Mount Olympus is easy to overlook due to its low elevation--at less than 8000 feet, its summit is lower than many towns in Colorado. But by any measure othen than raw elevation, Olympus is one of the most magnificent and dominant summits in the United States. Set in the middle of a remote wilderness, and guarded by long approaches through dense rainforest, the peak features several large glaciers and steep summit pinnacles. By topographic prominence, Olympus ranks tenth in the contiguous U.S., crowning the Olympic Mountains that rise almost directly from sea level. And, it has a strong claim to being the hardest major peak to climb in the U.S. outside Alaska, requiring glacier crossings, steep snow slopes, and rock climbing on a rotten spire to gain its elusive summit. |