Lasting Adventures in Olympic

Are you looking for a backpacking adventure in one of the most ecologically diverse national parks in the country?

With some of the world’s last remaining intact temperate rainforests, gorgeous coastline and spectacular alpine scenery, Olympic National Park is a hidden gem of the park system. And there’s no better way to experience it than by foot with Lasting Adventures’ experienced guides.

With Lasting Adventures, you can choose a three to five-day backpacking adventure in the Hoh Rainforest, the Seven Lakes Basin, the Ozette Coast or the Point of Arches, or you can customize your own itinerary. Read more at lastingadventures.com/national-park-guide-service/olympic-national-park-backpacking/.

Founded in 1997, Lasting Adventures is the largest, top-rated guide service in Yosemite National Park. It expanded into Olympic National Park trips in 2020, and its professional guides—some of whom have worked as park rangers—know the parks inside out.

“After growing to be the largest backcountry user in Yosemite, we knew we would like to benefit youth and clients in another area of the country,” says Scott Gehrman, founder and executive director of Lasting Adventures. “We decided to stay along the West Coast, and Olympic National Park was unique for being able to offer multi-day backpacking trips and for its proximity to Seattle, Portland and Vancouver.”

While exploring Olympic with Lasting Adventures, you’ll hike through stunning scenery and a range of ecosystems. Take, for instance, the Hoh Rainforest and Blue Glacier five-day trip where you’ll walk through a temperate rainforest, past pristine alpine lakes and take in breathtaking views of Mt. Olympus and Blue Glacier. Along the way, you’ll enjoy great backcountry meals, group camaraderie and opportunities to improve your survival skills.

Lasting Adventures also offers youth and teen camps, which means while you’re backpacking, your kids can be at camp in the same park. There are 6-day adventure summer camps for Young Adventurers ages 11 to 13, and for High Country Adventurers ages 13 to 18. All but one rest day is spent backpacking, with lots of breaks to take in the scenery and relax.

Youth programming is a core part of the organization. The camps focus on environmental education, wilderness skills, Leave No Trace practices and team-building. Along the way, kids will be challenged with supportive activities and fun experiences that boost their self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth.

“Olympic National Park is unique in that it sprawls over several different ecosystems ranging from the coastal [mountain] range to the higher alpine ranges along with rainforests and old growth forests,” Gehrman says. “Despite its amazingly unique and historic wilderness, it’s also among the least-utilized national parks, and we would like to help increase tourism to this spectacular national park treasure.”

For more information:
800-513-8651
lastingadventures.com