Tetons - Symmetry Spire

[Jim]

I managed to get two weeks off for a road trip with my wife and Laura planned to fly out and meet us for an attempt on the Grand Teton and Symmetry Spire. We got our permit for the Grand, planning to get up to the lower saddle and head up the upper Exum the next day - but a cold front came in and plastered the higher peaks with six inches of snow and ice. I've seen the Eiger Sanction and didn't want an epic so we hiked around some of the canyons and then went for Symmetry Spire SW ridge (5.7, seven pitches), which was just below the snow line.

 

Snow on Teewinot, Grand, Owen.

 

There were a few low elevation objective hazards to deal with:

 

 

Saw one of these guys in the Jenny Lake campground!!

 

We hopped on the 7 am shuttle across Jenny Lake and headed up the big gully, past two cliff bands where we followed the climbing ranger's advice: "The approach is easy but if you fall you'll die". So we didn't.

 

 

It's a seven pitch route but we stitched together the 4th and 5th, and probably could have done the same for the last two but it wasn't so clear from below.

 

Laura coming up pitch 3 - I was there - that's my toe!

 

Laura on the funky 4th pitch.

 

 

 

Laura on the nose pitch.

 

Laura checking out the last 100 ft or so.

 

We were watching the storm clouds rake the higher peaks all day and it was chilly. So we got on the summit block, said ok, and hustled down to the rappel station and started the long downhill tromp. Of course we missed the 6 pm boat and they had just discontinued the 7 pm boat a few days ago, so it was another 30 min to get back to camp.

 

I was a bit beat and my tweaky back was, well tweaky. So with only two days left and me needing a rest day Laura hooked up with some other friends to get up at 3 am for a one day attempt on the Grand - friggin' beast she is! They got turned back by icy conditions but got to just below Wall Street. I hiked around and took some Vitamin I with my G&T!

 

This was my first time here and I'd like to get back for the Grand and Owen. My wife and I took a northern route back through Yellowstone, which was very cool.

[wfinley]

Fun!! That's a classic route. If you traverse right when you encounter funky black rock you will find slightly harder climbing -- but better quality rock.

[ken4ord]

Also on the top you can step left I remember and there is short steep section that was super exposed, I loved it.

[Jim]

I think maybe that little corner to the left in the last picture? Ended up that I woulda had enough rope for that last lead - shouldn't have swapted! Next time.

[ken4ord]

That last picture is what reminded me of it, probably is where I went left its been such a while since I was last there. I just remember it being very airy and fun.