Crater Lake circumnavigation
March 7, 2025
The Crater Lake 8x8
In the warmer months, people drive or bike the 33-mile Rim Road around Crater Lake, but winter transforms this route into an entirely different beast. The road disappears under deep snow, navigation becomes complex, and the terrain demands backcountry travel skills, endurance, and serious decision-making.
My objective? Not just a circumnavigation. I’m also attempting the 8×8 Challenge—tagging all eight peaks above 8,000 feet around the lake. That means:
• 35+ miles of ski touring
• 7,000 to 10,000 feet of elevation gain
• Breaking trail solo for 12-15+ hours
• Navigating complex avalanche terrain, cornices, and unpredictable weather.
I do it because it scares me...
I first skied at Crater Lake in 2016, and ever since, I’ve dreamed of completing this traverse solo and in one push. It’s one of those objectives that’s easy to think about and hard to actually do. The conditions need to align, but more than anything, I had to mentally commit.
Skiing solo isn’t about ego—it’s about self-reliance. This route forces you to be in it, to move efficiently, and to push forward no matter what. There’s no one to bounce ideas off and the decision-making process is entirely in your hands.
Standing on the remote east side of the lake, 18 miles in with no way out but through, is the kind of challenge that brings growth, adaptation, and mental toughness. And that’s what this is all about.
Crater Lake Facts
- Formed: ~7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed
- Depth: 1,943 feet (deepest lake in the U.S.)
- Became a National Park: May 22, 1902 (5th in the U.S.)
- Average Winter Snowfall: 43 feet per year
- Highest Point: Mount Scott (8,929 ft)