The ragged Teton range springs unbelievably
far into the Western sky. It's no wonder that the Mountain Men
favored the Teton area for their annual rendezvous. Topping out
at nearly 14,000 feet, the Tetons are a true alpinist's playground.
There aren't many areas in the US which have the combination of
features to justify a European-style resident Guide Service, but
the Tetons has the famous Exum Guide Service, as well as
the concession run by the American Alpine Club called Grand Teton
Climber's Ranch...Pre-World War II, famous climber Paul Petzoldt
led the newly-married Roy Holubar
up the Grand Teton, and during the Post World War II period, many
famous climbers hung out in the Tetons, among them Yvon
Chouinard (catalog cover= "Paul Petzoldt Wilerness
Equipment, Summer 1975")
In the big image, we're looking south, up Death Canyon, with Death Canyon Shelf on the right. A trail from Heaven itself winds along this shelf, you wade through wildflowers and listen to Marmots and pikas as you dream along in your lazy walk. Far below, if the wind is just right and you pause to listen, you can hear the wild creek far below in the canyon. The quiet is sublime, but, look, into the sky above, and be well aware of big thunderheads developing. By late afternoon this exposed shelf could get excitingly dangerous! In the picture below, I am basking atop Symmetry Spire, looking across Cascade Canyon at the Grand Teton towering more than 3,000 ft. higher than I am. This is an old picture, look at the Goldline rope under my head!