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- Let's Climb Whitehorse Mountain (Neiderprum Trail)-Experienced & Advanced SkillsAshway P&R (164th St), Lynnwood, WA
Date and time may change based on conditions.
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Answer the questions and join the waitlist to be considered for this event. Please note, I will be VERY selective confirming members based on experience and skills.To be specific:
There is significant ice, snow and rock exposure.
This climb requires endurance and tenacity.
Route finding and navigation skills required.Plan:
Leave PnR by 4:15 at the latest and drive to the TH
Car camp for an alpine start boots on trail at 2am Sat.Hike to the NW Shoulder Neiderprum Trail - mostly in snow
Crampons and snow gear when conditions require it.
At the Glacier, we will assess the route- No roping needed unless conditions require it.
At the steep summit block ice wall, we will assess protecting the route and the need for rope/harness (belay device, prusik and PAS)
Summit and enjoy 30-45 minutes
Descend/rappel back down (belay device, prusik and PAS)
Hike out the same route
Back at the Park & Ride between 7 and 8 pm including a possible stop for a meal.About the Mountain/Hike:
Whitehorse Mountain is a peak near the western edge of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is located just southwest of the Sauk River Valley town of Darrington, near the northern boundary of
Boulder River Wilderness. Whitehorse is notable for its large, steep local relief on the north face rising 6000 feet in under two miles. I just love the name the local native people gave it- So-Bahli-Alhi.- Highest Point- 6840 feet
- Gain- 7250 feet (the first 1.5 miles relatively flat with minimal gain)
- Distance- 10.5 miles RT
- Difficulty- Strenuous
- Map- Green Trails Silverton 110
This is a strenuous early season climb with 7,000+ ft of elevation gain, a glacier crossing, and ending with a short exposed ice/snow scramble This is a long climb, requiring an early start.
The Route:
The trip starts out on Trail #953, the Niederprum trail with several switchbacks for about a mile. It keeps climbing steeply for another mile and gains a total of 4000 feet.
When we come out of the trees and thick shrubs we will travel on snowfields toward Lone Tree Pass.
At the Pass, follow the ridgeline, keeping just below when snow covered, for about a mile to the High Pass aiming for the gully leading up to High Pass. Follow the route across the glacier and up to the summit. The final summit block is a 150+ feet exposed ice/snow or rock climb/scramble depending on conditions and time of year.We climbed this in 2019. Here is link with photos and comments:
https://www.meetup.com/seattleoutdooradventurers/events/246259662/
This one from 2023 climbMost people attempting this climb never make it past 4000 feet. As you will see from the reports on Alltrails and WTA:
Link to trip report on WTA: June 2017
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2017-06-19.7940341555Link to Alltrails + Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/neiderprum-trail-to-whitehorse-mountainPersonal Gear:
- 10 essentials
- Ice ax
- Helmet
- Crampons (front pointing if available) and microspikes
- Harness and tie-in prusik+ Belay device + personal anchor
- Snowshoes- (if we do not need them, we can stash and collect on the way out)
- Hiking poles
- Gaiters
- Semi-stiff mountaineering boots
- Food and water for the day
- Wind, sun, and rain protection
- Bright smile and great attitude
Team Gear:
- Pickets (4)
- Scramble rope (2)
- Snow and/or rock anchors
- Shovel (2-3)
- Wands and tape
Directions to TH:
Drive north on I-5 through Everett. About 11 mi north of Everett turn right (east) onto SR 530 to Arlington. Continue on SR 530 about 23 mi east of Arlington (5 mi west of Darrington) to Shell Station at Mine Road/387 Av. Turn right (south) and in 0.5 miles park at the closed bridge over Moose Creek. Walk the road, turning left at each of the next two forks. Shortly after crossing Furland Creek, the trailhead is marked “Niederprum Camp” (on the right, about 2 mi from the store.NW Forest Pass required at the TH
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