hellokaze - Nov 27, 2016 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2015
Second Choice Turned Out to be an Wonderful One
This was originally grudgingly climbed as a consolation after my climbing partner abruptly pulled out of doing the Full Exum upon getting a good look at it from the Lower Saddle.
It's neither enjoyable nor safe to force someone to climb, so we packed up all the climbing and camping gear we had dragged up and descended all the way back to the parking lot. I was not happy, to say the least. Since that was my first time in the Tetons, I wasn't sure about climbing the Exum alone, but refused to fly back to Japan empty handed.
As such, the next day I did a solo climb of this OS variation, out-and-back in 13 hrs. There weren't many people out there on either the approach or the route -- maybe 10 total. The route turned out to be an amazing experience, if a bit harrowing at points because of an unusual amount of snow and ice due to a late season storm. (Later, rangers would tell me it was probably more difficult than the Upper Exum in those conditions.)
On the way down from the summit, I encountered three rangers on standard patrol. We descended to the Lower Saddle together, sharing my rope on the raps. They were great company and a lot of fun. Afterward they invited me to their tent, where we enjoyed instant ramen and cookies.
Although climbing the Exum remains a big dream of mine, the hiccup with my partner led to one of best outdoors experiences I've had.
aedwards - Sep 14, 2015 9:31 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2015
In a day
Cold and windy up high. Led all pitches.
Snow and ice in the chimneys.
patascent - Aug 30, 2010 6:47 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2007
Girl's day
Fun day trip climbing with Julie. Lots of ice in the chimneys made the lead a little harder than expected...super fun though.
SKI - Jul 20, 2010 8:11 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
Classy Peak
Soloed the peak using this variation as the standard was extremely wet. Poor Paul-Wall took a rock to the chest attempting the Lower Exum and had to sit this one out.
ScottyP - Dec 18, 2009 4:08 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2006
Climbed this after deciding the clouds weren't good enough to attempt upper exum. Some ice but lots of fun.
TetonJimmy - Aug 10, 2008 6:37 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2006
Wittich Crack Var
Awesome day. 6 person party, car to car in 12.5 hours. We moved very fast on the ascent, reaching the lower saddle in 3 hours.
JonW - Oct 29, 2007 4:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2006
fun route
This is a great route and provides a great feeling of accomplishment when done in a single day from Lupine Meadows. We brought a single 60m rope and could never find the alternative rap point. We hooked up with a soloist also carrying a 60 to make the rap in one shot. The rappel can get really backed up, especially with weather moving in.
mrwsierra - Jun 1, 2007 5:14 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2002
wonderful day
Climbed this variation to the summit of the Grand a few years ago. One of my favorite summit days ever - sunny and warm on the top. Was quite chilly in the early morning.
seth@LOKI - Aug 17, 2006 6:14 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 1996
Ultra classic!
The Exum is perhaps a bit more intriguing, but this climb is a classic and keeps you thinking on the way down if you don't repel (which also requires thinking. I recall giving up looking for the anchors and descending Owen's the first time. I'm not sure which is best?
hellokaze - Nov 27, 2016 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2015
Second Choice Turned Out to be an Wonderful OneThis was originally grudgingly climbed as a consolation after my climbing partner abruptly pulled out of doing the Full Exum upon getting a good look at it from the Lower Saddle.
It's neither enjoyable nor safe to force someone to climb, so we packed up all the climbing and camping gear we had dragged up and descended all the way back to the parking lot. I was not happy, to say the least. Since that was my first time in the Tetons, I wasn't sure about climbing the Exum alone, but refused to fly back to Japan empty handed.
As such, the next day I did a solo climb of this OS variation, out-and-back in 13 hrs. There weren't many people out there on either the approach or the route -- maybe 10 total. The route turned out to be an amazing experience, if a bit harrowing at points because of an unusual amount of snow and ice due to a late season storm. (Later, rangers would tell me it was probably more difficult than the Upper Exum in those conditions.)
On the way down from the summit, I encountered three rangers on standard patrol. We descended to the Lower Saddle together, sharing my rope on the raps. They were great company and a lot of fun. Afterward they invited me to their tent, where we enjoyed instant ramen and cookies.
Although climbing the Exum remains a big dream of mine, the hiccup with my partner led to one of best outdoors experiences I've had.
WyomingSummits - Aug 6, 2016 10:59 pm
Enjoyable variationI like this more than the catwalk.
aedwards - Sep 14, 2015 9:31 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2015
In a dayCold and windy up high. Led all pitches.
Snow and ice in the chimneys.
patascent - Aug 30, 2010 6:47 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2007
Girl's dayFun day trip climbing with Julie. Lots of ice in the chimneys made the lead a little harder than expected...super fun though.
SKI - Jul 20, 2010 8:11 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
Classy PeakSoloed the peak using this variation as the standard was extremely wet. Poor Paul-Wall took a rock to the chest attempting the Lower Exum and had to sit this one out.
ScottyP - Dec 18, 2009 4:08 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2006
Great TripGreat route
davebobk47 - Jul 31, 2009 3:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2009
AwsomeClimbed this after deciding the clouds weren't good enough to attempt upper exum. Some ice but lots of fun.
TetonJimmy - Aug 10, 2008 6:37 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2006
Wittich Crack VarAwesome day. 6 person party, car to car in 12.5 hours. We moved very fast on the ascent, reaching the lower saddle in 3 hours.
JonW - Oct 29, 2007 4:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2006
fun routeThis is a great route and provides a great feeling of accomplishment when done in a single day from Lupine Meadows. We brought a single 60m rope and could never find the alternative rap point. We hooked up with a soloist also carrying a 60 to make the rap in one shot. The rappel can get really backed up, especially with weather moving in.
mrwsierra - Jun 1, 2007 5:14 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2002
wonderful dayClimbed this variation to the summit of the Grand a few years ago. One of my favorite summit days ever - sunny and warm on the top. Was quite chilly in the early morning.
seth@LOKI - Aug 17, 2006 6:14 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 1996
Ultra classic!The Exum is perhaps a bit more intriguing, but this climb is a classic and keeps you thinking on the way down if you don't repel (which also requires thinking. I recall giving up looking for the anchors and descending Owen's the first time. I'm not sure which is best?