Grand Teton National Park

A weekend away from work was well worth the efforts and money spent. I drove from Cedar City to Salt Lake City on July 10, 2008. Friday Pitt and I drove up to Logan, UT to pick up his buddy. Then set off to the Grand Teton National Park where we met up with Pitt’s brother and camped out at a campsite not too far from the trail head where we would start our ascent to the top of the Middle Teton. Pitt, Jackson, Duke, and myself left our campsite at 5:30am and arrived at the trail head around 6am. We gathered our day packs. I drank a protein shake to boost up my strength and to wake up. The first 4 miles weren’t too bad. Just switchbacks and lots of soft dirt.

Lake Something?

Then the next two miles going up was a combination of loose rocks, big boulders, and little patches of snow. Once we got to the lip of the mountain we had to pull out our ice axes and have a quick snack. By then we were at 10,000 feet in elevation. The air is thinner, and we just naturally moved a lot slower up the mountain. Of course we rested once we got to the saddle.

Pitt and Jackson

The view was spectacular of a half frozen lake. The color of the water was such a bright see through blue with icing covering the reflections of the clear sky. What a view! The wind was chilly again at 11,000 feet so I put on my fleece pull over and start the next portion. It consisted of slipping rocks/boulders and snow packed climbing. It was hard but once we reached the top, it was well worth.

Highest Climb I’ve done thus far

    It’s when you’re away from the horns of cars, city congestion’s, and all your life’s problems, is when you see such amazing land formations. The wind blows and whispers good karma through your bones and allows you to breathe normal again. A recharge of life if one could describe it. The breathe of nature is the reminder that God is watching us and we still have something to live for.