3 Days in the Tetons

Discussion in 'Adventure, Hiking, Backpacking and Travel' started by Hammer, Aug 2, 2018.

  1. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    Heading out tomorrow on a 3-day, 2-night backpacking trip in the southern Tetons. We are looking at a route around 25 miles, including climbing a 10,538' peak along the way.

    I'll post more when we return, but for now I thought I'd show the gear I'm planning on carrying:

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    The Kit Bag will hold a variety of items, incl. firearm, bear spray, compass, some snacks, lighter, etc.

    The only things not pictured above will be food and the clothes I'll be hiking in. Once everything is compressed, it all fits inside the Umlindi nicely. My wife will be carrying some of the "group gear" not pictured - the tent body, fuel canister, 1st aid kit.

    I realize it's a little hard to read - feel free to ask any questions.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2018
  2. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    One thing I'm playing around with on this trip is a mini gear lanyard for a few essential items I want to have easily accessible:

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    L > R: mini-compass, capsule with ibuprofen, ti whistle, Exotac Nanostriker XL, tweezers, Leatherman Squirt PS4 and a ranger band to keep it together (total weight - 4oz):

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    I really like this little setup - it addresses a number of needs in a lightweight, compact package, and I can see it becoming a mainstay on my day hikes as well.

    As for a knife, fires are not an option where we are going, so I don't need to carrying anything big enough for wood processing. I'm likely going to bring the Bradford G3 - it's light and compact. And if I'm honest, I probably don't even need that, except I'm a knife knut and I just want to have it with me...:D

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    Last edited: Aug 2, 2018
  3. artigas

    artigas Member

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    Are you travelling on a pretty well-used route? That should be awesome.

    How are you going to configure your sleep setup?
     
  4. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    Parts of the route are fairly well-used, other parts not so much, and some parts might be full-on off-trail navigating. We have a loose plan, with a few different ways we can hike out after we summit, and we're playing that part a little by ear. But the general plan is to hike out of the mountains and walk a short distance to our back door.

    For sleeping setup, my wife and I both have down quilts from Enlightened Equip, and Klymit pads. Most of time we prefer to take a simple floorless shelter, but the bugs might still be an issue where we are thinking of camping (esp. the first night) so we're opting to bring a lightweight floored tent with bug netting. It's a Mountain Hardwear 'SuperMega UL 2"
     
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  5. ThreeRidges

    ThreeRidges Member

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    Good stuff. EE quilts are a huge value, I have a 30 degree Enigma
     
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  6. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    Got it all packed up with food, 2+ liters of water, knife mounted on the waist belt and even a mini flask of whiskey, and was pleasantly surprised at the total pack weight:

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    And I definitely have some things in the pack that are non-essential. I think I could easily have a 20lb pack for this trip, but I'm not quite that obsessive about it. And besides, I'm out there to enjoy myself. The "luxuries" I'm bringing are non-negotiable.

    It's pretty cool to see that you can make an Umlindi work for more than just an overnighter. And if you expand it a bit with the M2016 butt pack on top, and something like the PALSpanel, you could extend its range even more...

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    Last edited: Aug 2, 2018
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  7. Charlie Delta

    Charlie Delta Member

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    Nice load out, looking forward to the scenery pics.
     
  8. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    General location of our route is the red rectangle in the lower left. We crossed into GTNP, but most of our route was in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness:

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    Day 1:

    Heading up Game Creek. First of many creek crossings:

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    Map check:

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    A cool little cascade along the way:

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    As we got into the upper reaches of Game Cr, it really opened up. You can see our eventual destination for the night in the distance:

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    Looking back down the drainage to where we started the morning.

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    First night's camp:

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  9. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    Day 2:

    First light from our first camp:

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    A steady climb from camp took us up to the head of Game Creek:

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    Looking back down the drainage and across the valley to the Big Hole Mtns in the distance:

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    From the head of Game Creek, it was a steep shot up to the Teton Crest:

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    At the top of the Teton Crest, we entered Grand Teton N.P:

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    After a little break, it was time to head north and climb Housetop Mtn (10,538'):

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    On the summit:

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    Looking north toward the Grand Teton from the top of Housetop. Even from 10,500' the Grand still looks huge and a lot taller:

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    to be con't.....
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2018
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  10. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    [​IMG]

    After summiting Housetop, we worked our way back down to the Teton Crest. Came across this rock with fossilized barnacles on it, 10,000' above sea level:

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    Gentian blooming in the high alpine:

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    Once we dropped back down to the crest, we started on our off-trail section of the route. This was some pretty awesome hiking through open country:

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    Looking down on our camp for night 2:

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    A delicious dinner on the rocks, watching the sun set behind the Teton Crest:

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  11. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    Day 3:

    Woke up to rain moving in, and since we were in a pretty exposed place @ 9600' we decided to break camp quickly and descend below treeline:

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    The rest of the morning was spent hiking out the gorgeous Moose Creek drainage:

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    A Muley doe that was checking us out as we came around the corner:

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    And a few hours later, we were in the parking lot, throwing packs in the back of the truck and peeling off boots - sore and smiling and already planning other trips...
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2018
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  12. Jeff Randall

    Jeff Randall ESEE Knives / Randall's Adventure & Training Staff Member

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    Awesome pics and place!
     
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  13. The Warrior

    The Warrior Member

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    Crazy cool man. Have been in that area 3 times, but never to hike.
     
  14. artigas

    artigas Member

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    Awesome report.
     
  15. DYSPHORIC JOY

    DYSPHORIC JOY Administrator Staff Member

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    Cool trip report.
     
  16. packmen21

    packmen21 Bottom Feeding Spammer

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    very cool
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  17. Bruno_GO

    Bruno_GO Member

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    I did a quick reading and thought you´re talking about Scientology...
     
  18. jdh

    jdh Member

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    Looks like an awesome trip.
     
  19. martin_j001

    martin_j001 Member

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    Awesome trip, thanks for sharing the pics. I’ve been out that way once, for my 21st birthday, and definitely hope to make it back someday. Absolutely beautiful scenery.
     
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  20. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

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    That's a great couple days.
    Beautiful area. Tetons are great summer and winter alike.
     
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