The Classic Grand Teton Climb

The goal of the training days is to ensure all climbers learn the necessary climbing concepts and skills required for an attempt on the summit of the Grand Teton. The curriculum and itinerary are set and cannot be easily altered to accommodate individual abilities, previous experience, or speed of learning.

Day 1: Level I Multi-Pitch Climbing Class
You will meet your guide for the day and head to one of our climbing areas. You will learn introductory skills and spend the day practicing what you learn on low angle multi-pitch climbs and rappels.

Day 2: Level II Multi-Pitch Climbing Class
Your second day of instruction is another all-day class at one of our climbing areas. You will use the skills you learned in day 1 to climb steeper and more difficult climbs. The day will also include an overhanging rappel. The participants will be divided randomly throughout the day for specific activities to effectively evaluate each climber’s abilities. You must complete this day successfully to qualify for the Grand Teton climb.

Day 3: Hike to the Lower Saddle
You will meet your guide for the day at our office, typically around 9:45am. After introductions and information sharing, the guide will do a gear check and your group will begin the hike to the Lower Saddle. The hike is strenuous and typically takes 5-7 hours. You will gain 5,000 ft. of elevation in approximately 7 miles. The day will include rest stops along the way, and lunch in a beautiful alpine setting. The guide will set the pace on the hike and you must be able to maintain this pace throughout the day. In the late afternoon or early evening you will reach our base camp hut at the Lower Saddle. After an early dinner, the guides will share information about the next day’s climb. Decisions regarding rope teams, the route to attempt, and whether the true summit or the Enclosure will be the goal will be made by the guide(s) based on climber abilities as demonstrated during instruction and hiking/scrambling abilities demonstrated on the hike to the lower saddle. Then it’s early to bed so you get as much rest as possible.

Day 4: Summit Attempt and Hike Down to the Valley
The alarm typically goes off at 3:00 am. After a quick breakfast, your climb will begin. The day includes approximately 2,500 ft. of hiking, scrambling and technical climbing to the summit, or a shorter and less technical climb to the Enclosure. Most groups top out around 8:00 am and weather permitting, spend some time enjoying the view and their accomplishment. Groups are typically back to the hut for lunch and a short rest before heading down to the trailhead. This is typically a 12-15 hour day and groups return to the office tired and happy!

NOTE: This is a typical itinerary, and it varies depending on group abilities, weather, and conditions on the mountain. 

Most of our climbers have never climbed prior to their first day of instruction, and by the end of the second day, most are comfortable with all of the skills necessary to attempt the Grand Teton climb. All Grand Teton climbers must successfully complete the classes, and demonstrate an appropriate level of fitness prior to the climb.

The Grand Teton climb will likely be the hardest thing you have ever done. If you arrive fit, and ready for the adventure, our guides can teach you what you need to know to attempt the climb. Your preparation and training is by far the most important thing you can do to ensure an enjoyable and successful climb. Please see our Grand Teton training page for information and suggestions to help you prepare.

Exum has guided thousands of climbers to the summit of the Grand Teton since we became a park concession in 1930. We have a remarkable success rate! We are committed to providing all climbers with an enjoyable experience and the summit is always our goal. It is important to realize though, that weather and other factors can occasionally prevent groups from reaching the top. All climbers must accept this as a given in mountaineering.

Please call the office if you have any questions regarding your preparation for the climb. Exum guides will not approve anyone to join a climb who is not capable of performing the skills necessary, or who is not fit enough to make the attempt. There are no refunds in this situation.

There are inherent risks in all climbing. All climbers must acknowledge these risks by reading and signing our Participant Agreement, Release and Assumption of Risk Form. The Participant Agreement, Release and Assumption of Risk Form is a legal document and it is important that you read the entire form, and carefully consider the risks before you sign the document. 

We use SmartWaiver to allow participants to read and sign the Participant Agreement, Release and Assumption of Risk Form electronically. We will send you an email with a link to the form at least a week before your first activity.

If you would like to read the Participant Agreement, Release and Assumption of Risk Form now, a link is below.

Participant Agreement, Release and Assumption of Risk

DATES

The 4-day Classic Grand Teton Climb is offered regularly during our summer season. Please call our office to check availability.

2026 PRICING

The 4-day Classic Grand Teton Climb – $1,490 per person
(includes Multi-Pitch I & Multi-Pitch II climbing schools, and the 2-day climb)

IMPORTANT: In the highly unlikely case that cancellations leave a single climber in the Classic program, the rate is $1690, and we may condense the training to a single day.

If you have questions, please call our office at 307-733-2297 to talk with one of our knowledgeable office staff members. We have all enjoyed climbing the Grand Teton multiple times, and we can describe the climb for you far better than we can write about it here. You can also send us questions via email through our Contact Form. 

Please review our Equipment List and Rental Gear and be sure to bring everything on the list.