite candy bar
This list is intended as a sample packing/shopping list to create a complete “lunch bag” suitable for a 5-day climb. These items can be used in conjunction or as a substitute for the above menu sample.
Jerky (Beef, Turkey, or Soy) 8–10 oz Bag
Trail Mix 3 cup
Salty Snack Mix 1 qt
Energy Bars 3 Bars
Corn Nuts 2 Packets
Large Cookies 3 Packs
Candy Bars 3 Bars
Granola Bars 3 Bars
Crackers (Peanut butter or Cheese) 3 Packages
Bagels (1 per day) 5 Bagels
String Cheese 4 sticks
Cheddar Cheese Squares 3 Squares
Mini Cheese Rounds 3 Rounds
Mixed Dried Fruit 1/2 qt Bag
Hard Candy 1/2 qt Bag
Cold Drink Mix (w/ electrolytes) 5 Packets
Energy Gel 4 Packets
Gallon Zip-lock Bag 2 Bags
Caloric info: www.whatscookingamerica.net/NutritionalChart.htm
Not sure where to start? Check out this video to see what we pack for lunch on a 3 Day Mount Rainier climb. It’s a great starting point for planning your own mountain menu.
Breakfasts & Dinners Provided
Alpine Ascents provides breakfasts, dinners, soups, and hot drinks for summit climbs. We will be packing in everything we need for our 5 days in the mountains, including tents, stoves, and food. The tents and stoves will be provided by Alpine Ascents, but group gear is distributed evenly across the team. In the best interest of our climbers we provide a selection of freeze-dried meals to choose from during your gear check in order to save weight and space on the longer approach.
Guides will treat drinking water and you will be able to resupply at each camp.
On the Mountain
All Nights of Climb
Sleeping arrangements: 2 per tent.
Bathroom: Go Anywhere Waste Kits (pack it out).
Cell coverage: Sporadic service with various providers. Clear days offer better cellular reception.
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Before your climb, please become familiar with Leave No Trace:
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
Tipping
Guides are permitted to accept and greatly appreciate tips. Your guide team is composed of three guides. They will pool all tips received. An average tip for the full guide team is $150-200.
Please be aware that we are unable to process tips by card. You are welcome to tip your guides with cash or via mobile payment such as Venmo or PayPal.
