Sunday, September 5, 2010

It has been a great week here in Jackson, WY. The weather has been back and forth between rain, hail, thunderstorms, hot and sunny. Even with the weather card being a wild one, there still has been plenty of opportunities to go climbing.
There are many appealing areas in the greater Jackson area to climb no matter the weather conditions.
The first part of the week we were able to climb some excellent limestone at The Cave, Blacktail Butte, Rodeo Wall and The Shield.


Sunrise just East of Jackson in Idaho.

Blacktail Butte Limestone.

Joel following Stinker. A "classic" overhanging limestone 5.12c along the Hoback River.

James Burwick belaying Joel on Stinker.


On Thursday afternoon, Joel and myself hiked into the lower saddle between the Grand and Middle Teton in gorgeous 70+ degree weather and little to no wind. We woke up at 4:15 Am to temps in the mid 30's and clear skies. After some coffee and a quick breakfast we were moving by 5:30. After a short hike up the scree field we adorned our crampons and started climbing/traversing around to the West Face of the Enclosure.
Throughout the climb we found a variety of terrain from crack climbing to alpine ice and every kind of snow condition.
We topped out at 1:00 Pm to find some much appreciated sun.

Teewinot from Lupine Meadows.

Garnet Canyon on the approach to the lower saddle.
The Middle Teton at the back of the canyon.

Beautiful sunset looking to the West into Idaho from the lower saddle.

Same sunset from the lower saddle, looking East this time.

Excellent pitch of rock on our traverse.

Shadow of the Tetons over the foothills to the West.

Looking up the West face of the Enclosure.
Our route went through the notch just right of center.

Joel leading the final moves to the top. This was a very awkward squeeze chimney.

Looking at the South ridge of the Grand Teton from the top of our route.





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