I know what its like falling down a mountain and being sure you're about to die. I hope you are recovering psychologically and are or will be getting back out there soon.
I loved the TR. Crazy story...man, you're very lucky. Some of those photos you got from the upper reaches of Teewinot are awesome. Hopefully you'll be back next year.
wow, good job on the painful hike out too. I remember being really paranoid about Teewinot too. I was alone. I think I took rock shoes with the idea that I could use them to climb down something scary. You ever think of moving out west?
Glad you made it down with only a relatively minor injury. Sounds like it could have been a lot worse. The East Face route is the site of many mishaps. It took me four attempts to finally summit.
that in the future you will at least carry an ACE bandage and/or Vet Wrap, waterproof-flexible tape, and a SAM splint. All these are far too light to be left behind on anything more challenging than a well-maintained park trail. Glad you made it out OK, learn from your mistakes.
Glad you made it down safely. Teewinot has claimed many victims, and many rescues up there. You are very lucky to make it down on your own power. A good friend of mine is a Jenny Lake ranger, and he has spent too much time on the east face. It makes you feel real small being in the middle of that big steep unforgiving face. I don't like when there are people above me there, it's like a bowling alley of falling rocks. A good posting, I am sure you will be back in the future on a day without the dark clouds.
iamaclimber - Aug 11, 2008 11:06 am - Hasn't voted
Scary Storms
I know what you mean about the black clouds in the Tetons. On my first attempt of the Grand a storm blew in with rain, sleet, hail and finally snow. There was ice on everything. There were five of us and we knew turning around was the only sain decision. The next day we learned that there were two climbing parties above us that had to be rescued by the rangers taking them ice axes and crampons. The ice stayed for three days. I hope to try again in the future. Great story
i descended teewinot during an afternoon storm, not fun. i know the exact spot you got lost off the "regular" route. not too hard to do, esp. if you are amped up on adrenalin.
I did the same exact trip that you planned 5 years ago. 2 years previous to that I had my own freak out on Teewinot. My buddy and I started the technical part and some yokels who had absolutely no business being anywhere near the Tetons dislodged a HUGE piece of talus, that exploded on impact 10' from my friend. I tucked as close in as I could to the slab I was climbing up, and hoped for the best. After that and when we discovered we were ok, we split. We sat at the top of the Apex while we watched a dozen people flail around in a super dangerous place. It took one guy an hour to get up the courage to down climb from where he was. I seriously thought someone was going to die. 2 years later I had a wonderful climb up Teewinot and The Grand. My advise on Teewinot is to stay out of the gullies. Stick to the slabs. Much cleaner and safe.
You can sense the emotion involved that day on the mountain. I remeber the first TR I read online about the Tetons involved a climber taking a long fall down the snowfield. Glad to hear you made it back alive.
Nice TR....very well written - to the point, no beatin' around the bush.
Glad that you made it back. Wish you a speedy recovery, and good luck for whenever you attempt the mountain next.
...for the replies and well-wishes. I'm glad this TR was helpful, or at least entertaining. It has been 4 weeks since the fall, and today I finally put a normal shoe on and walked about 1/2 a mile, virtually pain-free. I'm still going to take it easy for a few more weeks (no hiking or climbing for a while still) but it looks like I'll get away with no major problems. Can't wait to get back out there.
Super thread! My climbing partner and I climbed Teewinot on Aug. 8, just few weeks after you. We took the same approach to the snow field, shoes and axes. I felt like I was standing on giant DQ slushie, pretty intense with the aspect. I still have the view of the boulders at the bottom of the snow chute imprinted in my mind. Great call turning around due to weather, the Teetons are giant lightning rods. I hope you have fully recovered by now, best wishes getting back out.
TJ311 - Aug 5, 2008 3:27 pm - Voted 10/10
Wow......I'd say you're very lucky. From the pictures, it looked incredibly steep. Glad to hear that nothing was broken. Hope you heal up quickly.
SarahThompson - Aug 5, 2008 9:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Glad you're OK!I know what its like falling down a mountain and being sure you're about to die. I hope you are recovering psychologically and are or will be getting back out there soon.
marauders - Aug 6, 2008 1:15 am - Voted 10/10
Love it.I loved the TR. Crazy story...man, you're very lucky. Some of those photos you got from the upper reaches of Teewinot are awesome. Hopefully you'll be back next year.
mvs - Aug 10, 2008 7:50 am - Voted 10/10
good storywow, good job on the painful hike out too. I remember being really paranoid about Teewinot too. I was alone. I think I took rock shoes with the idea that I could use them to climb down something scary. You ever think of moving out west?
Sam Page - Aug 10, 2008 9:28 am - Hasn't voted
Teewinot? That's why!Glad you made it down with only a relatively minor injury. Sounds like it could have been a lot worse. The East Face route is the site of many mishaps. It took me four attempts to finally summit.
BobSmith - Aug 10, 2008 11:09 am - Voted 10/10
Great post.I'm glad you got down okay.
Judd97 - Aug 10, 2008 5:20 pm - Voted 10/10
Glad You're OkGlad to hear you're ok. I'm thinking about attempting Teewinot in th next couple weeks or so and this story may have set me back a few more!
96avs01 - Aug 10, 2008 9:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Hopethat in the future you will at least carry an ACE bandage and/or Vet Wrap, waterproof-flexible tape, and a SAM splint. All these are far too light to be left behind on anything more challenging than a well-maintained park trail. Glad you made it out OK, learn from your mistakes.
wyopeakMike - Aug 10, 2008 10:40 pm - Voted 10/10
Lucky escapeGlad you made it down safely. Teewinot has claimed many victims, and many rescues up there. You are very lucky to make it down on your own power. A good friend of mine is a Jenny Lake ranger, and he has spent too much time on the east face. It makes you feel real small being in the middle of that big steep unforgiving face. I don't like when there are people above me there, it's like a bowling alley of falling rocks. A good posting, I am sure you will be back in the future on a day without the dark clouds.
iamaclimber - Aug 11, 2008 11:06 am - Hasn't voted
Scary StormsI know what you mean about the black clouds in the Tetons. On my first attempt of the Grand a storm blew in with rain, sleet, hail and finally snow. There was ice on everything. There were five of us and we knew turning around was the only sain decision. The next day we learned that there were two climbing parties above us that had to be rescued by the rangers taking them ice axes and crampons. The ice stayed for three days. I hope to try again in the future. Great story
cp0915 - Aug 13, 2008 1:46 pm - Voted 10/10
Great TRI enjoyed it much. Especially your honesty.
trad brad - Aug 14, 2008 10:43 am - Hasn't voted
been therei descended teewinot during an afternoon storm, not fun. i know the exact spot you got lost off the "regular" route. not too hard to do, esp. if you are amped up on adrenalin.
jlatour - Aug 14, 2008 8:08 pm - Hasn't voted
I seen it...I did the same exact trip that you planned 5 years ago. 2 years previous to that I had my own freak out on Teewinot. My buddy and I started the technical part and some yokels who had absolutely no business being anywhere near the Tetons dislodged a HUGE piece of talus, that exploded on impact 10' from my friend. I tucked as close in as I could to the slab I was climbing up, and hoped for the best. After that and when we discovered we were ok, we split. We sat at the top of the Apex while we watched a dozen people flail around in a super dangerous place. It took one guy an hour to get up the courage to down climb from where he was. I seriously thought someone was going to die. 2 years later I had a wonderful climb up Teewinot and The Grand. My advise on Teewinot is to stay out of the gullies. Stick to the slabs. Much cleaner and safe.
James_W - Aug 15, 2008 12:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Well WrittenYou can sense the emotion involved that day on the mountain. I remeber the first TR I read online about the Tetons involved a climber taking a long fall down the snowfield. Glad to hear you made it back alive.
lingana - Aug 15, 2008 5:32 pm - Voted 9/10
Lucky (but determined) youNice TR....very well written - to the point, no beatin' around the bush.
Glad that you made it back. Wish you a speedy recovery, and good luck for whenever you attempt the mountain next.
Later,
S.
TomSellick - Aug 18, 2008 12:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Thanks.......for the replies and well-wishes. I'm glad this TR was helpful, or at least entertaining. It has been 4 weeks since the fall, and today I finally put a normal shoe on and walked about 1/2 a mile, virtually pain-free. I'm still going to take it easy for a few more weeks (no hiking or climbing for a while still) but it looks like I'll get away with no major problems. Can't wait to get back out there.
mt2ut1 - Oct 12, 2008 1:59 pm - Voted 9/10
Great Post!Super thread! My climbing partner and I climbed Teewinot on Aug. 8, just few weeks after you. We took the same approach to the snow field, shoes and axes. I felt like I was standing on giant DQ slushie, pretty intense with the aspect. I still have the view of the boulders at the bottom of the snow chute imprinted in my mind. Great call turning around due to weather, the Teetons are giant lightning rods. I hope you have fully recovered by now, best wishes getting back out.