Mt Olympus: The Adventures of Hephaestus and Ares
August 22nd-August 24th, 2008
AKA: The SIlliad...And lo these many years did Hephaestus (Magnum) and Ares (Mesahchie Mark) toil on Earth, not as gods, but as men, their divine powers wrested from them by the treacherous and devious Xena, warrior princess. Confronted with their fragile, ephemeral state, the two gods, but shadows of their former selves, finally decided they must work together to regain their godly status by petitioning Father Zeus in person. To do so, they would have to engage in a perilous journey to climb Mount Olympus, Home of the Gods.
The fallen gods arose early one fine morning (Fri 8/22) and purchased passage across the inland sea with many pieces of silver. From the western shore, they journeyed north and around the great peninsula to arrive at the much-storied River Styx (Hoh River - Olympic National Park). More pieces of silver were exchanged to enter the sacred mountain; they were to witness only two risings of the moon. They could not set one foot forth before Sisyphus (a park ranger) accosted the travelers, warning them that their goal was too lofty, and that though they may gaze upon the summit, they will be ultimately denied access (moat on the summit block). But Hephaestus and Ares had come too far – they could not turn back now. They placed large, bulky bundles on their backs and trundled off to the east, following a path beside the river. An arduous nine hour, 17.5 mile trek (to Glacier Meadows) ensued.
The Adventure Begins!
Hoh River
Big Log
High Hoh Bridge
Elk Lake Emergency Shelter-Not!
'Nuf Said
Trail Washout
The next morning (Sat 8/23), still groggy from the previous day's exertions, the weary pair set out from camp for the ice-clad summit of Mt Olympus. The first obstacle was fording the fractured river of ice (lower Blue Glacier). Next, they gained serious elevation (to Snow Dome) by following the fresh prints of other mortal travelers. The tracks then lead to a gap (Crystal Pass), which opened onto to the broad upper glacier.
Blue Glacier First Sight
Glacier Ford
Crevasses
Icy!
Climbing Snow Dome
Summit in Sight
Bridge to Crystal Pass
Looking Back
Upper Blue
The tracks lead to the foot of a rocky knob (Mid Peak). The two adventurers traversed this article to the north, at which point they could finally view the summit up close. It was a busy day on Mount Olympus - it was literally crawling with human-like forms (two parties - five climbers total).
Mid Peak Approach
Alpine Jungle Gym
Hephaestus and Ares, their goal in sight, found a way onto the summit block despite the moat, and followed a scrambling route southward on the east side. They chose to climb a short section featuring a large, solid flake to gain the summit ridge. Minutes later, they were atop Mt Olympus - Home at last!
Magnum Ready to Rock'n'Roll
The Crux
Side View From Crux
Rainier!
Strait of Juan de Fuca
Baker/Shuksan
Rappel From Summit
The Flake
Magnum Stands Alone
Moat
Heading Back
Good-Bye Olympus
Light and Cloud
Kinda Blue
Blue Glacier Majesty
No one knows what exactly happened after Hephaestus and Ares reached the summit of Olympus. Some say their powers were instantly returned, and that they disappeared into the ether to continue their selfish ends. Others tell a darker, more believable tale, in which Zeus, though duly impressed with their efforts, greeted his sons and agreed to return their immortality, but only once they had left the realm as mortals. Rumor has it that the exit out was a wet, miserable experience featuring endless rainfall and literally miles and miles of mud puddles, while Zeus' mocking, maddening laughter could be heard in the distance roar of a chainsaw...
...And lo these many years did Hephaestus (Magnum) and Ares (Mesahchie Mark) toil on Earth, not as gods, but as men, their divine powers wrested from them by the treacherous and devious Xena, warrior princess.
Ah... those were fun times!
Ares wrote:
No one knows what exactly happened after Hephaestus and Ares reached the summit of Olympus. Some say their powers were instantly returned, and that they disappeared into the ether to continue their selfish ends. Others tell a darker, more believable tale, in which Zeus, though duly impressed with their efforts, greeted his sons and agreed to return their immortality, but only once they had left the realm as mortals. Rumor has it that the exit out was a wet, miserable experience featuring endless rainfall and literally miles and miles of mud puddles, while Zeus' mocking, maddening laughter could be heard in the distance roar of a chainsaw...
Just chatted with Zeus on the phone. 'Twas definitely the latter!
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke
"Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
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"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke
"Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
...And lo these many years did Hephaestus (Magnum) and Ares (Mesahchie Mark) toil on Earth, not as gods, but as men, their divine powers wrested from them by the treacherous and devious Xena, warrior princess.
Ah... those were fun times!
Ack! I thought you might be lurking nearby. There will be time for vengeance!...but not now. I'm still drying my gear out.
-Mark (Ares)
Awesome TR Mark! What a great literary presentation!
Isn't that flake awesome? The scramble on the east side summit block is not necessarily loose, but not solid either. Then you come to that flake to gain the summit and it is solid as can be - a fun move!
Ack! I thought you might be lurking nearby. There will be time for vengeance!...but not now. I'm still drying my gear out.
Silly man! That's what you get for using inferior equipment. My leathers are waterproof and do not need drying out, ever!
Still, your feat of climbing Mt. Olympus is a rather mighty accomplishment, if a bit misguided (mostly because you climbed the wrong Mt. Olympus... might wanna try the one in Greece... ).
You say the Gods climbed Olympus and hiked out to the TH in one day? I say, "The Gods must be Crazy."
Awesome TR guys. The pictures bring back a lot of memories. WOW, thanks!!
.....leaving me wanting to return over and over in what ever capacity that may be, even if one day my knees are too old and I can only see the mountains from my porch.
Jason Hummel
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.....leaving me wanting to return over and over in what ever capacity that may be, even if one day my knees are too old and I can only see the mountains from my porch.
Jason Hummel
Yet, you should do this with them the next time. I know you can!
.....leaving me wanting to return over and over in what ever capacity that may be, even if one day my knees are too old and I can only see the mountains from my porch.
Jason Hummel
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.....leaving me wanting to return over and over in what ever capacity that may be, even if one day my knees are too old and I can only see the mountains from my porch.
Jason Hummel
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No need for pictures. I have the scenes all in my mind now. Excellent TR!! 
-Mark (Ares)
Awesome report.
