Grand Traverse

jmeizis wrote: So a couple years ago I had intended to do it and was doing great...until we ran into a party of 4 with packs and tents and all that. Being the polite guiding type we waited...and waited...for FOUR HOURS. At which point we knew we'd have to bail on the traverse. So my advice is if they're prepared to be out overnight then let them play that game but take no prisoners. I didn't find the route finding that hard. Hadn't ever climbed Teewinot and did it entirely in the dark. Can't speak to the second half...grr. Approach shoes are your friend. 

Where were you that you could not pass? Seams like anywhere on the Traverse you can pass another party fairly easy yet without too much concern for loose rock. Most people do the whole thing in approach shoes. I have typically brought one pair of rock shoes for the two of us (we are about the same size) for the Italian cracks. 

Wow....Jock...wonder what year that was?  

Over the years, there was a lot of talented and fast climbers who worked for Exum and JHMG.  Makes me wonder if Phil has done it.  70's, 80's, 90's.

Greg posted in this thread...wonder what his best time is...(speaking of talented and fast...ha ha).

following. 

Updated list with all the folks that are "confirmed" (either self-claimed, I could find something online, corroborated by more than one poster, or someone "definitely" knew of an ascent):

1. Rolando Garibotti
2. Nick Elson (FKT)
3. Kyle Dempster
4. Alex Lowe
5. Gee Dub
6. Derek DeBruin
7. Charlie Firer
8. Herman Watson
9. Allen Steck (FA, S to N)
10. Dick Long (FA, S to N)
11. John Evans (FA, S to N)
12. Brian Harder
13. Ben Kiessel
14. Matt (Ben's partner)
15. Mark Smiley
16. Janelle Smiley
17. Jack Tackle
18. Peter Croft
19. Kim Csizmazia
20. Julia Niles
21. Dave Anderson
22. Jimmy Chin
23. Stephen Koch
24. Bruce Miller
25. Alan Lester
26. Tom Hargis
27. Inge Perkins
28. Jared Campbell
29. Jock Glidden
30. Hayden Kennedy

Here's the maybes (sorry, I'm not cool enough to know all these people's last names):
Hans Johnstone
Mark Newcombe
Greg Collins
Dan Corn
Zahan Billamoria
Jeff Witt
Fabby
Phil
Renny Jackson

Also: is "Gee Dub" Greg Collins?

Ty Falk wrote:

Where were you that you could not pass? Seams like anywhere on the Traverse you can pass another party fairly easy yet without too much concern for loose rock. Most people do the whole thing in approach shoes. I have typically brought one pair of rock shoes for the two of us (we are about the same size) for the Italian cracks. 

It was in the middle of the N. Ridge. I hadn't been on that part of the Grand and if I knew the available options better I would of used them. We should of just passed them. It would of taken us 15 minutes tops. When we did finally see an escape near the top they huffed and puffed to try and keep up. Like Denver traffic...haha.

^haha ya for sure

@BillS: I also imagine it's a pretty large number (see upthread), but the prevailing opinion on this thread is that it's not. Only way I imagined getting any closer to knowing was making a list. If you've got folks to add, by all means. Or we can just leave a weird list here and call it good.

I personally know around a dozen people who have done it, it's not really a super objective that merits list-keeping, but carry on.

Keenan Waeschle wrote: I personally know around a dozen people who have done it, it's not really a super objective that merits list-keeping, but carry on.

It definitely is popular.  3 or 4 years ago when we tried it there were 3-4 other parties on it (that we ran into).    That said, it's not trivial and it's still a worthy objective.  The fact that you don't need to be rockstar climber to complete doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

Hey all,

Some really good info here and I agree with all of the above.  I made some of my gear notes from last summers outing that Rock & Ice just posted:
https://rockandice.com/gear/gear-for-adventure-the-grand-traverse-the-tetons/?fbclid=IwAR0bBt5KkZr9ILGtTqznriJkVcMrJTioBNluE1bh4plYMrZoGB0lc8jS0UA

TLDR:

• Be comfortable in the terrain.
• Mark Smileys Beta was incredibly helpful. So it Rolo's but I think that's a well known piece of info.
• Don't underestimate the back-9.  We moved through the Cathedral Traverse pretty quickly, but made some major route finding errors on Middle, South, and Ice Cream Cone really costing us the IAD push.
• I don't think you need to be able to solo 5.10 (but if you're fit you can move quickly and carry gear for added security).
• ROUTE FINDING IS KEY.

23 hours 59 mins car to car with Cam Paul.  Just barely beat 24 hours . We didn’t run at all . Lots of loose terrain. Going to nez prece was the crux as we were toast .