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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 23, 2017 - 09:12pm PT
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Hey friends and acquaintances, if you're in the neighborhood, please stop by to join me in the Tetons for walks, climbs, conversation,...whatever. I'm planning on being in the Tetons from July 25 to August 15. I'll be staying at the AAC climbers ranch, so should be easy to find.
Here's the back story, with apologies to those who have heard it already. Sixty years ago, as it turns out on the day I'll be arriving this summer, the Exum guides shepherded the 13 year-old mini-me up the Owen-Spaulding route on the the Grand, initiating, for a dyed-in-the-wool city boy with a family that thought "outdoor activity" meant a walk in Central Park, a lifelong love of mountains and the climbing arts associated with them.
This 73 year-old version of that long-ago boy has a lot of crag and mountain mileage on the chassis, and every part way out of warrantee (including a cadaver ACL that is surprised and not all that happy to be pressed back into service after what looked like the promise of eternal rest). The old junker is heading back for a reunion---or is it a pilgrimage---to the place where it all began, and part of what would make it worthwhile would be to see folks I haven't seen in years and meet people I've only conversed with electronically. (And if we've had conflicts on the information highway, all is forgiven, as the cliche "life is too short" takes on meaning proportional to how literally true it has become.)
Although I'll be happy just being out there for a spell, I would like to climb some things, including the Grand. The trouble is that I've been pretty much a low-country rock climber for at least the past 20 years, and have no idea how I'll feel slogging up endless scree and then trying to climb at 10,000 feet plus. I'm planning on a modest first week of mostly hiking and maybe some easy climbs, and then I think I'll know better what I might be able to do in the subsequent two weeks. As far as climbing goes, I want to stay as far off the beaten path as possible, and have quite a few ideas about how to do that enjoyably, if the rusty old body parts agree to cooperate.
So stop on by if you can, I'd love to see you!
I'm going to apologize ahead of time for periodic bumping for the coming several weeks, since we all know how long a note like this will last in the visible spectrum of Supertopo threads, and I'd like to have as many potential companions as possible see it.
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High Fructose Corn Spirit
Gym climber
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Jun 23, 2017 - 09:17pm PT
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Sounds great. Don't you want to stay through the 21st solar eclipse since you're already there?
It's not to missed!
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Jun 23, 2017 - 09:20pm PT
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If I was still functional I'd meet you there, Rich, and we could visit the Jenny Lake boulders.
Just joking. Have a great time!
;>)
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jun 23, 2017 - 09:37pm PT
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Some long idle gears are turning and the drawbridge is lowering...Hmmmmm!
I was just pondering seeing if you might be interested John...Double Hmmmmm!
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 23, 2017 - 09:55pm PT
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Sounds great. Don't you want to stay through the 21st solar eclipse since you're already there?
It's not to missed!
Actually, I was careful to leave a week before that event. I'm pretty sure the park will be jammed to the gills and I don't want to be anywhere near the crowds I think are going to congregate. For example, I noticed a single meetup of people planning on viewing the eclipse from the summit of the Grand that had 298 signups. That's just one meetup. So no, I'm gonna be outta there by then.
If I was still functional I'd meet you there, Rich, and we could visit the Jenny Lake boulders.
I'll probably walk over there to have a look at our old stomping grounds John, but looking would be the extent of my "visit." That cadaver ACL, as well as the manufacturer's original equipment in the other knee, have declared a permanent moratorium on jumping off anything, even (and perhaps especially) onto those pad thingies that we never had BITD.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 24, 2017 - 04:48am PT
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They were looking good Thursday!
I couldn't get the bus driver to stop though.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Jun 24, 2017 - 06:29am PT
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Rich, I may take you up on that. I'll be in Bozeman the week before, after reading Kelsey's new book I just have to get back to the Winds. The Tetons are in route and I have planned to spend some time there! Safe travels.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 24, 2017 - 08:23am PT
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I've been reading Kelsey's book too and have the same nostalgia---the Winds are my favorite place, and once I discovered them Jackson Hole became little more than the staging area for Wind River trips. But the Tetons, in addition to being the place where I started on this journey, is also logistically far simpler for me in the absence of a single partner.
I have been musing for some time about hiking the length of the Wind River range (sans climbing gear and so with greatly reduced pack weight). Maybe next year, if my body holds up to the Tetons well enough.
Anyway Charlie, please do stop by if you are coming through when I'm around.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 24, 2017 - 11:22am PT
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They were looking good Thursday!
Wow, Reilly, that's a lot of snow. Looks like Garnet Canyon is snow down to the platforms and the East Face of Teewinot is snow down to almost the valley floor.
I've been to the Tetons in late June and don't think we had that much snow...
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steve shea
climber
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Jun 24, 2017 - 11:34am PT
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You should be ok by the time you arrive. Temps in mid 70's to low 80's now. The runoff however is at almost historic levels. The Gros Vente has taken out Cattlemen's Bridge on Spring Gulch road and reduced the Kelly road to one lane, maybe. It could wash the entire width the way things are going. The Snake is raging.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jun 24, 2017 - 01:04pm PT
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Hey Steve- Write me at scgrossman@msn.com as an old friend of yours Chip would like to get in touch with you again. I sent you an email through the ST mail but it doesn't seem to be working.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 25, 2017 - 07:28am PT
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Thanks for the update Steve. I'll leave the snow pickets at home and bring my water wings.
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steve shea
climber
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Jun 25, 2017 - 08:53am PT
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Rich I might be around when you are here if you need a climbing partner. I never know, summer is a fluid schedule. Also my house is on the Moose Wilson rd. four miles from GTNP. We are almost in the glide path for the eclipse. Just pull out a lawn chair and your glacier glasses. No crowds dead end road.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 25, 2017 - 10:36am PT
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Wow Steve, thanks for the offers. I'll try to stay in touch...
As for the eclipse, I carefully planned to be far out of town before that happened on the assumption that the crowds would not enhance my experience, but thanks so much for the lawn chair offer.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Jun 25, 2017 - 10:51am PT
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We'll be leaving the ranch on the 25th. Maybe we'll bump into on your way in!
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 25, 2017 - 11:03am PT
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Hope so Brian! I should be pulling in early afternoon on the 25th (leaving that morning from SLC), and you'd be the ideal person to let me know about current conditions!
So much so that I'd make an effort to leave earlier if it made a difference in our meeting up or not...
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Jun 26, 2017 - 02:06am PT
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Rich. bummed we won't be able to meet up out there. isa and I are both injured and staying close to home this summer...
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Nick Danger
Ice climber
Arvada, CO
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Jun 26, 2017 - 06:16am PT
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Rich,
I could justify a trip to the Tetons during that time period just to hang with you. I, too, have a cadaver ACL; I requested velociraptor tissue but I don't think the surgeon was able to come through for me on that one. My various OEM and aftermarket parts vary in their crabbiness on a daily schedule, but I can think of no more wonderful person to take the old chassis out to "see waddle she do" than your own august self. If I make it I'll bring all of the usual accoutrements just to be prepared for any level of stupidity.
Would very much love to meet you in person.
cheers
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 26, 2017 - 06:59am PT
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isa and I are both injured and staying close to home this summer...
So sorry to hear that. It does have way of coming with the territory. I guess if you are going to be injured, there's comfort and camaraderie in both being injured. Couples rehab!
Hope you heal up well, and...there's always next year...
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Happy Cowboy
Social climber
Boz MT
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Jun 26, 2017 - 07:04am PT
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Hey Rich, great plans. Wish you a Grand experience. If by chance you're passing the Gallatin valley you'd be welcome.
Charlie D, when in Boze give me a call. You still have my contacts?
As I type I can see Jeannie's house, where your friend Dick D visits.
Safe travel and adventure to all.
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