Teewinot Summit 09/28/08 - 12,325 ft

This past weekend was our last weekend to do a big peak. We're working this weekend, and will be in Tucson next weekend for Rick and Becky's wedding. We decided on Teewinot for it's quick approach and 5,500 ass burning vertical feet. Plus the autumn foliage is breathtaking this time of year. I wanted to do a big peak for once and I've been leading up this moment all summer! After going a bit too far to the north of the pinnacles, we wrapped back around to the south and made it up to the summit in 4.5 hours. It was amazing! We limped back down the mountain to the car and settled in at Dornans for a pitcher of beer and some pizza.

Teewinot Mountain is the sixth highest peak in the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The name of the mountain is derived from the Shoshone Native American word meaning "many pinnacles". The peak is immediately northeast of the Grand Teton and the two are separated from one another by the Teton Glacier. Teewinot Mountain rises more than 5,500 feet (1,675 m) above Jenny Lake. The 40 mile (64 km) long Teton Range is the youngest mountain chain in the Rocky Mountains, and began their uplift 9 million years ago, during the Miocene. Several periods of glaciation have carved Teewinot Mountain and the other peaks of the range into their current shapes. Along with a number of other high peaks in the central Teton Range, Teewinot is part of what is known as the Cathedral Group, due to the similarity of the peaks to the spires of a cathedral.

Teewinot Mountain is most easily ascended via the eastern face, which finishes with a somewhat exposed Class 4 scramble to the tiny summit. An unmarked climbers' trail, known as the Apex Trail, leads most of the way up the mountain from the Lupine Meadows area. An ice axe, and the skill to use it, is recommended except in the late climbing season.

Brad & Mary and Jackson Peak

Brad and Mary came down to Jackson this weekend and we had the best time. We had dinner on the deck Saturday night, too much wine, and a big ass hike on Sunday up Jackson Peak (10,741 ft). I've been wanting to summit this peak for about 3 years now. Come hell or hangover - We were going to the top this time. It's a long hike to the lake where we had lunch. From there it's pretty much straight to the top via the south side of the peak. The weather was perfect - not too hot. I'm so glad B&M did this hike with us. It was another good day.

View of Jackson Peak from the north

Goodwin Lake where we stopped for lunch

Thirsty dogs found a spot of snow

Cache Peak

There's the lake where we had turkey sandwiches

Janie Came to Town

My best friend Janie came to visit me in J-Hole before she blasts back to Florida. Who knows when I'll see her again. I'm glad we've had some time to spend together this summer. I will sure miss her.

Anna, her 3.5 year-old daughter, came down as well. I thought it would be fun to take her to Hidden Falls in the Park. You have to take a boat across Jenny Lake to get there. It was a lovely day, and we scored some good parking at the parking lot making our day even better!

Anna hike the whole way. She is one determined little gal. Okay, so she did get tired towards the end, but boy, she is one good hiker...

Our hiker in action

She's the definition of: pooped

Turnips!

I'm really excited about my turnips. They're huge! Bailey is so excited too. He let me compare them to the size of his fuzzy head. The garden is doing great this year. Lots of rhubarb, tons of radishes, to much lettuce, and now my turnips. The sunflowers are getting big and the beets will be good in September. I hope my carrots do well this year. They got in a little late.

A Big Hike - Disappointment Peak

Yesterday Randy and I set out with our friends, Ray and Meg Womack and they're daughter Joy and her husband Mike, for Disappointment Peak. We hit the trail head around 9am after running into a momma moose and her calf. About a mile in we saw a bear eating some grubs out of some dead fall. It was a great wildlife day.

This hike was so great and I was psyched to being doing it with Randy. He's my mountain man and I'm glad we did this one together - along with the Womack Clan. We summited around 2pm at 11,613 ft. It was the most amazing hike I've done in a while. I loved every moment of it, especially our time together at the top.