Good Day Trips in the Olympics?

[TimL]

Looks like I might be base camping in Olympia for a month or so this coming summer and I'm looking for things to do between trips. With the Olympics so close, I was wondering what are the best day climbs close to Olympia. Out of all the years I've climbed in Washington, I've never once climbed in the Olympics so I imagine that I've missed some good stuff. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Edited June 5, 2009 by TimL

[RJRiha]

What kind of climbing are you looking to do?

 

You are right about missing out on some great stuff in the Olys. I wouldn't recommend the rock because it is hard to protect and pretty chossy (with a few exceptions such as the north side of the final summit pitch of Olympus).

 

I'd recommend (for snow climbing):

Olympus (definitely not a day trip unless you are hardcore)

Deception (again, probably not a day trip)

Constance (again, not day trip)

Mt. Washington

Ellinor is always fun to run up

Pershing if you like a little shwacking

Jefferson has the best ridge from summit to summit that I've ever been on

Angeles

The list goes on.....

 

Get the climbers guide to the Olys, and you'll have more stuff than you could do in a lifetime....

 

[chimbo]

The Brothers are nice on the eastern side and there is a rock route on Washington that is decent.

 

You could do Constance in a day but it would be pretty long. Bring a bike to ride the Dose road that washed out until the trail up to Lake Constance. Gain 3400 ft. in 2 miles to reach the lake and then do the climb from there. This would be a long day.

 

Besides Olympus I wouldn't recommend much during the summer as the scree is not much fun to negotiate. Spring is the best time to climb in the Olympics in my opinion.

 

Lots of beautiful hiking so you can definitely stay busy.

[Drederek]

Its one hour from Oly to the Big creek campground by car, from there its 6 mi and 5k el to the top of Mt Ellinor. A nice training hike on trail when the weathers not so nice. Mt Stone is a bit harder and has some scrambling at the top but is mostly trail too. The east ridge of Washington is one not to miss, mostly scrambling up the ridge with some 4th class bits. If you get up in good time you can continue across the wa-el traverse for another 2-3 hours of ridge running. I'd recommend doing the standard route up washington first so you'll know the way down if you're strapped for time. The Bros are mostly trail with a bit of 'schwacking', a good day if you're feeling strong do the traverse. Constance is doable as well and has a great scree slog to test your mettle. The hike up after you park your bike is steep. I'm looking at Warrior but it may be a bit too far for me in a day. I haven't climbed much else that doesn't involve lots of 'schwacking'. If you go for that kind of stuff the possibilities are endless but figure on making well under a mile an hour progress thru it. If theres trees you can find a way up it!