Trip Report
What Happened on the Mountain..
Friday July 21, 2017 8:23am
What Happened on the Mountain

Three years ago I stood at the same spot – the beginning of the Garnet Canyon Trail – heavily loaded down with food, water, camping gear, and all climbing equipment necessary to ascend the Grand Teton. I had been harboring a secret love affair with this magnificent peak since I saw a picture of it as a kiddo. In this picture the 13,770 foot tall Grand, located in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, towered far above its neighboring peaks, majestic and stoic. It drew me in like a magnet.
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The magnificent Grand Teton
The magnificent Grand Teton
Credit: MtnMoma
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The Garnet Canyon Trail is more than six miles long and ascends over four thousand feet onto the Lower Saddle of the Grand. Often climbers choose to bivouac here and attempt to climb the remaining 2,200 feet of elevation gain the following day. The Jenny Lake Rangers website states that it is not uncommon for parties to take 14 hours or more to make the round trip already starting at the Lower Saddle. Three years ago, while bivouacking on the Lower Saddle, winter had made an unannounced arrival and had glazed the Grand with a beautiful but unclimbable veil of ice for us. The dream of summitting had slipped away during that night.
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Crossing the bolder field before reaching the Meadows
Crossing the bolder field before reaching the Meadows
Credit: MtnMoma
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Since then, I had had ample time to contemplate another attempt. I had read about climbers’ successes and failures, opinions on gear improvement and suggestions on weight reduction. I had also read about ascents in a single day – car-to-car – by what the guidebooks refer to as ‘very fit’ climbers. While I was in ‘decent’ shape, my heydays of being a top athlete had long been replaced with years of motherhood and deskwork. Still, I was eager to try again – this time car-to-car. It was easy to convince Nick, my partner in crime when it comes to anything vertical, of doing a single-day push with small, feather light packs.
It was two o’clock in the morning when Nick and I stood at the beginning of the Garnet Canyon Trail. I carried a rope while Nick carried a minimal gear rack. We had water filters to allow us to drink directly from brooks. Instead of my traditional mountain fare of a loaf of bread and a pound of cheese, we had energy bars and goop. Our climbing harnesses were replaced with super light mountaineering harnesses, and we left our climbing shoes behind hoping to ascend the Grand in approach shoes. Upon recommendation by rangers, we also left our crampons behind and each of us only carried an ice axe.
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Bad hairdo at 4am at 10,000 feet
Bad hairdo at 4am at 10,000 feet
Credit: MtnMoma
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We began our hike under a canopy of millions of stars and made good progress, arriving at the Meadows at 9,300 feet by sunrise. After we ascended the switchbacks to the Middle Teton Glacier Moraine we worked our way to a snowfield below the Lower Saddle. Since the traditional approach with fixed ropes was still buried below snow, we had to traverse the precariously steep snowfield. We had been informed that the snowfield could be crossed without crampons, as temperatures had been warm during the past days, but in the early morning hours the crossing had frozen to sheer ice. Without crampons our shoes had no solid footing. This was dicey. Nick and I set out moving with extreme caution. Traversing the icy snowfield with only one ice axe each took intense concentration and much longer than anticipated, but we finally reached the Lower Saddle at eight o’clock with a huge sigh of relief. There was enough time left in the day to attempt a push to the summit.
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Nick crossing the precarious snow field
Nick crossing the precarious snow field
Credit: MtnMoma
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When we began the arduous hike to the Upper Saddle, I noticed that Nick’s movements had slowed and his color was all but ash gray. We were at 11,600 feet and he was not feeling well. I suggested a rest to adjust to the altitude. Meanwhile I took pictures of precious alpine flowers. Not long after, Nick begifted these flowers with his breakfast – projectile vomiting style. He was sick. Not knowing much about altitude sickness, I encouraged him to push on. He might get better and the two of us would fulfill our dream of reaching the summit. I pointed to the black dyke, a landmark at 12,200 feet, and encouraged him to try to reach it. There we would rest again and regroup. A good sport, and not wanting to give up his dream, he pushed on, vomiting multiple times. He lost all food and hydration. We had to return to a lower elevation. From my first attempt, three years ago, I was already familiar with the sinking feeling of turning my back to the Grand without summitting. For Nick it was a first attempt, and a huge disappointment.
Two weeks later we were back. We knew the drill. Light packs, granola bars and goop, to bed at six p.m., up at one for an early two a.m. start. The only problem was, it was late July, and it was hot - too hot to sleep. We tossed and turned in the van, which had been our home for several weeks already, unable to fall asleep. By ten o’clock I announced that I could not climb the Grand car-to-car on only three hours of sleep. We had to postpone. After the decision was made, we promptly fell asleep.
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Resting at the Upper Saddle
Resting at the Upper Saddle
Credit: MtnMoma
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The next day temperatures were cooler and we tried again. This time we slept and were on the trail as planned at two a.m. We hiked swiftly, arriving at the Meadows even before sunrise. With each step I felt lighter and lighter, enjoying the ease of my load, and the freshness of the night air. I was thrilled to be back, now for the third time. Nick on the other hand began to feel nauseated and not long after arriving at the Middle Teton Glacier Moraine got sick again. Since our last climbing attempt, I had learned that the only effective remedy for altitude sickness is to return to a lower elevation. As we rested and let reality sink in, a hiker approached us. He walked with a solid and steady gate, and had the look of a man who had experience in the mountains. As he passed, a quick conversation confirmed that indeed the only remedy for altitude sickness was to retreat. Nick was devastated. Knowing however that I was feeling well and energized, he encouraged me to go on. If I was lucky, I could join another climbing party and make the summit. If nothing else I could summit the Enclosure Peak, a magical peak at 13,285 feet and the high point of my summit attempt three years ago. I knew the way and technical climbing was not necessary to reach this peak.
Grateful for Nick’s support, I gave him a big hug, took the climbing rack from his pack, and continued on. I knew he would be fine returning to the Meadows on his own. Hundreds of times I had imagined the two of us on the summit together. Now I found myself forging ahead with the prospect of sharing this monumental experience with complete strangers should I be lucky enough to find a willing team. I remembered the mountain man who had passed us earlier. He had been alone and had carried only a small daypack, probably without technical climbing gear. I had all the gear for a team. If I could catch him, would he join me?
I had a glimpse of him crossing the snowfield below the Lower Saddle. I increased my pace and finally met up with him while he rested at the Exum hut. He was a quiet man, words only spoken with purpose, a stark contrast to my excited bubbling speech as I filled him in on my plan. Besides my many questions, not a word of beta slipped his mouth. He remained tight-lipped about any climbing route information, probably thinking that I was yet another wacky tourist who will need a rescue later in the day. After a short rest he began the hike to the Upper Saddle. I was just one step behind him, like one of Konrad Lorenz’s goslings, firmly ‘imprinted’ on the first large moving object the goslings see after hatching. Feeling a bit guilty, I finally asked if he would mind the company. He responded softly that company might be enjoyable. During our evolving conversation and only due to my insistent probing, I learned that he had summited the Grand many times and had in fact put up several routes in the park and other places around the country. I felt giddy with delight, wanting to somersault with joy. What fortune to find this experienced and seasoned mountain man – a perfect climbing partner.
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Taking pictures of Alpine flora while Nick tries to recuperate
Taking pictures of Alpine flora while Nick tries to recuperate
Credit: MtnMoma
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While hiking, we spoke about life. We discovered that we both looked at life as an adventure and taking risks as a welcomed spice. We talked about pushing oneself beyond the zone of comfort as the only way to gain experiences and to grow. We both agreed, that even if united in love or marriage, life was still a solo adventure. I was surprised and delighted by his views. I had found a like-minded soul.
While hiking quietly, he seemed deep in thought. Suddenly he mentioned an accident that had happened the previous day. It was a rappelling accident, he explained. I knew that it was dangerous to rappel the mountain with a single rope, which is all I had, but I knew it could be done. He offered no further explanation and I imagined that a climber had missed the end of the ropes by a couple of feet and had possibly twisted an ankle, causing a rescue. I made a mental note not to forget to make knots in the ends of my rope before rappelling.
Finally, we arrived at the Upper Saddle, the point where the path splits between the technical climbing of the Grand and the Enclosure Peak. Here, the mountain man suddenly announced: “Isa, today you will summit the Grand!” I was overjoyed. We would climb and summit as a team. Then he looked at me and declared to my utter surprise that he would continue on to the Enclosure Peak. Somehow I must have earned his trust however because he went on to explain the various crucial sections of the technical route I planned to climb. He wished me good luck as we shook hands and went on his way.

Totally stunned, I found myself alone. I remembered our conversation. Life was a solo adventure and it takes courage to step outside one’s comfort zone. The mountain man knew all along that he would not summit the Grand. But in a gentle way he had encouraged me to take the risk. I carried his calm and quiet confidence with me as I hiked up to the beginning of the Owen-Spaulding route. I had soloed easy and some moderate ice climbs, but I did not consider myself a solo climber. I knew, however, that the technical difficulties of the Owen-Spaulding route should not present a problem. It was the sheer exposure that could rattle the nerves. Climbing unroped over thousands of feet of vertical abyss, overlooking the Black Ice Couloir and the Valhalla Canyon, demanded calmness and focus.
I promised myself that I would not proceed should I be unable to reverse my steps. I put on my climbing harness, clipped a few pieces of protection on slings in case I needed a rest, and tied the rope to my back.
The Owen-Spaulding route begins with the famous “belly crawl,” a ledge squeezed by an overhanging wall obstructing the view of the climb. I plugged in a Camelot and leaned out to have a look. Once I could see the ledge, I quickly moved out onto its face, removed the protection, and began the airy traverse. The exposure was dizzying. I reminded myself to keep my focus on the rock and not on the abyss below. I moved with ease, enjoying the freedom of not being tied to anything. A double chimney, the crux of the route, follows the belly crawl. Even though it is technically not too difficult, ascending its huge flake, jammed inside the chimney, requires some intricate moves. I marveled at the skills, which guides must possess, to safely protect often-inexperienced clients on this route.
I did come upon a team of climbers high in the Owen Chimney. After I greeted them, they hollered that the chimney was iced over. When I asked if it was okay for me to climb up and have a look, they willingly invited me. There was indeed ice in the chimney, but the climbers were able to use the existing pitons for protection. All geared up, they were enjoying a winter experience in July. I climbed around them on dry rock and proceeded to the very large Sargent’s Chimney. I moved swiftly through the chimney, once again feeling an indescribable bliss combined with the enjoyable freedom of movement and an appreciation for the speed that solo climbing allows. A friend once mentioned, that when you are finally on your life’s path, instead of experiencing a struggle, it would feel as though angels were pushing you forward and you could hardly keep up. Of course, she had meant it with regards to a career and not such silliness as climbing big mountains. Still, I felt propelled by an unseen force, uplifted and energized with each step, fearless and confident. Trail angels are what my friend had called them.
After the Sargent’s Chimney, I reached the upper slabs that lead to the summit. Climbing books warn about paying close attention here, as the same path will be needed for descending and is difficult to find on the way down. Many accidents occur on this part of the climb, which was a concern for me. But for now, I wanted to first enjoy the peak.
When I reached the magnificent summit I climbed onto the highest rock, which had a geological survey benchmark indicating the very top of the Grand. Standing on it, I turned around in a circle, arms outstretched, deeply breathing in the air, and marveling at the stunning view. With the Grand being the highest point of the Grand Teton Range, and with no other mountain range in sight, standing on the very top of it feels like standing on top of the world. After two unsuccessful attempts, I had finally summited. It was exhilarating!
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On the summit of the Grand
On the summit of the Grand
Credit: MtnMoma
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Just as I had reached the top, a team of three young climbers approached from the direction of the Exum route. We quickly became friendly as is common among climbers. I felt an incredible appreciation for their presence. I had been unsure of the descent, but these young men had been here before and would know the way. I offered to tie our ropes together for the rappel but they declined and instead offered me the use of their ropes. We safely rappelled back to the Upper Saddle where I had begun my solo climb. I thanked them for their generosity. As I watched them begin the long climb down to the Lower Saddle I could not help but think of trail angels. These young men had come out of nowhere, assisted me safely back onto solid ground, and then left. I suddenly realized that the mountain man had done the same thing. He had appeared, had inspired me and filled me with confidence, and then he was gone.
Slowly, I began the descent to the Lower Saddle. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy, gratitude, wonder, and appreciation. I had stood on top of the Grand – finally!
The Lower Saddle was a welcomed point of rest. It was here that I had spoken with the mountain man while he had lingered at the side of the Exum hut. I would eventually proceed to finish my car-to-car ascent of the Grand in a little over sixteen hours. Before I continued, however, another climber informed me that an Exum mountain guide had fallen to his death on the Owen-Spaulding route just the previous day. While guiding clients, he had fallen 2,400 feet from the rappel into the Valhalla Canyon below. The somber news shattered my joy. I sat down next to the hut and took a moment to take in what I had learned.
Suddenly I understood. The mountain man had rested here to remember his friend – the guide - and had come to climb the Enclosure Peak to honor him. The Enclosure Peak is believed to be a site where Native Americans had once performed sacred ceremonies on its peak. The mountain man knew that if he would tell me that the accident of his friend just twenty-four hours earlier on the Owen-Spaulding route had been fatal, I would not be able to go on and climb the route. Instead, he kept his sorrow to himself and encouraged me on my journey – a true trail angel.
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The Benchmark on the summit of the Grand
The Benchmark on the summit of the Grand
Credit: MtnMoma
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As I sat next to the Exum hut, I climbed every step of the route again in my mind. I envisioned putting my fingers where the guide had put his fingers and stepping with my shoes where he had left invisible footprints. I remembered looking down into the dizzying abyss of the Valhalla Canyon, unaware of the devastating secret it held. I relived the joy of being on the summit and felt his joy, a fellow climber, with whom I share the love for the mountains and the passion for climbing. I felt again the incredible uplifting energy. It was as if someone had grabbed me under my arms and had pushed me – higher and higher – while protecting me from harm.
Trail angels had assisted me along my journey but a real angel – a real climbing pro – had graciously guided me, I was certain, while I soloed the Grand.

 * -
This encounter happened in July 2016 and was not published for one year out of respect to the guide and his family.

 * -
Isa is the author of "Under a Blue Moon." More information: www.isaoehry.com

  Trip Report Views: 3,314
MtnMoma
About the Author
MtnMoma is a trad, rock and ice climber from Liechtenstein now Vermont.


http://www.isaoehry.com

Comments
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Jul 21, 2017 - 09:27am PT
wonderful telling with all the essentials of the climbing life.

TFPU
BigB

Trad climber
Red Rock
  Jul 21, 2017 - 09:29am PT
awesome TR tfpu!!!!
Rollover

climber
Gross Vegas
  Jul 21, 2017 - 10:07am PT
Great writing Isa!
Thank you!!
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
  Jul 21, 2017 - 10:30am PT
Outstanding TR.

Made me feel like i was a step behind you.

Thanks
FRUMY

Trad climber
Bishop,CA
  Jul 21, 2017 - 10:32am PT
TFPU
Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Jul 21, 2017 - 10:55am PT
Indeed. Good TR, Isa.
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
  Jul 21, 2017 - 12:30pm PT
Very good stuff, thanks for sharing the climb with us.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
  Jul 21, 2017 - 01:18pm PT
Great story and photos - thanks for sharing!
Beatrix Kiddo

Mountain climber
Durango ColoRADo
  Jul 21, 2017 - 01:34pm PT
AWESOME!!!
dirt claud

Social climber
san diego,ca
  Jul 21, 2017 - 02:41pm PT
These are the kinds of posts that makes ST so great. Thanks for the TR, really awesome adventure and human spirit.
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Jul 21, 2017 - 03:42pm PT
This is wonderful Isa!!!
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
  Jul 21, 2017 - 04:47pm PT
Isa also had a close bear encounter on the way down from her summit. I went down and crashed in the van for a few hours then hiked back up to get Isa's pack for the last mile or so...
L

climber
Just livin' the dream
  Jul 21, 2017 - 05:54pm PT
What an amazing and touching story!
Trail angels indeed.
Congrats on your summit
and thank you for taking us along with you.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Jul 22, 2017 - 05:27am PT
Great story....way to hang in there!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Jul 22, 2017 - 04:48am PT
That was beautiful; the writing, the perspective, the story, and the way you put us there.
I wonder if I know "the mountain man"...
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
  Jul 22, 2017 - 05:00am PT

The mountain man could have been an apparition the way you tell it. Thank you for the telling.
Woody the Beaver

Trad climber
Soldier, Idaho
  Jul 22, 2017 - 05:18am PT
Thanks!
norm larson

climber
wilson, wyoming
  Jul 22, 2017 - 07:57am PT
Nice story with a happy ending. Great writing, congrats and thanks.
WyoRockMan

climber
Grizzlyville, WY
  Jul 22, 2017 - 11:32am PT
Great report/writing Isa. I really enjoyed that. Congrats on getting your long sought after summit!
rgold

Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
  Jul 22, 2017 - 12:26pm PT
Great story Isa!

I'm on my way out there in a few days. Hope the mountain man is still on duty.
MtnMoma

Trad climber
Liechtenstein now Vermont
Author's Reply  Jul 24, 2017 - 11:01am PT
Hey thanks you guys for all the great feedback!

By the way, the mountain man is real and I am sure many of you know him or at least know of him.
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
  Jul 24, 2017 - 11:13am PT
Excellent writing, thanks for sharing!
labrat

Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
  Jul 24, 2017 - 12:34pm PT
Nice read! TFPU!
Erik
High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber
  Jul 24, 2017 - 01:25pm PT
Great report, great spirit, too.

Where do you live? Any interest in climbing it again?
I'll be there in two weeks.
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
  Jul 24, 2017 - 06:04pm PT
Wonderful report and sincere writing. Congratulations on a great summit. I once flew out there from California, hiked in, blasted to the lower saddle, scrambled to the upper saddle ( The summit was all but guaranteed from there in my opinion) and promptly barfed my bodyweight for 30 minutes.....then stood up and felt a little "pop" in my knee and felt the first pangs of a torn meniscus.

Sent my friends to the summit while I hobbled back down..... humbled and lonely.

A memorable bail on a beautiful mountain. I hope to get back there someday.

Thanks for your fantastic report,

Scott
Nick Danger

Ice climber
Arvada, CO
  Aug 15, 2017 - 12:46pm PT
This is a really great story, Isa, and I can relate to it on several levels. It reminds me of a number of solo climbs as I was expanding my personal repertoire of mountaineering experiences early on, and the incredible feeling of lightness upon succeeding in those early endeavors. Trail angels indeed; I have had more than my fair share of encounters with them. Finally, your tale reminds me once4 again just how extraordinarily special the Tetons are, and especially the Grand. I have never had a trip up the Grand that did not penetrate to my very core and become an intimate part of my very being, as it obviously has to you as well.

Cheers, and thanks again, this one was really special.
MH2

Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
  Aug 15, 2017 - 01:01pm PT
Good.
Larry Nelson

Social climber
  Aug 15, 2017 - 03:59pm PT
Wow, that is some beautiful writing.
TFPU
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
  Aug 15, 2017 - 04:03pm PT
Just wanted to let you know I've read this 4 times now since you first put it up. Very nice writing style and tale. Thank you!
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