Grand Traverse
The Grand Traverse is one of North America’s most famous traverses. It links Teewinot, Mount Owen, the Grand Teton, Middle Teton, South Teton, Ice Cream Cone, Gilkey Tower, Spalding, Cloudveil Dome and Nez Perce for a grand total of ten summits. The climbing entails moderate snow, pitches of rock climbing up to 5.8 in difficulty, and seemingly endless pitches of scrambling and easy-to-moderate fifth-class climbing. There are harder individual routes in the Tetons but none involves more commitment. Among serious alpine climbs, the Grand Traverse reigns.
Although the actual logistics of the traverse may vary according to the conditions, Exum typically recommend three days for attempting the traverse.
Price:
Please call our office for pricing information.
Availability:
Mid-June - September
Prerequisites:
Climbers must have previous experience
climbing with Exum and be approved by
a guide.
climbing with Exum and be approved by
a guide.
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The first day involves a moderate scramble up Teewinot's east face, to the broken saddle between Teewinot and Mount Owen. Then over or around Owen's East Prong and up the classic east ridge or Koven Route to Mount Owen's summit. That night you and your guide will bivoac on the Grandstand, a stunning perch situated directly below the Grand Teton's North Ridge.
Day two begins with one of North America's most famous and spectacular climbs: the Grand Teton's north ridge. The route can be finished via the infamous Pendulum and "V" pitches of the upper North Face or via the less intimidating and more time efficient upper West Face.
You and your guide will then descend the Grand's Owen-Spalding route, continuing past the Lower Saddle and up the north ridge of the Middle Teton, a moderate climb on high-quality rock. From the summit of the Middle, an easy scramble down the southwest couloir leads to your second bivoac on the saddle between the Middle and South Teton.
The third day is the most active peak bagging day. You will scramble up, over and down the summits of the South Teton, Ice Cream Cone, Gilkey Tower, Spalding Peak, Cloudveil Dome and finally Nez Perce. None of the climbing on the third day is technically demanding, but much of it is fairly exposed and no less spectacular than any of the other climbing already completed.
Once you are back safe and sound on the valley floor, Exum will be pleased to award your successful climb with an embroidered Marmot fleece sweater or wind shirt, commemorating your achievement.
Due to the extremely rigorous nature of The Grand Traverse it is limited to clients with prior experience climbing with Exum. An Exum guide must have evaluated you to have the technical ability and the physical stamina to attempt the traverse.
Exum strongly recommends taking a week to train and acclimate immediately before attempting the traverse. Shorter traverses may be made as a warm-up to the Grand Traverse or as a goal in themselves.
Day two begins with one of North America's most famous and spectacular climbs: the Grand Teton's north ridge. The route can be finished via the infamous Pendulum and "V" pitches of the upper North Face or via the less intimidating and more time efficient upper West Face.
You and your guide will then descend the Grand's Owen-Spalding route, continuing past the Lower Saddle and up the north ridge of the Middle Teton, a moderate climb on high-quality rock. From the summit of the Middle, an easy scramble down the southwest couloir leads to your second bivoac on the saddle between the Middle and South Teton.
The third day is the most active peak bagging day. You will scramble up, over and down the summits of the South Teton, Ice Cream Cone, Gilkey Tower, Spalding Peak, Cloudveil Dome and finally Nez Perce. None of the climbing on the third day is technically demanding, but much of it is fairly exposed and no less spectacular than any of the other climbing already completed.
Once you are back safe and sound on the valley floor, Exum will be pleased to award your successful climb with an embroidered Marmot fleece sweater or wind shirt, commemorating your achievement.
Due to the extremely rigorous nature of The Grand Traverse it is limited to clients with prior experience climbing with Exum. An Exum guide must have evaluated you to have the technical ability and the physical stamina to attempt the traverse.
Exum strongly recommends taking a week to train and acclimate immediately before attempting the traverse. Shorter traverses may be made as a warm-up to the Grand Traverse or as a goal in themselves.
