Teewinot Mountain // The Best View in the Tetons

Went into this hike not knowing what to expect. Wasn’t even planning on turning the climbing of Teewinot into an episode. But the mountain and trail just became more spectacular as we ascended. By the summit I was glad I had hit record. Teewinot Mountain provides one of the best summit views in Grand Teton National Park. I’ve stared up at it’s summit from Lupine Meadows numerous times and I’m glad I finally got around to climbing it. It’s a quad buster for sure but the trail quickly becomes a challenging scramble that helps you forget the fire in your legs.

[starchildo]

I did Tewwinot in ‘91 with 3 other friends, Jeff, Kevin, and Paulgene. We reached the summit late afternoon and by then were on a tight schedule to make it back to our base camp before dark. So like the 19 year old geniuses we were, decided to descend down the back side as we thought it might be a bit easier. It was my turn to carry the army duffle bag full of our climbing equipment and jackets. We descended in pairs, not that this was necessarily our plan, but I ended up getting seperated from my buddy, Paulgene, and out earshot. When I reached a fairly short but vertical traverse with manyhundreds of feet of exposure, I panicked. I shouted for help but got no answer. I looked everywhere for another possible route but was unable to find one. So After what seemed like an hour of deliberation I decided to abandon the equipment as I felt it would be impossible to make the climb with the added weight of it. Frazzled now I finally mustered enough courage to make the traverse, but It probably took me another hour on the other side to find the others who by then had come back to search for me. The sun was down, everyone was on edge, which is to say emotions were high, but we hardly spoke. By the time We reached what seemed like an infinite glacier it was dark except for moonlight, and we blindly slid down the ice on our Themarests using our heels to self arrest. Eventually we were funnelled into a sort of shallow ravine and were left with no other option but to climb out of it. We had to climb down first and then back up. The other 3 of us were in shock and by now rendered useless, but Jeff took the lead. I remember him going up this face with a plastic flashlight in his mouth And me thinking, there is no way we are going to make this. It was Completely dark and this was by far the most technical climb of the entire day! Then Paulgene fell. Kevin was the only one of us to witness this and he later told me that he had watched Paulgene free fall for at least 20 feet before landing on some rocks below. His knee had been gashed open and blood soaked his pant leg all the way down to his boots. Still almost nobody including Paulgene uttered a word. I can’t even remember climbing out but we somehow managed to, and found a tiny ledge on the side of a cliff where a scrubby pine tree grew. We needed rest so we huddled together in mass to keep warm. We broke off some of the lower branches of the scrubby tree and got a little fire going. It was a clear summer night but without our jackets it was very very cold, and though the fire provided us with hope is wasn’t much in the way of heat. The 4 of us sleeplessly watched the moon arc from one side of the horizon to the other while our teeth chattered. When Sunrise came it was welcome but it revealed yet another treacherous climb on the side of a rounded series of boulderers with hardly any handholds in which a fall would’ve resulted in certain death; But somehow we did it. And probably not much more than 6 hours later we were off the mountain and eating hamburgers at a diner in Jackson, Paulgene’s treat (as he was the only one of us who had any money!)

[MusicBent]

Danny: Can I climb it?
Stranger: Yes
Danny: That’s enough beta, let’s go!

[sammyhager]

This channel has helped me to believe in myself again. I've lost 40 pounds so far and have started to climb peaks and rock climb regularly! Thank you, seriously.

[MKxpl]

those fruit snacks are the bomb, i bring like three of them on every hike, cheap aand delicious

[jwhoward]

No greater friend exists than one who will give you his boots that are causing him blisters in exchange for your boots that are working just fine on you.

[fireismyname]

I hiked and climbed Dissapointment Peak, which is right next to Teewinot, and I can definitely confirm the view was amazing. At 1 point there were 6 lakes visible from where I was, and they had such a variety of colors. After a nice 12 miles of hiking and a couple hours of 5.6-8 climbing, as well as some buttsliding down snow, I was greeted by a fox that walked about 10 feet away from me. There was also an elk and many marmots throughout the hike. Great park that never dissapoints!

[manfredseidler]

Every time I see you guys post another adventure, I thank God for your safety.

[gregpirtle]

Mediocre video release day is always a good day...

[davidfantle]

Nicely done and filmed! This one brings back some potent memories for me. It was the first actual mountain that I climbed at age 17 in 1976, after a couple of years of single pitch crag climbing. A friend and I drove out from the Midwest, borrowed some gear (couldn't afford any yet) from a group of climbers at Jenny Lake campground, and headed up without much idea as to a route. Got lost traversing the summit ridge, caught by darkness on descent, headlamps burned out on technical ground, then chased by a bear while bushwacking through miles of blowdown trees in the dark. Finally made it back to camp at 0300, thrilled to have survived. I can't believe I kept doing it after that first intro to mountaineering. Looks like you had an awesome day up there.

[marwin]

Mediocre Amateurs: "A little bit challenging"
Me: I could probably do that.
Narrator: He could probably not.

[chazbickel]

Cool mountain. The plummet from a summit view turned my stomach over.

[NelsonDellis]

Your videos are always a pleasure to watch. Keep 'em coming!

[bryanitz]

Pop Tarts and fruit snacks?!? Is my granddaughter there in the background somewhere? Epic climb in one of the most beautiful mountain ranges anywhere!

[isaacsmith]

Stumbled upon this channel. Some of the best hiking/climbing content around. Cheers boys

[TheSavacc]

Favorite channel. Love waking up to this surprise. I always need a little inspiration...especially these days !!!!

[sirmongrel]

It is so funny how Christophe gets ragged on but when he's on camera dudes cheery and knockin out every challenge.

[Frettingfret]

You guys have inspired me, I have the deepest passion for hiking, and mountain biking, but I have never done such extreme climbs as you guys. I didnt even know trails looked like this. I want to experience all of these places, and I can watch all of then through you guys !:)

[justinbayola]

Thank you for this, I really needed a mediocre vid today. Thank you so much for all the adventures you bring us on.

[Saint_Studios]

Had a really rough day today. Your video put a smile on my face. :) Keep being awesome!

[larsthorwald]

Damn, what a gorgeous scramble! Gotta get over there. Thanks.