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Mt. Moran - Aug '10

Mount Moran (12,605ft or 3.842m) is a massive and impressive mountain in Grand Teton National Park of western Wyoming, USA. The mountain dominates the northern section of the Teton Range rising 6,000 feet (1,830 m) above Jackson Lake. Mount Moran's face is marked by a distinctive basalt intrusion known as the Black Dike.
The most popular route up Mount Moran is the CMC route, named for the Chicago Mountaineering Club. The CMC is rated 5.5, and ascends the east face just south of the Black Dike. It also has the advantage of a good camp high on the flank of the mountain.
To reach Mt Moran summit we used "hikayton" - the combination of hiking and kayaking.
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  • After completion of the demanding Wind River Range tour, summiting Gannett Peak (13,809ft or 4.209m), and my two-day business trip to Salt Lake City I was back to Jackson, WY to meet my friends.

    After completion of the demanding Wind River Range tour, summiting Gannett Peak (13,809ft or 4.209m), and my two-day business trip to Salt Lake City I was back to Jackson, WY to meet my friends.

  • Earlier that day Senad and Bob decided to go back to Denver, CO after Senad got a huge blister during our previous Gannett Peak tour.

    Earlier that day Senad and Bob decided to go back to Denver, CO after Senad got a huge blister during our previous Gannett Peak tour.

  • Zijo and I met at the town square park. Jackson, WY is a premiere destination valley resort town south of Grand Teton National Park attracting millions of visitors each year.

    Zijo and I met at the town square park. Jackson, WY is a premiere destination valley resort town south of Grand Teton National Park attracting millions of visitors each year.

  • We rented a kayak and had dinner at a nice restaurant with beautiful view of the Teton mountains.

    We rented a kayak and had dinner at a nice restaurant with beautiful view of the Teton mountains.

  • No trails to Mount Moran have been maintained for over twenty years, and any approach overland requires a great deal of bushwhacking through vegetation, deadfalls and bogs along the perimeter of Leigh Lake.

    No trails to Mount Moran have been maintained for over twenty years, and any approach overland requires a great deal of bushwhacking through vegetation, deadfalls and bogs along the perimeter of Leigh Lake.

  • This is why we choose to kayak from String Lake, across Leigh Lake and then pick our way to the camp site.

    This is why we choose to kayak from String Lake, across Leigh Lake and then pick our way to the camp site.

  • After registering in the Ranger Station we were on our way at about 9am.

    After registering in the Ranger Station we were on our way at about 9am.

  • Of course - all around was clean water ... It took us about two hours to kayak across String and Leigh Lakes since we had strong wind against us.

    Of course - all around was clean water ... It took us about two hours to kayak across String and Leigh Lakes since we had strong wind against us.

  • I've called this adventure: "hikayton" - the combination of hiking and kayaking.

    I've called this adventure: "hikayton" - the combination of hiking and kayaking.

  • We put aside our kayak and prepared our heavy backpacks again. We started the hike at about 11am.

    We put aside our kayak and prepared our heavy backpacks again. We started the hike at about 11am.

  • With the higher elevation the sceneries were more and more amazing.

    With the higher elevation the sceneries were more and more amazing.

  • The weather was unstable - windy and rainy.

    The weather was unstable - windy and rainy.

  • It was a pretty steep trail.

    It was a pretty steep trail.

  • Many friendly animals were all around.

    Many friendly animals were all around.

  • We went at a slow pace.

    We went at a slow pace.

  • At about 2pm on Thursday August 12th we were at the campsite (around 10,000ft - 3,500ft above the valley).

    At about 2pm on Thursday August 12th we were at the campsite (around 10,000ft - 3,500ft above the valley).

  • We woke up at about 4am on Friday August 13th and started to scramble through steep terrain at about 4:30am.

    We woke up at about 4am on Friday August 13th and started to scramble through steep terrain at about 4:30am.

  • At about 6am we were at the entrance to summit rock. The difficulties in front of us were rated about 5.5 or IV european.

    At about 6am we were at the entrance to summit rock. The difficulties in front of us were rated about 5.5 or IV european.

  • After rappelling from the top of Drizzlepuss we are enjoying our climb.

    After rappelling from the top of Drizzlepuss we are enjoying our climb.

  • Drizzlepuss, a tower with what the guidebook describes as a "terrifying view" of the route. In front of us are two EXUM guides with two of their clients (father and daughter).

    Drizzlepuss, a tower with what the guidebook describes as a "terrifying view" of the route. In front of us are two EXUM guides with two of their clients (father and daughter).

  • Views around us are more and more spectacular. The view towards the south...

    Views around us are more and more spectacular. The view towards the south...

  • ... and towards the valley.

    ... and towards the valley.

  • Zijo was enjoying himself, too.

    Zijo was enjoying himself, too.

  • Closer to the summit.

    Closer to the summit.

  • It was enjoyable.

    It was enjoyable.

  • It wasn't so hot.

    It wasn't so hot.

  • Almost there...

    Almost there...

  • Final snow balkony.

    Final snow balkony.

  • Zijo is approaching flat Mount Moran summit (12,605ft or 3.842m). It was about 10:30am.

    Zijo is approaching flat Mount Moran summit (12,605ft or 3.842m). It was about 10:30am.

  • Summit banchmark.

    Summit banchmark.

  • Award for summiting - spectacular sceeneries, ...

    Award for summiting - spectacular sceeneries, ...

  • ... and fantastic views.

    ... and fantastic views.

  • Preparing for descent.

    Preparing for descent.

  • One more view to the valley.

    One more view to the valley.

  • We were about 6,000ft above the valley.

    We were about 6,000ft above the valley.

  • It was a clear day.

    It was a clear day.

  • Drizzlepuss is waiting for us below.

    Drizzlepuss is waiting for us below.

  • We were not in a hurry.

    We were not in a hurry.

  • Zijo is coming down.

    Zijo is coming down.

  • Dave from Montana is rappelling off - in the middle of the rock. (Dave and Sarah from Montana are celebrating their 5th anniversary - we met them at the summit).

    Dave from Montana is rappelling off - in the middle of the rock. (Dave and Sarah from Montana are celebrating their 5th anniversary - we met them at the summit).

  • The view from the top of Drizzlepuss.

    The view from the top of Drizzlepuss.

  • Zijo at the top of Drizzlepuss.

    Zijo at the top of Drizzlepuss.

  • One picture together.

    One picture together.

  • It was our hike in the memory of Adis.

    It was our hike in the memory of Adis.

  • From this point I put our climbing gear in the backpack ...

    From this point I put our climbing gear in the backpack ...

  • ... and we enjoyed hiking down.

    ... and we enjoyed hiking down.

  • Zijo, too.

    Zijo, too.

  • The camp site is one of the most beautiful in the Tetons.

    The camp site is one of the most beautiful in the Tetons.

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    Of course - all around was clean water ... It took us about two hours to kayak across String and Leigh Lakes since we had strong wind against us.
    I've called this adventure: "hikayton" - the combination of hiking and kayaking.
    We put aside our kayak and prepared our heavy backpacks again. We started the hike at about 11am.