The Grand Teton (13,770 feet) is America's most famous mountain and one of the world's classic climbs. As the focus of attention in the Tetons, the Grand and its two most popular routes hardly need introduction. The routes, the Exum Ridge and the Owen Spalding, are perhaps the two most well-known routes in the range, and not just because they lead to the summit of the highest point in the range. Some of the most high quality and aesthetic, garnet-bearing granite of the range protrudes along a south flank of the Grand Teton and forms the Exum Ridge, undeniably one of the most spectacular routes of its grade anywhere in the world.

The Owen-Spalding is an easier route whose guidebook description reveals little about how thrilling it really is. There is as much exposure, if not more, on the first two pitches of the Owen-Spalding as on many routes of a much harder grade. The climb via either route typically requires two days with an overnight at our Lower Saddle hut, which is completely stocked with everything needed for the climb except your own food and personal gear.