Middle Teton
Erin Corbett and Jess McMillan - Summit of the Middle Teton
It seems to be a theme. Every time a birthday rolls around, I find myself on the summit of a peak in the Tetons. I absolutely love it! Erin Corbett was hoping to climb the Grand for her birthday, but due to conditions the Middle Teton seemed like a better choice.
Summer started late in Jackson Hole and the mountains were stilled caked with snow by the time Erin’s birthday arrived. The Middle Teton gets a bad rap. The rumor on the street is that it a really easy mountain to climb and should be reserved for hiking with your grandma. Well my grandma is pretty incredible, but I’m not sure she would’ve made it to the summit. No offense Grandma.
Ten More Steps to the Summit
The Middle can be considered a day hike, a really long day hike. Typically, I climb it in my running shoes and day pack. This time we decided to bring crampons, ice-axes, and a short rope just in case. We used everything, but the rope. Had we not brought crampons and an axe, we would not have made it to the summit.
Ready to go! Crampons, axe, and rope!
The meadows looked nothing like the meadows, filled to the brim with snow.
Entering the Meadows - No Wild Flowers Here
The climb to saddle was quick with the extra snow, but the south west couloir was a little spicy. The snow was extremely hard and definitely caught our attention.
Erin Corbett Kicking in Steps Up the South West Couloir
It was all worth it for Erin Corbett. There is nothing like eating your birthday cake on top of a 12,804ft tall peak.
No Knife, No Problem!
