GT TR

**_Aaron_** · 03-11-2013, 03:37 PM

Edit: More photos on page 3

Had a wonderful day skiing the Grand with a few non-mag friends the other day. This was the first time skiing it for all of them and they killed it! Here's the trip report.

After a couple mishaps trying to get partners (Get that car fixed Spank!) two friends and I met in town and headed to the park in the we hours of the morning. On the drive we laughed at the fact that while we our way to go skiing while people were still stumbling out of the Tavern. We arrived at the trailhead half asleep only to find another car with a solo skier also hoping to ski the Grand. He introduced himself as Patrick from Kelly and left a couple minutes ahead of us. We caught up with him quickly and by the time we had reached the western shore of Bradley Lake our group had become a group of four.

Everything you need for a good quality adventure

Half awake, we cruised up Garnet Canyon to the meadows where we were greeted by wet slide debris covering parts of the old skintrack and firm, crusty surfaces that made for tricky skinning. Guess it was time to wake up a bit.

Halfway up the moraine 3 of the group gave up on the skin track and started bootpacking. Brian had brought his ski crampons (smart man!) and pushed the skin track to the bottom of the Tepee. We stashed skins, water, and some food at the bottom of the Tepee and headed for the Col.

We reached the col as the Sun came over the horizon, a much welcome sight indeed.

From the col we had great views to the east as well as west into Idaho. As if we needed a reminder The Grand reminded us of is size by casting a shadow over Teton Valley. It was pretty cool and not something I get to see everyday.

We hung out in the sun for awhile while we sorted gear for the climb ahead. While we took in some vitamin d one of our group (who will go unnamed

) called in sick from work. I guess this skiing the Grand qualifies as "being sick". Right?

The bottom of the Stettner was quite boney. I dont think it really sees enough sun to form good ice until later on in the year. Due to the lack of ice we soloed over a couple rock steps

to the bottom of the Chevy. Luckily the Chevy was quite the opposite of the Stettner and was full of quality ice. From the bottom we could see 3 vertical steps between 5 and 7ft tall with mixed ice and snow in between. We decided as a group to belay the first pitch and off we went.

Brian enjoying good climbing in the Chevy

Brian tackles the crux

The second half of the Chevy was quite filled in and climbed unroped to the base of the Ford. We found relatively good climbing conditions (firm) in the Ford and we were off and running.

As we neared the SE ridge, the altitude caught up with me and I slowed down and gave up the trailbreaking. the two Montucky boys took it from there to the summit while our new friend Patrick brought up the rear.

We reached the summit and took in the views.

Looking South pretty good

As did North

My sick friend and I downclimbed off the summit block a couple feet while Brian and Patrick scratched a true descent from the summit. We regrouped and Brian took the first real turns off the top.

My sick friend followed

Followed by a knee droppin' Patrick

We all regrouped on the SE ridge before dropping into the Ford proper.

Patrick skis while sick friend and I look on.

Sick Friend

3 Raps later and ~5k ft more of skiing everything from breakable crust to pow to mush we were back at the car

Hope you enjoyed!

**ate'em** · 03-11-2013, 03:46 PM

awesome

thanks for sharing

**BrianH** · 03-11-2013, 03:50 PM

Mucho gusto! It looks like you brought only three stoppers, did I miss something?

**Neuro** · 03-11-2013, 04:15 PM

Badass Aaron.

**bean** · 03-11-2013, 04:19 PM

Fuck yeah. Nice work.

**rideit** · 03-11-2013, 04:24 PM

And thank you for calling a rachel when you got back to the car.
You are a good boy.

**meter-man** · 03-11-2013, 05:20 PM

Not like "being sick" on the Grand. Well done!

**Scotsman50** · 03-11-2013, 05:24 PM

Awesome.. Congratulations.

**Foggy_Goggles** · 03-11-2013, 05:35 PM

The TR is back! Bad ass line.

**goldenboy** · 03-11-2013, 05:37 PM

Sweet! How did the snow compare to last year?

**_Aaron_** · 03-11-2013, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by BrianH

Mucho gusto! It looks like you brought only three stoppers, did I miss something?

Ya missed some. Theres a set of newish ones that are multi colored BD stoppers and a couple older ones (Thanks HMS!) in case we wanted to beef up an anchor.

**_Aaron_** · 03-11-2013, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by goldenboy

Sweet! How did the snow compare to last year?

About the same. Thinner in the Stettner, fatter in the Chevy, maybe slightly softer in the Ford.

**Core Shot** · 03-11-2013, 05:54 PM

Every time I see a grand tr I can't help think how much of a badass Bill briggs is.

**telelebowski** · 03-11-2013, 06:31 PM

Sweet TR Aaron!

**spankthepow** · 03-11-2013, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by _Aaron_

After a couple mishaps trying to get partners (Get that car fixed Spank!) two friends and I met in town and headed to the park in the we hours of the morning. On the drive we laughed at the fact that while we our way to go skiing while people were still stumbling out of the Tavern. We arrived at the trailhead half asleep only to find another car with a solo skier also hoping to ski the Grand. He introduced himself as Patrick from Kelly and left a couple minutes ahead of us. We caught up with him quickly and by the time we had reached the western shore of Bradley Lake our group had become a group of four.

Dude, still bummed/pissed I didn't make it up there to join you...Fuck work, and fuck my damn car which apparently my car has 'serious electrical issues'. I was definitely hating life today behind a desk. I'll get up there soon, but as usual...solid work.

Did Patrick from Kelly happen to be from Boulder? That might be one of my TAs from one of my classes when I was in school.

**homemadesalsa** · 03-11-2013, 07:06 PM

Nice work Aaron and team.

Glad my old stoppers got to go for a scenic walk. Great job in the perfect weather window.

**hutash** · 03-11-2013, 07:07 PM

That was suck, so yes it qualifies for calling in at work. Get his mom to right him a note.

Great TR

**TBS** · 03-11-2013, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Core Shot

Every time I see a grand tr I can't help think how much of a badass Bill briggs is.

Anybody who skis it - period - is a badass.

All the superlatives have been used Aaron so I will just say WellFuckinDone!

**The SnowShow** · 03-11-2013, 07:21 PM

Sick tr thx

**Meadow Skipper** · 03-11-2013, 07:22 PM

Kid, you're killing it with these early season Grand trips. Way to get after it. You're kind of pissing me off.

**HansJob** · 03-11-2013, 07:32 PM

"Sick." Hell yeah!

**akokskis** · 03-11-2013, 08:05 PM

Wow

Stoke of the highest quality here!

Particularly love this shot:

Originally Posted by _Aaron_

As we neared the SE ridge, the altitude caught up with me and I slowed down and gave up the trailbreaking. the two Montucky boys took it from there to the summit while our new friend Patrick brought up the rear.

**schwerty** · 03-11-2013, 08:10 PM

Thx for sharing another good 1!

**splitter** · 03-11-2013, 09:31 PM

meh.

j/k

**_Aaron_** · 03-11-2013, 09:51 PM

Thanks for all the kind words guys

Originally Posted by Core Shot

Every time I see a grand tr I can't help think how much of a badass Bill briggs is.

Im 99% sure that if I was around in 1971 I also would have told Bill that he was nuts and probably going to die.

Originally Posted by spankthepow

Dude, still bummed/pissed I didn't make it up there to join you...Fuck work, and fuck my damn car which apparently my car has 'serious electrical issues'. I was definitely hating life today behind a desk. I'll get up there soon, but as usual...solid work.

Did Patrick from Kelly happen to be from Boulder? That might be one of my TAs from one of my classes when I was in school.

Nope. Patrick from Kelly spends summers running a garden shop in NY IIRC. Well get it soon. No worries there

Originally Posted by homemadesalsa

Nice work Aaron and team.

Glad my old stoppers got to go for a scenic walk. Great job in the perfect weather window.

Thanks! You're coming with next time. Ok?