The Grand Traverse is an amazing way to experience the Tetons. This extreme adventure requires respect. It is long, technical, and committing. You will need to be in excellent physical condition, and have an extensive experience in 4th and low 5th class exposed terrain. Good balance and metal toughness are important too. All these things together make completing the Grand Traverse a very proud feather in your hat. Contact me today to talk details.

This traverse covers 12 peaks, 13,400 feet of climbing, over 15.9 linear miles. The crux is a moderate 5.7, yet the exposure, pack weight and sheer distance makes the climb physically demanding.  Give this objective its due respect. Train hard for months prior to your start date.

Gear

Clothing

Group Gear

Socks - 2 Pair Fox River hiking or ski socks

Approach Shoes - 5.10 Guide Tennie / Arcteryx Konseal FL Gore-Tex

Softshell Climbing Pants - Arc'Teryx Gamma AR Pant

GoreTex Pants - Arc'Teryx Alpha SL Pant

Wool Short Sleeve T-Shirt - Arc'Teryx A2B (1)

Wool Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Arc' Sataro (1)

Windbreaker Jacket - Arc' Squamish Hoody 

Puffy Jacket - Arc' Nuceli AR Jacket

GoreTex Jacket - Arc' Alpha FL Jacket

Spring Gloves - Arc' Alpha SL Gloves

Buff - original full buff

Sunglasses - Kaenon Hard Kore

Sunscreen - Colorescience Sunforgettable 50 SPF

Chapstick - with 15-30 SPF, Shaka Laka brand is my favorite

Backpack - 45L ArcTeryx Alpha

Crampons - CAMP Tour Nanotech strap on

Ice Axe - CAMP Corsa 

2 Locking Carabiners - CAMP Photon Lock

2 Non-locking Carabiners - Camp Nano 22

Double Length Sling - Camp 120cm (48") Dyneema Runner

Belay Device - Petzl Reverso 4

Helmet - CAMP Storm  

Harness - Arc AR-395A

Crack Climbing Gloves - Ocun (size up, they run small)

Headlamp - Petzl Bindi tiny headlamp

Sleeping Pad - ThermaRest NeoAir XLite

Sleeping Bag - Feathered Friends Lark 10°F

Toiletries 

Water bottles - (2) 32 oz Gatorade Bottles

Smartphone w/ Gaia GPS and beta photos

Camera - Sony RX100 Mark IV

45m Sterling Nano IX Rope

45m 5.4mm Sterling V-TX Tagline

6 Black Diamond Cams (.3 - 2)

4 Stoppers

4 Alpine Draws

Black Diamond Firstlight Tent

MSR Reactor Stove / Fuel / Lighter

Bowl / Spoon

First Aid Kit

Garmin inReach mini

Goal Zero Switch 20 Battery

TP/Handsani/Tooth-stuff

Food

Breakfast - 2 Packs instant oatmeal with protein powder or nuts/berrys and a poptart

Lunch - (8) 200 calorie snacks. Snickers, string cheese, gels, honey stinger protein bars, nuts, figs

Dinner - Instant mashed potatoes, tasty bites, summer sausage

Drink mixes - Starbucks Via coffee, hot cocoa, Nuun Tablets, crystal light or Scratch Labs

This beta can be used to help you succeed on the Teton Grand Traverse. It will be help you understand the scale of the objective so you can properly train and mentally prepare. It was created to give you the best possible chance of success on your first try if the weather stays nice. It is for those people who choose to hire me as their guide.

I have created 15 beta images that can be downloaded to your photo for reference while on route. This is not open source info as it requires a high skill level to understand and follow.

I have also created a detailed GPX file on Google Earth. This file can be uploaded to your smartphone GPS app or stand alone GPS device. Gaia GPS is an amazing $20 smartphone app. It has replaced my Garmin device 100%. You can have this file with us on the Traverse, as its good to have a backup. I will also teach you how to use this tool while we climb, its advantages and limitations. 

Helpful Resources:

Weather at 11,600'

Rolo's Beta page (very helpful for your second attempt)

Teton Rock Climbs by Aaron Gams

A Climber's Guide to the TetonRange

Jenny Lake Ranger Station: 307.739.3343

Exum Mountain Guides: 307.733.2297

Sign up today to do the Grand Traverse or Cathedral Traverse with me. The NPS limits the number of user days for this objective, and every year they sell out. Contact me, or the Exum Mtn Guide office, to reserve your trip.