D I K E • R O U T E | M I D D L E • T E T O N

My dad came out to visit MK and me in Jackson a couple weeks ago with a very specific climbing objective. The Dike on the Middle Teton has some of the easiest routefinding in the Tetons... just follow the black line. The route is about 2500 feet of mostly 4th and lower 5th class climbing with a few 5.6 crux moves and some mountaineering obstacles to navigate. The Dike Pinnacle requires some exposed downclimbing on loose rock followed by a knife-edge traverse across the col that connects the Ellingwood Couloir and the Middle Teton Glacier. We were lucky to have an amazing 3-day weather window that allowed us to take our time and relax on the route. The old man proved that he can still move very well in the mountains. Enjoy the video!

Jackson Hole: Summer Camp for "Adults"

MK and David climbing at Corbet's Couloir at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Well, it's only been 3 days, but we've already had a fantastic weekend with David's father, Dan, and his friend Bruce.  Leif, David's brother, arrives tomorrow evening.  They arrived Wednesday, which was perfect since it was our first weekend day.  We climbing in the evening at Rodeo Wall, which proved to be quite entertaining.  MK and our friend Lanny were leading up climbs on the wall, when we heard this CRAZY loud booming sound.  We thought rock fall, but turned to the road and saw a pickup truck had hopped the two lanes and slammed into the guardrail, hanging over it, with 30 feet of nothing below dropping into the Snake River.  Lanny acted quickly and called the proper people and we saw this morning that the man driving had been arrested for a DUI.  So that explains that.  

Dan and Bruce double ducky-ing on the Snake River

Most of the gang

Dan doing a headstand IN THE DUCKY. Note Bruce's face.

Group stop to re-beer

More refueling

JD, Camber, John, Laura, Bruce, Dan, David, Francis, MK

MK

MK and Laura on the SUP

David and Dan

Coming around the last bend.

Thursday, a group of us floated from South Park to West Table on the Snake River.  We were out there all day and only suffered minor sunburns.  The river was flowing pretty fast and we made it to the take out just before it got too dark.  Laura and I started in the single duckies, while Bruce and Dan were in the tandem and David and Francis attempted the SUPs.  We ran into John, Camber and JD at a few little islands and had a mini party.  The day was long and great.  

David on the south wall in Corbet's Couloir

Dan belaying Bruce in Corbet's

Bruce

Bruce again

Dan and the Tram

MK and Dan hanging out in Corbet's

Dan climbing in Corbet's

Dan got a free cup for filling out a survey at the base.

MK and Dan climbing

Today, Friday, we went to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and took the Tram up to the top of Rendezvous Peak.  From there, we hiked down a few feet to Corbet's Couloir.  We rapped into the couloir and set up an anchor to begin climbing.  There were some great routes that made for a fun and easy afternoon.  We had only one minor incidents: someone threw a rock off the top into the Couloir and the rock hit Bruce in the head (luckily he had a helmet on), but was fine.  We then hiked over to the Gondola and the Deck for Happy Hour.  Overall, it's been a great weekend of climbing and rafting with more to come this week!

Climb More, Sleep Less

Irene's Arete

Last week was a busy week. Our friend Cam was in town, and we wanted to show him a good time. On Wednesday, we climbed the Teton ultra-classic Irene's Arête. We got lucky with the weather, and my friends Cam, Chris and I made it up and down in good style. Thursday was our "rest day", and we decided to float down the snake river. On Friday, during the wee hours of the morning, Cam and I geared up to climb the Grand. We started hiking at 2:15 AM, and arrived at the base of the Petzoldt Ridge shortly after the sun came out. We kept nice pace, and summited via the Upper-Exum Ridge. We came down in good spirits and with sore legs. It was a great week in the Tetons!

Tetons in the clouds

Chris and Cam moving on up

Top of Irene's Arete

Coming down Disappointment Peak

The Spoon Couloir

SUP handstands

The Snake River

MK in a duckie

Surf Wyoming

Petzoldt Ridge

On top of the Grand Teton

Foggy approach to Irene's Arete

Chris leading on Irene's Arete

Margaritas, Moose and 'Merica

Hey there!

We have had a super busy week here in Jackson.  Between working, floating the river, climbing, interviewing, happy hours, beerbee, interning, cooking out, babysitting and essentially living the dream, we haven't gotten around to making any posts recently.  No worries! Today is a double post of our most recent climb and some 4th of July Snake River goodness.

The crowds of booze-loving, river-running, Americans at the put in

John and Camber

We had an amazing time with wonderful people floating the Snake River.  We had rafts and SUPs and duckies and a lot of beer. The rain held out until we were off the river and cleared up just in time for one seriously patriotic rooftop grill out/fireworks viewing party next to Snow King. I made us burgers and dogs and after discovering my natural knack for grilling, we (I) made some grilled fish and steak tacos two nights ago with some friends at the casa. 

John, Giles, MK, Chris, Camber, and David

John and Camber

David rocking some handstand yoga SUPing

David attempting something

fireworks at Snow King

It was a gorgeous night and we played beerbee outside in the backyard. We ended up making frozen maragaritas which could have possibly been a bad idea since David and I had to wake up the following morning at 5:30 to catch the first boat across Jenny Lake for some climbing.

We made the first boat, in rough shape, and climbed the super fun 6 pitches on Guide's Wall.  David's co-worker Laura joined us.  We managed to be the first ones and the first ones off the climb making our go easy and exciting (probably not so much for the 4 parties behind us). The two pitches, David linked together, so there was a bit of a communication issue; that being we couldn't hear each other at all.  Two other parties started leading from a different variation on the final pitch which caused the mother of all traffic jams with 4 people climbing in one 50 foot stretch of beautiful Teton granite.  We were already on the route, David leading, me cleaning and Laura following on a separate rope.  I was less concerned with my hand jams and foot placements and more focused on the guy above me, praying his foot wouldn't slip and his 180 pound body end up taking me with him in his fall.  I found a good resting spot and held back until the guys were finished leading then high tailed it up the last 30 feet or so before their followers had a chance to get going. 

Laura on Guide's Wall

David belaying

The rappels were nice, either bolted or from solid trees, and combining our 60m and 70m ropes, we made it down in no time at all.  On our hike back down Cascade Canyon, we saw a moose hanging out and drinking some water in the little marsh areas. 

Cascade Canyon

Mr. Moose

We made the boat and were back in Jackson for some 1/2 off wings and drinks at happy hour!