Had a wonderful day skiing the Grand with a few friends the other day. This was the first time skiing it for all of them and they killed it! Here's the trip report Aaron wrote up.
After a couple mishaps trying to get partners (Get that car fixed Spank!) two friends and I met in town and headed to the park in the we hours of the morning. On the drive we laughed at the fact that while we our way to go skiing while people were still stumbling out of the Tavern. We arrived at the trail head half asleep only to find another car with a solo skier also hoping to ski the Grand. He introduced himself as Patrick from Kelly and left a couple minutes ahead of us. We caught up with him quickly and by the time we had reached the western shore of Bradley Lake our group had become a group of four.
Everything you need for a good quality adventure
Half awake, we cruised up Garnet Canyon to the meadows where we were greeted by wet slide debris covering parts of the old skin trail and firm, crusty surfaces that made for tricky skinning. Guess it was time to wake up a bit.
Halfway up the moraine 3 of the group gave up on the skin track and started bootpacking. Brian had brought his ski crampons (smart man!) and pushed the skin track to the bottom of the Tepee. We stashed skins, water, and some food at the bottom of the Tepee and headed for the Col.
We reached the col as the Sun came over the horizon, a much welcome sight indeed.
From the col we had great views to the east as well as west into Idaho. As if we needed a reminder The Grand reminded us of is size by casting a shadow over Teton Valley. It was pretty cool and not something I get to see everyday.
We hung out in the sun for awhile while we sorted gear for the climb ahead. While we took in some vitamin d one of our group (who will go unnamed
) called in sick from work. I guess this skiing the Grand qualifies as "being sick". Right?The bottom of the Stettner was quite boney. I dont think it really sees enough sun to form good ice until later on in the year. Due to the lack of ice we soloed over a couple rock steps
to the bottom of the Chevy. Luckily the Chevy was quite the opposite of
the Stettner and was full of quality ice. From the bottom we could see 3
vertical steps between 5 and 7ft tall with mixed ice and snow in
between. We decided as a group to belay the first pitch and off we went.Brian enjoying good climbing in the Chevy
Brian tackles the crux
The second half of the Chevy was quite filled in and climbed unroped to the base of the Ford. We found relatively good climbing conditions (firm) in the Ford and we were off and running.
As we neared the SE ridge, the altitude caught up with me and I slowed down and gave up the trailbreaking. the two Montana boys took it from there to the summit while our new friend Patrick brought up the rear.
We reached the summit and took in the views.
South looking pretty good as did North.
My sick friend and I down climbed off the summit block a couple feet while Brian and Patrick scratched a true descent from the summit.
We all regrouped on the SE ridge before dropping into the Ford proper.
Patrick and friend ready to enter Ford Couloir.
3 Raps later and ~5k ft more of skiing everything from breakable crust to pow to mush we were back at the car
Hope you enjoyed!
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