|
Will Barrett
·
Jul 9, 2025
·
Unknown Hometown
· Joined Nov 2020
· Points: 15
I’m planning a climbing trip to the Tetons soon (never been to Wyoming), and I was wondering how you would characterize the “typical” climbing out there. Splitter cracks, face climbing, juggy, slopey, steep, slabby, etc…? Obviously in an area as big as the Tetons, there’s a huge amount of variety, even pitch to pitch on some longer routes, but I’m just trying to get a general idea of what to expect. Specifically, I’m looking at the Lower Exum/Full Exum and routes on Symmetry Spire. On those routes when it says follow the crack, are those lines usually splitter cracks that require lots of pure hand/foot jamming? Or are you mostly climbing holds in/around the crack feature and using the crack to place protection? An even mix of both? Sorry for such a broad question, just trying to better prepare myself. Thanks in advance!
|
|
Allen Sanderson
·
Jul 9, 2025
·
On the road to perdition
· Joined Jul 2007
· Points: 1,100
|
|
Andrew Gram
·
Jul 9, 2025
·
Salt Lake City, UT
· Joined Jan 2001
· Points: 3,725
Add snowy and icy in places, loose in others, sometimes spiced up by rockfall.
|
|
ddriver
·
Jul 9, 2025
·
SLC
· Joined Jul 2007
· Points: 2,084
The Tetons are not generally known for having a lot of continuous splitters but you will encounter some. Generally well featured rock. The routes will wander some or be broken up by ledges. 5.6. and 5.7 can be vertical or bulges. Don't underestimate route ratings or the complexity of descents. You could get lost on route or on the descent. A first timer may do both. Symmetry is a great day but it is maybe bigger than it looks from the lot.
|
|
Norm Larson
·
Jul 9, 2025
·
Wilson, Wy.
· Joined Jan 2008
· Points: 70
Route finding in the Tetons is the biggest challenge. From a distance you will see lines that look obvious but when you get closer they dissolve into a maze of choices of where to go. Experienced Teton climbers excel at deciphering the route. Don’t get to deep in the guidebook description, read the route ahead of you and know where the descent is before you go up.
|
|
Alan Rubin
·
Jul 9, 2025
·
Unknown Hometown
· Joined Apr 2015
· Points: 10
I'd recommend starting on Guides Wall, on Storm Point out of Cascade Canyon. It has an easy, straightforward approach and descent by Teton standards, route-finding is pretty straightforward ( there are several variations---even a 5.9 splitter variation near the top). No summit but a reasonable grade and good climbing. You will likely have company but still worth while and an excellent introduction to Teton rock climbs.
|
|
Nick Goldsmith
·
Jul 9, 2025
·
NEK
· Joined Aug 2009
· Points: 470
pretty sure before it was called guides wall it was called west face of storm point? and it went to the top ;) The single most important game you can have in the Tetons is fitness.... Coming from someone who lacked that virtue the last few times I was there due to injury, living at low altitude and age....
|