2. Travel

Climbing the Grand Teton

An unforgettable adventure in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
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Dave and Rob Fernley.
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Dave and Rob Fernley.

Grand TetonJackson Holeclimbinghikingwest

  • Rob and Lou, ready for the climb. (Photo: Ellen Fernley)
  • The group of seven climbers: Kyle Fernley, Pete Simone, Ben Freeman, Rob Fernley, Lou Borie, Elise Fernley, David Fernley. (Photo: Randy Fernley)
  • At the Lupine Meadows Trailhead. Elevation: 6,700 feet above sea level. Our destination for the day: the Lower Saddle between Middle Teton and Grand Teton, seven miles away, elevation 11,600 asl. (Photo: Ellen Fernley)
  • Wildflowers were still blooming beside the trail as we climbed through the spruce-fir forest on the lower part of the mountain.
  • Far below, Bradley Lake, Taggart Lake, and the Jackson Hole valley.
  • The trees thinned out as we approached Garnet Canyon with the Middle Teton in the distance.
  • Dave and Rob Fernley.
  • Our first challenge: two snow bowls to navigate (the second is hidden). In a normal July most of the snow in these bowls has melted.
  • We change into our heavier boots and survey the scene above. (Photo: Dave Fernley)
  • Then Elise leads the way up through the first bowl, one step at a time.
  • Half way up the second bowl the shadows started to lengthen.
  • Finally we reached the objective for the day, the Lower Saddle, a narrow ridge in between the Middle Teton and Grand Teton. Exum maintains a camp here for climbers. It was windy and cool, so the first thing to do was put on warm clothes.
  • The camp at the Lower Saddle consists of two huts -- one for the guides and one for the climbers.
  • The inside of the climbers hut was luxurious -- just enough room for sleeping bags and pads for 15 -- and a stove for heating hot water.
  • The treeline was far below, but patches of moss campion and other wildflowers dotted the landscape at the Lower Saddle.(Photo:Dave Fernley)
  • The privy at the Lower Saddle looks out over the Idaho side of the range -- probably one of the most spectacular views from an outhouse anywhere. (By the way, climbers pack out everything from the Lower Saddle -- everything,) (Photo: Elise Fernley)
  • The trail up the Grand from the Lower Saddle follows the narrow crest of the saddle and then climbs through the crevass between the two jagged peaks.
  • The sun casts the silhouette of the Tetons on the valley below.
  • Untitled photo
  • We ate dinner, packed our day packs for the climb the next day, and tried to get some sleep. Everything not inside the hut or a tent is packed inside the large metal canisters to protect against curious marmots and other animals.
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