Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Last week my sister Lindsay, my dad and I climbed this mountain. Mt. Moran. Member of the Teton Range in Grand Teton National Park. Isn't she lovely? She is. Really lovely. She's also beasty. Remember when Jan Ullrich was in riding the Tour along Lance and Paul Sherwin and Phil Ligget would call him a 'beasty of a man'? Love their commentary. Anywho, another story for another time. Moran is a beasty of a mountain.

Upon departure Tuesday morning. Nice and cool. Perfect hiking weather. In order to access Mt. Moran you must canoe across two lakes, so pretty, so serene. Such a great way to start the climb. I had the welcome realization while paddling across Leigh Lake that it often times takes getting out of our busy and noisy and congested life to realize just how busy and noisy and congested they are. Paddling across that lake was quiet as could be, only the sound of our paddles stroking through the water and our own voices when we chose to use them. It was like a deep breath.

After docking the canoe's we headed up. Literally. For about 1000 feet until we hit our campsite. While grueling, it could not have been prettier, the scenery combined with cool spring water makes any grueling approach worthwhile. My sea level lungs and legs did me proud, I felt strong and good.



The campsite was maybe the best campsite I have hiked to in the Tetons. The views of Jackson Lake and the Grand were great. We spent night eating, chatting and getting cold. I had every layer I brought on. I nearly felt like Amberly. Good freaking thing we bought those down coats last minute... Harrie and I shared a tent, and while I don't think either of us slept a wink, we were warm and cozy. And worried that the howling wind might blow us off the mountain.

We woke dark and early the next morning around 3:30AM, threw something down our throats and started hiking. The Tetons are one of the few places in the world I am happy to get up at 3:30 AM, I don't sleep anyway and I am often anxious to get going. Big news that morning...neither Harrie or I threw up breakfast. A tradition of sorts. Hot cocoa and a breakfast bar at that hour will do that to you. I actually just gagged a little in my mouth thinking about it.

The climbing that morning was so fun and so good. Really idyllic Alpine climbing. Great big hand and foot holds everywhere, great exposure and unbelievable scenery. We moved quickly and efficiently, reaching the summit around 9:30.

Summit.

Our descent was uneventful, we and my toes and Harrie's knees were definitely over it by the time we were done. It sounds backwards, but I swear going down is harder than going up. It hurts more. We welcomed a bed and a shower, another one of those things in life we take for granted until we don't have them, even if only for a night.

Such a great trip. I feel as though we need to plan another one.