GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING, 13,776 FT.

Achieving anything in life takes a combination of vision, preparation, and perseverance. This video is about all three in the drive to climb Grand Teton.

Grand Teton is located in Grand Teton National Park just north of Jackson Hole, WY and just south of Yellowstone National Park.  The "Grand" as it is called is 13,776 feet high, but what makes it a new and unique challenge is that access to the peak can only be granted through a technical rock climb near the top (Grade II, Class 5.4 on the Owens-Spalding Ridge route).  

Check out the Road To Grand Teton video log that documents the preparation, obstacles, travel, training, and attempts on Grand Teton at the bottom of the page. 

FIRST ATTEMPT:  AUGUST 23-24.  Amy, Isaac and I made our first attempt of Grand Teton with Exum Guide's Colby Stetson.  We went to the Lower Saddle where Exum has a hut on August 23.  Isaac got AMS when we arrived and made the decision to not continue.  His success getting to the hut at 11,500' is impressive for a 15-year old.  Amy and I set out at 4:30am for the summit.  Due to our speed, we made the decision to forgo the summit of the Grand and went to a satellite peak known as the Enclosure where a prehistoric structure exists. 

SECOND ATTEMPT:  SEPTEMBER 3.  After arriving home in Washington, DC, Amy and I discussed me heading back for another attempt before the end of the climbing season.  I went back out on September 2.  The weather forecast looked ominous and so when meeting up with Exum Guide Ben Hoiness on September 3, he suggested to go for the summit in a day.  We raced for the summit and topped out in under 6-hours.  We then decided to head back to the car.  Round trip in under 11 hours 30min.

Road to Grand Teton - Video Log

Preparing for any big endeavor in your life requires perseverance, discipline, and inspiration.  We had a number of obstacles in our preparation for this climb and I decided to share the experience of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the preparation and the climbing.   These video updates document the preparation, success, failure, and attempt at redemption.

After going back to Grand Teton a week and a half after our first attempt. I go for the summit in a race against weather with Exum Guide Ben Hoiness.

September 3 - Conclusion

Conclusion. After returning a week and a half after our first attempt.  I race for the summit against an impending storm with Exum Guide Ben Hoiness.

You will have to watch to find out, but let's just say the adventure isn't over.

September 1 - I've Got a Secret

You will have to watch the video to find out, but the adventure isn't over!

Defining success on a failed summit attempt of Grand Teton. It isn't about standing on the summit of Grand Teton. It's about trying to stand on the summit. There's a distinction. It's about family and watching a new passion grow. It's about nature.

August 23-24 Success & Failure Attempt of Grand Teton

Defining success on a failed summit attempt.  It isn't about standing on the summit.  It's about trying to stand on the summit.    

Second day of Mountaineering training with Exum Guides. Things get a whole lot more VERTICAL! Isaac and Amy crushing it once again! Radio Rock by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/

august 22 - mountaineering ii

Second day of mountaineering training with Exum Mountain Guides.  Things get a whole lot more VERTICAL!  Isaac and Amy crushing it once again!

First day of Mountaineering training with Exum Guides. Mountaineering ONE is a required course to be able to climb the Grand Teton with Exum guides. Amy and Isaac Stuart join me in the course as we are taught the basics of mountaineering training from Exum Guide Jeff Dobronyi.

August 21 - Mountaineering i

Made it to the first day of training despite our trip obstacles. Now Exum gets me ready for Grand Teton.  Amy and Isaac decide that to attempt the mountain with me.

Our trip gets derailed when United delays our flight to Chicago making us miss our connecting flight to Jackson Hole. Now we have to figure out how or if we can even get there. 9th Episode of the Road to Grand Teton - Flying Sucks.

August 20 - Flying Sucks

Our trip gets derailed when our flight gets delayed.  Now we have to figure out how or if we can even get there. 

In the last episode before getting on a plane and leaving for Wyoming, I do a recovery workout and discuss the journey to get here and the journey of being on the mountain.
Leave in two days. In the 7th episode its time to go through the packing list and make sure I have everything for Grand Teton.
Why do I climb? I actually get asked this question often. Why when it is scary or dangerous would I go do this sport. Today I answer.

august 19 - it's about the journey

We leave tomorrow!  In the 8th episode I discuss the journey to get here and the journey to come.

AUGUST 18 - PREPARATION CUBED

Leave in 2-days.  It's time to go through the packing list and pack everything needed for the climb on Grand Teton.

August 17 - WHY?

Why do I climb?  I get asked this question often.  When it is scary or dangerous why do this.  In the sixth episode I answer the question.

Fifth Episode of the Road to Grand Teton. Just grinding in my last weight vest stairs workout. Only three more days till we go.

August 16 - It's Just a Grind

In the fifth episode I do my last of many very long weight vest stair workouts.  It's very much a grind going an hour and a half on the stairs with my 30 pound vest.

Fourth Episode of the Road to Grand Teton. Today I visit Aria Medi Spa in Sterling Virginia to do CryoTherapy. If you haven't checked out CryoTherapy yet, I highly recommend checking out this video.

August 15 - CryoTherapy at Aria Medispa

In the fourth episode I visit Aria Medispa in Sterling, Virginia for a CryoTherapy session.  I get CryoTherapy once a week.

Third Episode of Road to Grand Teton. Put on the weight vest and try the shoulder out doing laps on the climbing wall.

August 14 - Fear of Falling & Failing

Third episode. Go on the climbing wall with the weight vest.  I find that I am able to accomplish the workout but not without a caveat.

Second episode of the Road to Grand Teton VLOG. Today I give my shoulder a try 3-weeks after dislocating it and with only 2-weeks left before the climb.

August 13 - Testing Strength

Second episode of the Road to Grand Teton Video Log.  Today I give my shoulder a try 3-weeks after dislocating it and with only 2-weeks left before the climb.

First Episode of the Road to Grand Teton Video Log. The VLOG is about just getting to the point of being able to climb.

August 12 - Obstacles & Self Doubt

First Episode of the Road To Grand Teton.  This is a daily update about preparing for climbing Grand Teton and the obstacles we've had to overcome just to get there.