Mt Olympus by Moon Light and Sunrise!

This post should have been made months ago... but life does get in the way of the really important things!

Earlier in the summer, Kevin had mentioned climbing Mt Olympus.  Then on a random Sunday evening over at the Ashton's the idea was floated to hike Mt Olympus at night to see the sunrise.  These comments began to swirl around in my mind until the idea was formed.   Around the beginning of September I began looking at the environmental conditions for the weeks coming up.  It was a great exercise doing the type of work I did as the 10th Engineer Battalion Intelligence Officer (BN S-2).  I was looking at the weather conditions and the amount of night illumination.  To my excitement, on 12 September the conditions were perfect.  The sky was clear and about 50 degrees F.  The moon rise was at 1824 hrs and would set at 0512 the next day.  Before Morning Nautical Twilight (BMNT)  on 13 Sep was at 0639 and sunrise was at 0707 hrs.  It couldn't have been any better for a night ascent, the only issue left was to find some companions; enter Karen and Wendy.  Without even a second thought they both jumped at the chance to complete what might be for most people a once in a life time opportunity.  

The trip began shortly after midnight.  The plan was to take it easy up the mountain and allow for at least four hours of travel time that would put us at the summit before sunrise.  

Departing Shot

The night was cool but enjoyable as we began the ascent.  We talked a bit about politics and other random events.  Sarah Palin had just been announced as the Republican VP candidate and of course the 2008 election offered lots to talk about.  Occasionally we stopped to enjoy the view of the Salt Lake Valley.  Kevin, (had some lame excuse for not coming) called us about an hour into the hike to tell us he was going to sleep.  So we did the only acceptable thing possible, we called him almost every half hour there after.  (The AT&T 3G network worked perfectly)  The following are some pictures along the way.

Quarter the Way Up

Lights in the Valley

Me and the valley

A little cooler at half way up!

The most beautiful views could not be captured on film.  The soft glow of the moon light against the mountain was amazing.  It was worth the effort to have those memories.  There is a well established trail that leads from the parking lot to the summit.  The trail is 3.2 miles long one way, with an elevation gain of 4,200 feet, that works out to an average slope of 25%.  However, there are long stretches at the bottom of the trail that are flat and then the last leg of the train is bouldering straight up!  What is also interesting about the climb is the different types of vegetation you pass though as you ascent.  We made the entire ascent without any lights and  once we made it to the summit we were so excited.

Flag at the summit

Karen's happy with dry socks!

Wendy is excited to make it to the top!

My lovely wife thought we were crazy but wanted to take care of us so she sent us up with PBJs and a Hersey Bar for each of us.  When we made it to the summit we took the time to enjoy the view, put some extra clothes on and change our socks.  Then we grabbed a quick bite and looked for a comfortable place to rest.  The summit is made up of boulders so there is really no where flat to stretch out.  Since we had about an hour and a half we wanted to rest and wait for the sunrise.  To stay warm we found a little depression to hide in and huddle together.  As we sat there I felt something run across my leg.  I knew exactly what it was but I held still and didn't say anything.  (Not being sexist, but I didn't want to alarm the "girls" so I didn't say anything)   A couple minutes later I felt it again.  Still not wanting to startle the ladies, I just simply asked, "Hey Karen, Wendy where is your food?"  They both had their's inside their jackets!  Then a third time I felt the little feet run across my leg and this time I saw the little guy.  I thought it was a mouse.  The funny side of this story is that once the sun was up and we were moving I mentioned it and we all laughed but in iorder to make Karen feel better we decided it was a chipmunk.  (I guess Chip and Dale are less scary than Jerry)

The first light of the morning began to break over the horizon and it was a gorgeous view.   What made the views of the summit so unique was that the light changed so dramatically between the moon light to the sun light.  We took lots of pictures and prepared to head back down after the sun rose into the valley.   

First rays of light on the horizon

Happy to see the sunlight and feel it warming up!

First light over the mountain behind us

Sunrise breaks on to Mount Olympus

View at sunrise looking at south Salt Lake Valley

On the way down Wendy and I did all we could to keep up with Karen as she ran down the mountain.  It was also funny to pass people that were headed up.  They would look at us and ask, "When did you start this morning to be coming back down already?"  When we told them we headed up at midnight they were just surprised.  We passed lots of groups and a few couples out on dates, (Karen and Wendy - "why do guys think a hike up a mountain is a good date", John - "If a lady can hike up a mountain without complaining and then look hot going out to dinner that night, she's a keeper")  All the sights that we enjoyed by moon light on the way up were completely different under sunlight.  It was two different hikes over the same trail.   We all agreed it was a great hike and we were glad we made it!

We made it full circle looking pretty good!

Thanks again Karen and Wendy for making the hike with me!  I love that any where I am in the valley, I can look up at Mount Olympus and say, "I have climbed that mountain!"  Next year before we move from Utah I have convinced Emily that she wants to make the climb, haven't decided if it will be by moon light or sun light!