The Exum Grand Teton Climb

Days 1 and 2 (for the 4 day program) or Day 1 (for the 3-day program) – Instruction Day(s)

Days of Instruction are active outside training days. You will be at one of our climbing areas and you will learn the necessary skills to attempt the Grand Teton climb. These skills include knots, bouldering, equipment use, technical climbing skills and rappelling. The guide(s) will move through the instruction according to your party’s experience and how quickly the skills are learned. The remainder of the day(s) will be spent applying the skills learned while doing climbs and rappels with increasing difficulty. Instruction days are typically 6-7 hours long. All climbers must successfully complete the day(s) of instruction in order to attempt the Grand Teton climb and the route chosen for the climb will depend on the party’s abilities.

Day 3 (Day 2 for the 3-day program) – Hike to the Lower Saddle

This day begins at our office at approximately 9:45. Your guide will do a gear check before your party is shuttled to the trailhead. The hike is strenous and typically takes 5-7 hours. You will gain 5,000 feet of elevation in approximately 7 miles. The day will include rest stops along the way and lunch will be in a beautiful alpine setting. You will hike at whatever pace is comfortable for your party, as long as everyone is moving at an acceptable pace. In the late afternoon or early evening you will arrive at our lower saddle base camp. After an early dinner, your guide(s) will share information about the next day’s summit attempt and then it’s early to bed so you get as much rest as possible.

Day 4 (Day 3 for the 3-day program) – 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. Reaching the summit involves approximately 2,500 feet of hiking, scrambling and technical climbing. Most parties top out around 8:00 am and, weather permitting, spend some time enjoying the summit view. You’ll then descend back to the base camp for lunch and a short rest before heading down to the trailhead. This is typically a 12-15 hour day and parties return to the office tired and happy!

NOTE: This is a typical itinerary, and it varies depending on the abilities of each member of your party, and conditions on the mountain. Our goal is always to reach the summit but it is never guaranteed. Our guides have a very high success rate, however, weather, route conditions, climber abilities and unforeseen issues can prevent reaching the summit. With a weaker party or unfavorable conditions, the Enclosure (sometimes referred to as the west summit) will be the goal.

Most of our climbers have never climbed prior to their instruction, and by the end most are comfortable with all of the skills necessary to attempt the Grand Teton climb. All Grand Teton climbers must successfully complete the instruction, 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.

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 and 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

The private Exum Grand Teton Climb is offered regularly during our summer season, June 10 to September 10. Depending on conditions, it can also be booked in early June or late September.

All climbs before the last week of June will be booked at a 1:1 ratio. June can be a great time to go if you have experience with mountain snow travel or wish to learn. The mountain is less crowded, but you will need to be up for extra adventure and a day of snow school due to early season conditions. Late September can also be lovely when the weather cooperates! 

Please call our office to check availability. We can take parties as large as 14 on the Exum Grand Teton program. 

The 4-day Exum Grand Teton Program

*1 climber – $3,220 / 2 climbers – $2,410 each 

The 3-day Exum Grand Teton Program

*1 climber – $2,740 / 2 climbers – $2,135 each

*The prices above do not include Snow School which may be required early in the season. 

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.