Teewinot Mountain, Mount Owen, and the Grand Teton are known as the Cathedral Group because of their majestic appearance from the northeast. The Cathedral Traverse begins with the Teewinot-Owen Traverse; it is described separately. The entire climb involves hard, roped climbing, intricate down-climbing, rappelling, and complex route finding. From the top of Mount Owen we descend over exposed rock on the south ridge, and then rappel into Gunsight Notch. Two pitches of 5.7 crack climbing lead to a spectacular bivouac at the Grandstand, high above the Teton Glacier. In the morning we will climb either the Italian Cracks or the classic North Ridge route. The former consists of exposed 5.8 pitches on beautiful golden rock; the latter ascends a difficult chimney. Both are rated Grade IV.

From the summit of the Grand Teton, we descend to the Lower Saddle via the Owen-Spalding Route and hike seven miles down Garnet Canyon to the Lupine Meadows trailhead. Experienced and exceptionally strong climbers may consider attempting the Cathedral Traverse in one long day, but be prepared for an epic.