So, I meant to start a ski journal this past winter to keep track of how many days I skied, where I skied, what the snow was like, avalanche activity, etc. Well, I never got around to that so I'm starting a journal now. It'll be more of a personal record of stuff I've done but check it out every now and then if you like.

   I'll start be recapping my last week until today, Thursday, July 19. Exactly one week ago on Thursday, July 12, my climbing partner Bill Truelove and myself got to the Lupine Meadows trailhead at 11:20pm with our sights set on the Owen-Spalding route of the Grand Teton. In the parking lot, a guy pulled up and asked us if we were "the Cathedral group." We responded that we were not, to which he again asked if we were missing a climber. Again, we said that were not and inquired if there was someone missing. "Eh, maybe"was his response.

 After deciding not to try the Upper Exum ridge due to a chance of afternoon thunderstorms on Friday, we opted for faster, easier Owen-Spalding route. We were at the Lower Saddle at around 4am, and on top the Grand for sunrise at 6am. On the way down we bumped into two Jenny Lake climbing rangers climbing towards the Upper Saddle. We chatted with them and learned that there was indeed a missing climber. They were headed to the north side of the Grand to continue searching for him.

  Shortly after reaching the Lower Saddle we saw a helicopter fly around the south side of the mountain and loop back to the North....not a good sign. The rest of the hike down the mountain was uneventful, besides me finding my pants that I had someone lost on the hike up, and we were back at the truck by noon on Friday. Tired and thirsty, my inner redneck was itching to get out. Tailgate down and my shirt tossed on the ground, I cracked an ice cold Lagunitas IPA and drank beer in the parking lot like only a true Southerner can. Grand Teton car to car in 12 hours. Only 9 hours slower than the record!

 The next morning I learned that the body of the missing climber had been found below the East Prong on the ridge between Teewinot and Mount Owen. Article here.

  The rest of the week went as follows:

 Saturday: bike ride up Redmond trail to Hagen to Putt-Putt, then back to the house. Work.
 Sunday: bike ride up Ferrins trail then back down, with Stuart. Work.
 Monday: hike up to Rock Springs with Max to climb Guide's Route. A really good 2 pitch 5.8 climb.
                Hike down. Work.
 Tuesday: Bike up Phillip's Ridge into Phillip's Canyon, with Devin. I somehow got ahead of Devin,        
                 missed a turn and ended up riding around the pass for an extra hour before figuring out
                 where to go.  Made it out just in time for work.
  Wednesday: Much needed rest day. Getting stuff together for Mount Moran.

   Today (Thursday July 19) Bill, Katie and myself are loading up the canoe and headed across Leigh and String Lakes to attempt the CMC Route on Mount Moran. My coffee cup is empty and I'm running late, so I'll check back in when we (hopefully) get back from a successful trip.

-B.Y.