7000' vertical of black rock as seen from the American Alpine Club Climbers ranch.  The Grand got my attention as we arrived the afternoon before our climb 

7000' vertical of black rock as seen from the American Alpine Club Climbers ranch.  The Grand got my attention as we arrived the afternoon before our climb 

Bill Briggs skied from the summit of the Grand in 1971 with archaic gear and a fused hip.  The snowfield he skied is barely visible from just left of the summit.  

Bill Briggs skied from the summit of the Grand in 1971 with archaic gear and a fused hip.  The snowfield he skied is barely visible from just left of the summit.  

The eating area at the AAC Climbers Ranch.  What a classic place.  The vibe among the other climbers was chill, positive and wonderful.  

The eating area at the AAC Climbers Ranch.  What a classic place.  The vibe among the other climbers was chill, positive and wonderful.  

Our cabin for the night

Our cabin for the night

Wendy and Bob,  the newbies on this trip.  Having fun before the big day. 

Wendy and Bob,  the newbies on this trip.  Having fun before the big day. 

Wendy and Bob bringing up the rear.  Good rope management was vital as we remained roped together while connecting flat walking sections with vertical technical sections of the Wittich Crack route.  

Wendy and Bob bringing up the rear.  Good rope management was vital as we remained roped together while connecting flat walking sections with vertical technical sections of the Wittich Crack route.  

My wife Wendy was super confident, fit and truly my best adventure companion bar none.  She is a gentle soul with a fire in her belly that she ignites on command.  I love this woman!

My wife Wendy was super confident, fit and truly my best adventure companion bar none.  She is a gentle soul with a fire in her belly that she ignites on command.  I love this woman!

Joel, Wendy, Bob and Mark on the trail early morning on day 1.  Only 5500' more vertical today. 

Joel, Wendy, Bob and Mark on the trail early morning on day 1.  Only 5500' more vertical today. 

A bit of lunch as it started to sprinkle high up on the trail

A bit of lunch as it started to sprinkle high up on the trail

Classic Jackson

Classic Jackson

IMG_0373.JPG
Simple, rugged and effective

Simple, rugged and effective

Mark and Joel scoping the line from the upper saddle to the summit.  We made a course correction in the moment due to the presence of ice and flowing water in our initially chosen route. 

Mark and Joel scoping the line from the upper saddle to the summit.  We made a course correction in the moment due to the presence of ice and flowing water in our initially chosen route. 

Mark rapping in style.  

Mark rapping in style.  

A shaft of sunlight streaked across the lower saddle.  We all jumped into it to snap pics.  Joel and Mark eerily illuminated with the shadow of the Grand and Middle Teton in the valley below.  

A shaft of sunlight streaked across the lower saddle.  We all jumped into it to snap pics.  Joel and Mark eerily illuminated with the shadow of the Grand and Middle Teton in the valley below.  

Reach for the sky pilgrims, and hand over your toilet paper

Reach for the sky pilgrims, and hand over your toilet paper

Mark in the kitchen heating water for tea, hot chocolate, soup, ramen and whatever.  Simple but effective mountain liv'n.

Mark in the kitchen heating water for tea, hot chocolate, soup, ramen and whatever.  Simple but effective mountain liv'n.

At the summit of the Grand, a very airy place, I found myself relating more to the sky than to the earth. 

At the summit of the Grand, a very airy place, I found myself relating more to the sky than to the earth. 

Joel on the summit stoked

Joel on the summit stoked

Bob on rappel about to touch down on the upper saddle. 

Bob on rappel about to touch down on the upper saddle. 

Getting ready for departure along with another party.  Not much real estate at the summit. 

Getting ready for departure along with another party.  Not much real estate at the summit. 

Wendy ascends the fixed ropes during the first leg of the climb

Wendy ascends the fixed ropes during the first leg of the climb

Gut check here at the belay station on the Owen Spaulding Route.  Take a few steps and then your airborne until the drop to the deck 120' below.  Super cool!  Joel steps into the abyss with resolve.  

Gut check here at the belay station on the Owen Spaulding Route.  Take a few steps and then your airborne until the drop to the deck 120' below.  Super cool!  Joel steps into the abyss with resolve.  

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7000' vertical of black rock as seen from the American Alpine Club Climbers ranch.  The Grand got my attention as we arrived the afternoon before our climb 
Bill Briggs skied from the summit of the Grand in 1971 with archaic gear and a fused hip.  The snowfield he skied is barely visible from just left of the summit.  
The eating area at the AAC Climbers Ranch.  What a classic place.  The vibe among the other climbers was chill, positive and wonderful.  
Our cabin for the night
Wendy and Bob,  the newbies on this trip.  Having fun before the big day. 
Wendy and Bob bringing up the rear.  Good rope management was vital as we remained roped together while connecting flat walking sections with vertical technical sections of the Wittich Crack route.  
My wife Wendy was super confident, fit and truly my best adventure companion bar none.  She is a gentle soul with a fire in her belly that she ignites on command.  I love this woman!
Joel, Wendy, Bob and Mark on the trail early morning on day 1.  Only 5500' more vertical today. 
A bit of lunch as it started to sprinkle high up on the trail
Classic Jackson
IMG_0373.JPG
Simple, rugged and effective
Mark and Joel scoping the line from the upper saddle to the summit.  We made a course correction in the moment due to the presence of ice and flowing water in our initially chosen route. 
Mark rapping in style.  
A shaft of sunlight streaked across the lower saddle.  We all jumped into it to snap pics.  Joel and Mark eerily illuminated with the shadow of the Grand and Middle Teton in the valley below.  
Reach for the sky pilgrims, and hand over your toilet paper
Mark in the kitchen heating water for tea, hot chocolate, soup, ramen and whatever.  Simple but effective mountain liv'n.
At the summit of the Grand, a very airy place, I found myself relating more to the sky than to the earth. 
Joel on the summit stoked
Bob on rappel about to touch down on the upper saddle. 
Getting ready for departure along with another party.  Not much real estate at the summit. 
Wendy ascends the fixed ropes during the first leg of the climb
Gut check here at the belay station on the Owen Spaulding Route.  Take a few steps and then your airborne until the drop to the deck 120' below.  Super cool!  Joel steps into the abyss with resolve.