Here’s the challenge again – Are YOU fit enough? We challenge you to become the first taker in 2013!

What do you get when you take a classic North American climb and add a little epic? The answer is a one-day ascent of the Grand Teton with Exum Mountain Guides … and if you are fit enough to take it on, the reward will be extreme bragging rights! Finish a marathon? – Nice. Complete a triathlon? – Not Bad. Accomplish this? – WOW!

Reaching the summit of the Grand Teton is typically a two-day effort that any outdoor enthusiast can be proud of. Reaching the summit in one day entitles you to a new level of proud. Think you’re fit enough? – Keep Reading.

The details: You will cover 14,000 feet of elevation gain/loss with fast paced hiking, scrambling, climbing, down climbing and rappelling in your 12-16 hour effort. Along the way you will encounter breathtaking views, sometimes through the sweat dripping into your eyes. You’ll pass other climbers on the way up, and on the way down, and you’ll stop only for short rests to grab a snack, water, and down some GU. If you are successful you will be rewarded with a summit view that is hard to beat and memories you will never forget.

Still think you’re fit enough? Call us to book your climb and together we will find out! More Info.

The fine print: You must qualify for this climb prior to the attempt. We require a preparation day or check-out climb for all Grand Teton climbers.

The new Exum Live To Ski Camp establishes the highest standard of ski mountaineering progression for skiers who aspire to ride the big lines in the great ranges of the world.

Dreaming of Denali? Plans to Ski the Grand Teton? The Live to Ski Camp is all about getting you ready. You’ll learn from Exum’s most acclaimed ski guides.

How to nail your turn when it matters most, how to seamlessly transition into and out of technical climbing systems, and how to make critical decisions in big mountains are just a few of the things we will cover during the camp.

To see photos of backcountry skiing in the Tetons similar to what we will do in the camp, see the online photo gallery.

The Live to Ski camp will be May 8-11 in Jackson,WY. We still have space in the camp so come and join us for what Skiing Magazine calls “America’s Definitive Ski-Mountaineering Camp”. Ski classic Teton peaks and go home a far more confident backcountry skier.

Call us now to find out more about the camp or to sign up. ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT!!

When Bill Briggs first skied the Grand Teton he had this to say, “The idea wasn’t for me, that I would be the only one that would ever do this. My idea was that everybody should be doing this. “ At the time nobody was, but this is something that’s too much fun to pass up. With that in mind one needs to look no further than Doug Coombs. Through his inclusive nature and contagious enthusiasm, Doug has inspired skiers, guides and clients throughout the world to seek out adventure. His first ski descent of the Otterbody with Mark Newcomb in June of 1997 inspired me. At the time it was considered the cutting edge of ski mountaineering in North America. Doug enjoyed it so much, he went on to ski the route twice more and created a movie titled “The Otterbody Experience”. He had so much fun skiing the Grand Teton that he made a decision to share that experience with his clients, and went on to make the first guided ski descent of the Grand Teton via the Ford/Stettner route in 2004.

Doug’s vision cannot be understated. Prior to Doug’s first, no one seriously considered this possible, and upon his success we began to look at these routes in a different light. Exum guides Nat Patridge and Bill Anderson took the next step by making the first guided ski descent of the Grand Teton in winter in 2008.

Following in their footsteps, I felt the Otterbody could be guided safely and enjoyably in the right conditions. Avoiding the melt freeze cycles that created difficult conditions for earlier parties, our plan was to seek out stable winter powder. The Otterbody/East face is a spectacularly exposed route. Its position is unrivaled, hanging thousands of feet above the climbers that trudge up Garnet canyon year in and year out. The hazards are severe and should not be taken lightly. Doug considered it one of his most serious routes. In February of this year fellow Exum guide Dan Corn and I went to up to experience this first hand. What we found had us giddy. Under the the right conditions and a stable snowpack, this route was not the horror fest described by some skiers who have made the descent but an extremely technical, yet enjoyable glisse into Garnet canyon.

Although the idea to guide this route was formed in winter 2012, it wasn’t until that day this February that I realized it was possible. Alex Kretschmann, a former ski racer, was on his way to Jackson Hole with the Otterbody on his mind. With a background in ski mountaineering and alpine climbing he was well versed in the techniques required to succeed in such an endeavor. To further bolster our chances, Exum guide Patrick Ormond was brought on board.

To make a long story short, we camped at the lower saddle and climbed the Owen Spalding route to the summit.  We began our descent under clear skies. The snow was perfect, boot deep powder. Exhilarating and belayed skiing down the east face led us to a rappel. After this we were on the Otterbody itself.  More powder and belayed skiing led to another series of rappels which concluded the technical portion of the route.  From there it was a 5000 foot victory lap to the valley floor.

Look like fun? Give us a call to find out how you can prepare for an adventure like this.

Call a friend or two and then call us to reserve your space.

The Live to Ski Camp is Exum’s highest-level camp, for advanced skiers looking to tackle increasingly challenging ascents and descents on their own.

The 4-Day preparatory course will begin with two days of skills development and high angle ski techniques, anchor construction, belayed skiing and rappelling – all held high in the Tetons. The second part of the course will entail skiing a major Teton objective such as the Skillet Glacier on Mt. Moran, or other route off of a major Teton summit.

For more information please see the Live to Ski web page, or call the Exum office at 307-733-2297.

Follow the link below to read what Nat had to say about the life of a guide.

Outside Online

Once you read the interview you will know why we are lucky to have Nat as a senior guide and as our President.

This course will be the first of it’s kind and will provide a great opportunity to ski the Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park powder while increasing your avalanche knowledge.

For more information see the AIARE website.

AIARE and National Ski Patrol certification and USU credit are available.

Call the Exum office today to reserve your space in the course.

The Backcountry Ski Weeks are designed for skiers who want an introduction to backcountry skiing, and also for skiers who are ready to step it up and attempt some of most famous descents in the range.  The guides, many of whom are IFMGA and PSIA certified instructors, are some of the best ski mountaineers in the country. They will use their years of experience to carefully select the ideal itineraries for participants, and will share personal tips on everything from gear selection, skinning, track setting, snow pack stability, decision making, and the technical aspects of ski mountaineering.

Thanks to Marmot and K2, all participants will receive a limited edition softshell jacket, a winter hat, and other gifts. Participants will also have the chance to win a Gore-Tex jacket and gear from K2.

Skiers will be treated to a home-cooked breakfast and a sack lunch each day from the Alpine House, along with one special family-style dinner at which the guides will share slides and stories from their own skiing adventures. The Alpine House, owned by renowned local skiers and Olympic competitors Hans and Nancy Johnstone, offers a magnificent opportunity to relax while surrounded with ski mountaineering memorabilia.

More information

On Sept. 11, 2001 a tragic event changed the lives of everyone in the world. We left our regular lives, our families and friends to answer the call and hopefully make a positive difference.

We went to war not because we agreed or even because we knew exactly what was going on, but to serve with other heroic human beings. Some of us did not come back the same. Badly broken we strive everyday to put the pieces back together. Every day was full of defeat and victories, but no matter what, we never gave up.

Doctors told us we would never do things like we used to, but we did them anyway. We learned to adapt and overcome our physical, mental and psychological barriers. We may have been told we could never climb a mountain like the one we climbed and even with the strong wind and the cold and the bad ice conditions as they were, together we climbed the Grand Teton on Sept. 11, 2012!

The powerful energy bringing people together and uniting as one has given us an experience unlike anything I have ever experienced! Bringing great organizations together like My Bright Mountain, Paradox, Catalyst and Exum Mountain Guides allowing us to make a powerful dream come true! That is what this climbing experience is all about.

To read more, check out the Salt Lake City Tribune article.