CLIMBER'S GUIDE TO THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS, 3RD EDITION

ISBN: 0-89886-154-3

Pages: 260

Written by Olympic Mountain Rescue, experts in mountain safety education

Introductory information includes history of exploration, weather, access, and map suggestions

Includes section on mountain safety and first aid

The heart of Washington's Olympic Peninsula comprises the magnificent Olympic Mountains. Not a range in the usual sense, the Olympics stand alone, isolated from other mountains, a compact cluster of steep peaks surrounded by a belt of densely timbered foothills. While the summits are not necessarily high in comparison with the Cascades or other western ranges, the elevation gains can be considerable: the peaks rise from bases just barely above sea level to heights of nearly 8,000 feet.

Key to exploring these challenging peaks is this classic climber's guide to the Olympics. Here are detailed route descriptions for the hard basalt lava peaks of Constance and The Brothers, the high-angle faces of The Needles and Sawtooth Ridge, the hard sandstone and vast glaciers of Mt. Olympus, and hundreds of other mountains large and small. The text also provides general information on the mountains and all access routes, plus winter travel information, ski and snowshoe routes, and high alpine traverses.