the Grand from Driggs

Well clearly I’ve been busy and the blog a low priority as it’s been six months since I last updated it. Oh well.  Let's cut to the chase, a writeup of a recent noteworthy adventure.  On a rare smoke-free day in mid-August, I managed to fulfill a goal of mine since moving to Driggs last summer – the Grand in a day from the house under human power.  

distorted panoramic from atop hurricane pass

I left the house at first light and rode an uneventful hour to the teton canyon trailhead.  I then stashed my bike and swapped shoes before starting up the trail to hurricane pass.  The classic view of the tetons from hurricane pass felt a little different than usual…perhaps cause I was about to try to cross this rugged trail-less terrain straight to the Grand?

I made sure to enjoy the mile or so of trail down to the south fork of cascade creek before crossing the creek, filling up on water and starting the off-trail odyssey to the lower saddle.  Gaining the ridge just west of the Dartmouth basin wasn’t bad but the descent into the basin was a challenging mix of scree skiing, boulder hopping and steep dirt sliding. The Dartmouth basin felt like a barren wasteland of rock and snow that rarely sees human traffic.  Once across, I started up the Dartmouth couloir which proved to be the mental lowpoint of the day, again a challenging mix of stable talus, shifty talus and loose scree.  I slowly willed myself onwards and upwards until cresting the ridge near the black dike, a few hundred vertical feet above the lower saddle.  I spent several minutes sitting, eating, drinking, etc and mentally recharging.  

a picture from a different/smoky day, showing the climb to the ridge west of the dartmouth basin, as well as the prominent dartmouth couloir which splits the black dike just left of the lower saddle

looking east across the dartmouth basin 

lower saddle from the dartmouth basin

up the dartmouth couloir.  about as fun as it looks

I then launched upwards on the climber’s trail, thankful for a trail and to be feeling and moving much better (cause and effect perhaps?).  I got several funny looks and comments from the hordes of guides, clients and other climbers descending the trail.  Once at the upper saddle, I paused for a minute to check my shoes, let my heart rate drop and to mentally switch gears to safe/slow climbing mode.  I carefully made my way up the OS route, which I was a little concerned about doing in running shoes for my first time but ended up being a non-issue.  I spent a few minutes on the summit chatting with other climber’s before starting down. This was my fourth time descending the grand and I finally didn’t get lost trying to find sergeants chimney or other landmarks of the way down.  Once safely at the upper saddle, I knew I had it in the bag, it was just a matter of grinding out the off-trail section before a relatively easy climb and descent of hurricane pass (on a trail!) and a downhill bike ride home… 

top of the couloir!  the east face of table mt is the prominent rock buttress in the background

looking west to hurricane pass on the way home

Crossing Dartmouth basin the second time was torturous due to the sounds of running water under the rocks but I was never able to find actual access to running water.  The climb out of the basin proved easier than expected.  Mid-way down the descent to cascade creek, I finally had access to water (the first in several hours) and guzzled down the cool water as if I hadn’t drank in days.  Once across the creek and back on a trail, my enthusiasm for the day continued to soar as the remaining miles were easy and I knew I was on pace to hit my goal of sub 12 hours round trip.  I ran into two moose (momma and baby) coming down from hurricane pass but otherwise just cruised down to the trailhead, hopped on my bike and hammered out the hot, dry, dusty ride home.  Although the view of the grand from my driveway was the same as always, I had a deep sense of satisfaction with what I had just done.

the grand from my driveway on a different/smoky day.  i lucked out with the clear skies i had

Stats: about 22miles and 900vert on the bike, 18mi and 9500vert on foot.  6:38 from house to summit, 11:43 round trip.  If anyone wants specific route info for accessing the grand from the west side, just holler.    

Rose: a goal fulfilled – the Grand from my house under human power 

Thorn: mental low in the Dartmouth couloir  

Bud: teton trifecta from the house?  (a low priority on the list but on the bright side, descending the west ridge of the south teton would be way easier than dropping into the Dartmouth basin and having to climb out of it again on the return to hurricane pass)