What we’re about
SOA hikes everywhere from cities to mountains to deserts. We go backpacking, biking, and climbing; ski and snowshoe, kayak, sail and swim, and in many other ways celebrate nature and the great outdoors.
While exploring the Pacific Northwest is thrilling and restorative, we care about our delicate environments and promote Leave-No-Trace principles and good trail etiquette.
To better protect ourselves from injuries and other life-threatening conditions, all members should take safety and preparedness seriously, carry the Ten Essentials, and be self reliant.
Check our calendar and join us on an upcoming adventure. We're eager to welcome new friends and hope to meet you in person soon.
Your Organizer, Michael Songbird
DISCLAIMER: All activities hosted by Seattle Outdoor Adventurers (SOA) involve risk. Becoming an SOA member and/or participating in events offered by our Meetup group, you agree to release, hold harmless, and indemnify SOA, its members, and its organizers from any and all liability. You alone are responsible for your safety, comfort, and health.
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SOA Event Attendance Disclaimer
S.O.A. is not a professional guide service. SOA meetup organizers function, as facilitators only, to enhance the collective group outdoor experience. By participating in any SOA event you agree to release, hold harmless, and indemnify SOA, its members, and its organizers from any and all liability in the event of injury or loss. Reports of trail and weather conditions are available to all (internet) and subject to change. You are responsible for your own safety and the overall safety and wellbeing of the group. We respect the environment we adventure in. We collectively know that hiking involves risks and that weather changes quickly in the mountains. We know the more prepared we individually are, the better the chance we will remain safe as a group. We leave no trace.
[signing up for any S.O.A. organized event indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms of this disclaimer and hold harmless all S.O.A. Organizers and Event Hosts in the event of injury or loss].
Additional information about our group, Member responsibilities, and clarification of the role of Organizer:
Seattle Outdoor Adventurers (SOA) activities may involve certain dangers including but not limited to: hazards of travel in rugged terrain, physical stress, mental stress, inclement weather, and intended and unintended actions of other Members and Organizers.
Participating Members agree to the following statements:
- I am physically capable of safely participating in SOA events that I join.
- I am equipped with the appropriate gear and clothing for SOA events that I join. If not, I have pre-arranged required gear with the Organizer.
- I hold responsibility for my own safety while participating in SOA events which I join.
- I assume all risks while participating in SOA events that I join.
- SOA is not a guide service.
- SOA Organizers are not guides.
- Per Meetup.com's Terms of Service Agreement, SOA organizers are released from all forms of liability related to SOA events.
- I am 18-years-old or older. Note: Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Tips on preparing for a safe outing:
Before venturing into our state's amazing backcountry check the Weather Forecast. During winter, spring, and early summer, check the Avalanche Forecast.
If you're new to Washington state, be advised that Search and Rescue teams are busy year-round assisting lost, injured, and/or ill-equipped backcountry recreationists. You can increase your chances of a safe outing by equipping yourself with (and knowing how to use) the Ten Essentials. The Mountaineers offer an excellent low-cost hands-on navigation training course which teaches backcountry map and compass use.
Your feedback is important and welcomed!
If you have any questions or comments about our group you're welcome to email the main organizer or post your question or comment on our group's Message Board. It is our Members and Organizers who make this group a great one so thank you for making it one of Seattle's best!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Ptarmigan Traverse + Dome Peak 4-5 days (strong, skilled team)Ash Way Park and Ride, Lynnwood, WA
Above photo courtesy of Summitpost
The Ptarmigan Traverse is one of the classic alpine routes in North America. The 35+ mile route passes through some of the most scenic areas in the Cascades running from Cascade Pass to Bachelor and Downey Creek. It will test your skills for alpine climbing, backpacking, and scrambling. The route passes several iconic mountains including, Mt Formidable, Sentinel Mountain, and Dome Peak. I plan to do the route in 4-5 days and also climb Dome Peak. The side trip to Dome would add about 5-10 miles to the route making it a 40+ mile trek.
This one-way traverse traverse also involves a car shuttle. We will need at least 2 vehicles, one parked at each trailhead to make this trip work.
In order to be on this trip, you should have good snow and glacier travel skills. You should know how to rock climb and scramble as well as hike and backpack.I'm looking for a couple other partners with the skills and gear necessary to to do this traverse. We will be moving at a moderate pace of 2+ miles per hour on varying terrain, both up and downhill. YOU WILL BE INITIALLY WAITLISTED WHEN YOU RSVP. I WILL SELECT THOSE THAT I FIND TO BE MOST SUITABLE TO JOIN ON THIS TRIP.
Resources:
Trip Report: https://trailcatjim.com/ptarmigan-traverse-dome-peak-2021/
Dome Peak: https://www.summitpost.org/dome-peak/150357
GPS Links: https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7022077/ptarmigan-traverse
Courtesy of my friend Andrew: https://peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=2254831Rough Schedule (subject to change):
Wednesday: Arrange car shuttles, camp at trailhead along Cascade River Rd.
Thursday: Hike in Camp at Yang Yang lakes
Friday: Hike to White Rock Lakes, climb Lizard or Old Guard peaks along the way
Saturday: Climb Dome Peak, camp at Cub Lake or Istwoot Ridge
Sunday: Hike out, and drive to Cascade River road to get other vehicle, and drive home.What to bring:
Pack, warm clothing layers (expect rain, snow, and wind), hiking or mountaineering boots, crampons and helmet, hiking poles, ice ax, (climbing harness, ATC Belay device, carabiners, and prussiks for the Dome Peak), navigation: map, compass, and GPS if you have it, emergency bivy, food and water for the day (2-3 liters minimum), sun protection, headlamp, sit pad, 10 essentials not already mentioned, and overnight camping gear. Ursacks, bear canisters, or secure food storage. Drivers should have directions and NW forest pass or equivalent. Bring money for the permit costs as well. Preference will be given to drivers that can take both passengers and bicycles.
Everyone bring good cheer!From google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tgBiEprTo8FCo1y9A
- Friday Eve Bike & Beer: Chill Route or Hill RouteTibbetts Valley Park, Issaquah, WA
4:30pm Bike: Tibbetts Valley Park
7:00pm Beer: Issaquah Formula BrewingFormula Brewing vehicle parking is very limited. For that reason, while the group gathers at Formula Brewing beginning at 7pm, cars will remain parked at Tibbetts Valley Park.
Hill Route (led by βrian)
Starts at Tibbetts Valley Park. Join the East Lake Sammamish Trail leading to Marymoor Park. Continue south from Marymoor Park on West Lake Sammamish Parkway and, optionally, gather at Formula Brewing.RideWithGPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50400796
Distance: 26 miles round-trip
Elevation gain: 900 feet
Pace: 15 mph on flat terrain with no wind
Duration: ~2 hoursChill Route (Self-led)
Starts at Tibbetts Valley Park. Join the East Lake Sammamish Trail leading to Marymoor Park. Return south from Marymoor Park on East Lake Sammamish Trail and, optionally, gather at Formula Brewing.RideWithGPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51376939
Distance: 26 miles round-trip
Elevation gain: 400 feet
Pace: self-paced
Duration: self-paced - Classic Alpine Rock Climb: The ToothAsh Way Park & Ride, Lynnwood, WA
Let's go climb a Washington classic: The Tooth in Snoqualmie Pass!
The Tooth is a great beginner alpine rock climb and one of the oldest and classic rock climbs in Washington history. We will aim to go up South Face which is a trad 5.4 climb with four pitches and a class 4 scramble. South Face climb follows juggy features, ledges and flakes up the relatively narrow south face of the Tooth, accessed from Pineapple Pass. At the summit, you will be rewarded with an excellent panorama of the Stuart Range, nearby peaks like Snoqualmie and Chair, and Mount Rainier to the south.
The approach will take about 3 hours or so at a moderate pace. Trailhead is at 3100′, leave trail at ~4100′ and follow climber's trail, rope up at 5280′, summit at 5604′. It's a very popular climb so it will be crowded given it is July 4th. Depending on the bottleneck conditions and group's comfort, I may switch to The Tooth Fairy route which is a sports 5.9 with six pitches with scrambling for P7. But, we will try our very best to stay the course. I will have my standard trad rack, alpine draws, sports quick draws, webbing, and 70m rope.
https://www.mountainproject.com/route/106378880/south-face
https://www.mountainproject.com/route/119074107/the-tooth-fairy- Length: 5.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft
- High Point: 5,600 ft
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
Itinerary
- 6:00AM Meet at Ash Way P&R for carpool and divvy up group gear
- 7:15AM Arrive at Snow Lake Trailhead
- 7:30AM Start approach
- 11:00AM Get ready to climb at Pineapple Pass
- 4:00PM Hike back to cars (this will vary on group's strength)
- 6:30/7:00PM Drive back to Seattle just in time for fireworks
Items to bring
- Ten Essentials
- Bring your typical hiking gear and poles if needed
- Microspikes (we should not need them but just in case)
- Water (2L+)
- Snacks/Lunch
- Harness w/ PAS
- ATC/Grigri/Pilot (we will need ATC to rappel)
- 6 locking carabiners
- Helmet
- Hollowblock
- 2 Runner sling
- Rock shoes
Pre-requisites:
If there's enough interest and we have a team of four, I will need a confident climber who has led or is willing to lead pinkpoint on the trad route. If there's not enough interest, I will re-schedule for another weekend.- Know how to lead belay
- Know how to soft catch lead falls
- Know how to belay follower from top (if you do not, do not worry, I will teach you)
- Know how to rappel
- Stoked to do a multi-pitch climb and comfortable lead belaying from a tight space
- Confident to climb 5.9s on Tooth Fairy, if need be
If you'd like to join, please message me with your climbing experience and/or Mountain Project profile. I am more than happy to get out sometime after work this week to help refresh some of the skills we will need at the exits.
