Teton Dreams: Photo Trip Report July 2008
Wyoming, United States, North America

Teton Dreams: Photo Trip Report July 2008

Page Type Page Type: Trip Report
Date Date Climbed/Hiked: Jul 24, 2008
Activities Activities: Mountaineering
Seasons Season: Summer

Introduction

Who hasn't dreamed of climbing in the Teton Range? The adventure, the terrain and the history. For years I've wanted to begin exploring the Tetons, but work and responsibilities kept pushing me away from my goal. Out of frustration, I simply threw out a random set of dates and proclaimed that this week I was going to the Tetons. Initially it was for 7 days, then 5, and then 3; but I did it! Three uninterrupted days in the Tetons with a great climbing partner and superb weather. Let the fun begin!

Climbers:
Glenn
Me

Day 1 - Drive to Tetons and hike to Moraine Campsite below the Grand Teton.
Day 2 - Climb the Upper Exum route then descend the mountain.
Day 3 - Climb Ice Point and drive home.

Click here for the Full Trip Report on my photography website.


Grand Teton Photo Trip Report

Grand Teton
What a sight! The famous view driving into Teton National Park.

Grand Teton
Another view of Teewinot, Grand Teton and Mount Owen from the ascent of Ice Point.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Hiking up Garnet Canyon with the Middle Teton in view.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
The Meadows campsite in Garnet Canyon.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Hiking above the Meadows to the Moraine campsite.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Camp at the Moraine. We climbed without a tent, knowing we could jump under some overhanging boulders if the weather changed. Going to sleep, the sky was clear and the stars were magical, but at 2:00 a.m. a storm hit. I threw my stuff under an overhanging rock and slept, Glenn threw a painter's plastic sheet over him and slept through it.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Sunrise at the Lower Saddle. We waited out another brief storm at the saddle and then began climbing.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Approaching Wall Street (the ramp in the cliff ahead).

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
The famous Exum Leap to the Golden Staircase.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
A quick rest after some fun, but short, climbing on the Golden Staircase.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Nearing the top of the Wind Tunnel. This pitch lived up to its name. It was freezing cold in here with strong, numbing wind.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Climbing between the Wind Tunnel and Friction Pitch.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Another view from the base of the Friction Pitch.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
There was one hard-to-protect move at the bottom of the Friction Pitch, after that, it was smooth sailing.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Above the Friction Pitch, looking at the remainder of the climb. The V pitch is visible at the top.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
The awesome environment of the V Pitch.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Above the V Pitch there were some snow gullies to cross.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
The summit ridge.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
On top.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
We only saw one other group on the Upper Exum, nevertheless, there was still a short wait at the rappel.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Looking down the large rappel.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Another look at the rappel from the bottom.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Descending the Owen-Spalding route back to the Lower Saddle.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
Back at the Lower Saddle, looking up at the beast.

Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
We slept away the afternoon at the Moraine camp. I woke up briefly when a marmot was 4 feet from my head, trying to bust open my beef jerky. We slept some more, then hiked down once the sun disappeared. The shadow of the mountain in the valley below.

Ice Point Photo Trip Report

Ice Point, Teton Range
Ice Point is the narrow summit in the middle.

Ice Point, Teton Range
Climbing the snow couloir to the col between Ice Point and Symmetry Spire.

Ice Point, Teton Range
The last section of the Northwest Ridge on Ice Point.

Ice Point, Teton Range
On top, with Teewinot and Mount Owen in the background.

Ice Point, Teton Range
Symmetry Spire from the summit.

Ice Point, Teton Range
Nothing quite like some pure, mountain water after the climb.

Conclusion

Although this was a short trip to the Tetons, it has fueled my need for an annual pilgrimage every summer. Initially my wife was resistant to the idea, so we struck a deal: She gets four days to do whatever women like to do in spas, shops, and restaurants while I get four uninterrupted days in the mountains. She's all smiles...see ya next year.

Images

View Teton Dreams: Photo Trip Report July 2008 Image Gallery - 1 Images

Comments

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Viewing: 1-13 of 13
Arthur Digbee

Arthur Digbee - Jul 30, 2008 6:56 pm - Voted 10/10

looks great

Congrats, and thanks for sharing the photos!

marauders - Jul 31, 2008 1:28 am - Hasn't voted

Re: !

Much appreciated! Too bad you couldn't join. But now there will be an annual pilgrimage. Next year, Mt. Moran or Owen with a small peak on the side.

ZeeJay

ZeeJay - Aug 1, 2008 1:42 am - Voted 10/10

whatever women like to do

Nice pictures, LOL at "She gets four days to do whatever women like to do ..."

Charles

Charles - Aug 3, 2008 11:48 am - Hasn't voted

Great stuff

That was very informative - looked great!
Thanks
Charles

Travis Atwood

Travis Atwood - Aug 3, 2008 12:29 pm - Voted 10/10

Nice Work

Congrats on a successful trip you guys and beautiful pics as usual Matt.

Woodie Hopper

Woodie Hopper - Aug 3, 2008 10:02 pm - Voted 10/10

When Mama's not happy...

Thanks for the great trip report and photos. Keep that wife happy and you'll be just fine! ;)

Woodie

FlatheadNative

FlatheadNative - Aug 3, 2008 11:20 pm - Voted 10/10

Enjoyed

the photos and the text. Thanks for sharing your trip to the Tetons.

Scott Wesemann

Scott Wesemann - Aug 4, 2008 2:19 am - Voted 10/10

Great pics

What was I thinking?? Wish I didn't have to bail on that one. Great report and as always fantastic pics.

tmcrane

tmcrane - Aug 4, 2008 2:29 pm - Voted 10/10

Inspiring views

Thanks for the excellent photo trip report!

myles

myles - Aug 5, 2008 1:52 pm - Voted 10/10

Thanks for the report

Great photos, especially liked the lead in to the v-pitch. Gotta get there one day.

donhaller3

donhaller3 - Aug 5, 2008 2:23 pm - Voted 10/10

Beautiful!

"Initially it was for 7 days, then 5, and then 3..." Gee, the story of my life.

marauders - Aug 6, 2008 12:45 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Beautiful!

Ask or plan for twice as much as you really want, cuz you know it'll get cut in half. Next year I'm planning two weeks. :-)

Eric Sandbo

Eric Sandbo - Aug 8, 2008 1:02 pm - Voted 10/10

Beautiful

Congratulations on the trip and thanks for sharing the report. The pics are consistently beautiful.

Viewing: 1-13 of 13

Table of Contents
Geography
Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.

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