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Find that perfect adventure outside your front door

SHAPE UP

TOP

FORGET THE GYM AND WELCOME THE WILD NO

FENCESLARAMIE NATIVE TAKES LOCAL EXPERIENCE TO THE WORLD

premier issue

spring 2008

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NOFENCES

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Address: Reach magazine, Dept. 3625, 1000 E. University Ave.Laramie, WY 82071Phone: (307) 766-6190Email: reachmagazine@uwstudentmedia.info Copyright ©2008 by University of Wyoming Student Media.

All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

30 Grand Adventure One family’s tale of conquering the Tetons

CONTENTS

08 Quick Snowy Escape Offtrack Snowy Range journey

10 Backyard Playground Laramie terrain prepares Mark Jenkins for world exploration

16 Adventure Within Reach Top ten Laramie region adventure

22 Surviving in the Hole

Finding a fiscal solution to a week in Wyoming’s spendiest town

26 Survival Gear Layering up for your outdoor excursion

spring 2008

06 Get Out of the Gym Outdoor options for fresh air fitness

CONTENTS

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It’s your lucky day and you may not even know it. You live in Wyoming!

We are sitting on a jackpot. But, if you are just sitting on it, you are missing out.

I would like to introduce you to the University of Wyoming’s newest publication, Reach magazine. Reach is an outdoor exposure magazine aimed at informing and lighting the fire under people who are lucky enough to be planted in this gem of the west. Wyoming is an open-air playground just waiting to be explored. While most people stray to more “popular” areas, we have a secret hideout that has not yet hit the mainstream. Explore it first.

Reach was formed with the purpose to educate and intrigue. The University of Wyoming is an institution for students to expand their academic understanding, but more than that gain an insight on some of the world’s natural wonders…all right at our fingertips. Where else can you drive an hour or less in any direction and run into an array of outdoor adventures?

If you are wondering the thought behind the name “Reach,” it purely stems from the idea that most of the time the greatest events in your life won’t be handed to you; you will have to make the extra effort and reach. It’s time to exit your comfort zone, you won’t be disappointed.

Do not be afraid if this is your first encounter with the outdoors. Look at it as a challenge. For you seasoned outdoor veterans, enjoy Reach and let it help inspire you to continue your adventure.

Coming from suburban Chicago, this style of life was concealed for so long, and now I don’t want to waste any more time. Neither should you.

I am a University of Wyoming junior, majoring in journalism and until I arrived here my passion for the

EDITOR’S NOTE

outdoors was just a flicker. I had gone on a few backpacking trips, and have always loved fresh air, but it wasn’t until I participated in an Outdoor Adventure Program trip before my freshman year that I began to understand that if I wanted to climb mountains on the weekends I could, and I should. The gratification and drive has grown with each trip and has spread from backpacking, hiking, snowboarding and mountain biking to anything that I will have a good story about afterwards.

Outdoor adventure lifestyle is more than the act of climbing mountains and hanging from rock walls by ropes.

It’s about the sensation when you reach a point where you can’t think of anywhere else in the world you would rather be. Each new excursion leads to the next best experience in your life. It’s the way you feel when you strive to reach the top of a mountain just so you can watch the sunset over the Grand Tetons. It’s the frozen grin plastered on your face when you just took the best powder shot of the season through the trees on your snowboard. You can’t help but get that unexplainable excited feeling in your gut.

When the day is done, and you’re driving home, look out the window over Wyoming’s wide-open land and realize how lucky you are to live here. I urge you not to take for granted the place where other people would love to be or have not had the opportunity to even experience, instead take advantage of it. If you find yourself wanting something more in your life, all you have to do is reach.

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Samantha GetzSamantha grew up in the mountainous valley of Jackson Hole, Wyo. and has always been interested in the outdoors. Reach magazine seemed like a fit for her because it allows her to study about the natural beauty of her hometown and other areas surrounding Laramie. She enjoy being outside enduring nature in its full glory, hiking, camping and rafting. She is a sophomore at the University of Wyoming with a major in journalism and possibly a minor in guitar.

Zach ParrieZach is an outdoorsman and a Laramie native. His first love is mountain biking, though cross-country skiing is a close second. He believes that those who think Laramie is boring need to get out more. He writes for Reach in hopes that others will enjoy everything the area really has to offer. He is a senior majoring in English.

Justin GerardJustin is senior at the University of Wyoming studying Photojournalism and Music. He grew up in Buffalo, Wyo. Living in the Bighorn Mountains fostered a fond appreciation for the outdoors. He is a snowboarder in the winter and a fly fishing guide, backpacker and explorer in the summer. He plays jazz guitar and is studying languages to help him in his travels.

Rand McKellarRand is a senior in Communication. He has engaged in a lot of outdoor pursuits over the years including cycling, ski mountaineering, white water paddling, and climbing in almost all its forms. Right now climbing, particularly alpine climbing, has really captured his interest and imagination. He writes because it is one way to share his experiences. He thinks it is important to share the stories of our endeavors in order to contribute to this thing we call being human.

Shantana BantaShantana is a senior in Journalism and Art with a Graphic Design emphasis. Growing up in Star Valley, Wyo., she was surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors. Although technology is a large area of her working and personal life, she finds peace living in an area with the outdoors is just a short drive away. Looking at media’s influential power on our lives, she hopes to contribute to a more positive interaction with the media through her work.

Jeremy StegallJeremy was raised on the family farm in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas. He developed a love of the outdoors early on in life, and now enjoys backpacking. His love of photography started while he was in high school and became a passion while serving aboard the USS Wyoming. He attended Brooks Institute of Photography and now freelances for several Wyoming newspapers and is the Photo Editor for the Branding Iron.

CONTRIBUTORS

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Expo

High water spring on Gros Ventre River outside of Jackson, Wyo. Photograph courtesy of Austin Woody

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It’s no secret that America is experiencing a waist-line epidemic. Gyms are packed with people who slog away on machines for hours so they can stay fit, healthy and avoid having to wear sweat pants for the rest of their lives. Luckily, for those of us who live in Wyoming, we don’t always need a gym to stay fit—we have

the great outdoors, where there are many ways to stay in shape without having to risk death by boredom. All that’s needed is a little gear, a little ambition and a healthy respect for safety.Want to try? Check out these six great sports, all of which can be enjoyed right here at home, that will keep you sweating and entertained.

Get Out of the Gym

Illustration by Justin D. Attebery

and Into the Wildby Zach Parrie

Trail Running—12 min. miles

Trail running is simply that—running along out-of-the-way trails. Trail running provides all the benefits of running on a treadmill, plus the added bonuses of varying scenery, mixed terrain and softer running surfaces (helping to give the knees a break!). If you dig the woods, but hate slow hikes or the expense of mountain biking, trail running is for you.

Calories Burned Per Hour: 436/545/654Entry Costs: A quality pair of trail-specific running shoes can be found for $70.Pros: A great workout with a low entry costCons: Hard on the joints, can be too intense for some outdoors enthusiastsGreat local place to trail run: The Happy Jack trail system nine miles east of Laramie on I-80 offers dozens of varied and enjoyable trails. Best place to start: Local cross-country races usually offer beginner categories and are great for meeting fellow runners. Try the Hapi-ness 5k, held every spring in Laramie.

BackpackingPerfect for those who want to get outside for extended periods of time, backpacking trips can be as short or as long as you want—provided you can carry everything you need. And lugging a heavy pack is a great way to get in shape while you unwind away from the grind.

Calories Burned Per Hour: 382/477/522Entry Costs: A pack will set you back $140, and boots will cost you $90. Pros: Elegantly simple, offers great opportunities for sight-seeingCons: Relatively high entry cost, altitude sickness and lightning can become concerns at higher altitudesGreat local place to backpack: For some of the most breathtaking views in Wyoming, head to Medicine Bow Peak, 42 miles west of Laramie.Best place to start: Cross Country Connection is a great place to learn about fantastic local trails.

Road Biking –16 mph

Since one Mr. Armstrong dominated the international scene, road biking has become a hip way for Americans to stay in shape, and for good reason—it burns more calories than trail running, and it’s easier on the body. A great leg workout to complement any fitness plan, or simply a great way to see some of the countryside.

Calories Burned Per Hour: 546/682/819Entry Costs: A bike starts at $1100, and a helmet is $75. For an extra kick, add a pair of clipless-shoes for $70.Pros: Growing popularity leading to an increase in bikes paths, great workoutCons: Expensive, physically demanding Great local place to road bike: Try Roger’s Canyon, 8 miles north of Laramie on 9th street.Best place to start: The Pedal House in Laramie has some of the most experienced and knowledgeable staff in the area, as well as student discounts and a great selection.

Mountain BikingRoad biking’s gnarlier, knobbier cousin. Along with the advantages of road biking, you get an extra shot of adrenaline courtesy of the quick, rough trails common in mountain biking. Try it if you enjoy biking but want a few more ups and downs, some testy terrain, and you don’t mind the occasional dirt sammie.

Calories Burned Per Hour: 464/580/696Entry Costs: Mountain bikes are cheaper than their slimmer brethren, with a beginners bike at $400. Helmets can ranges from $30 to $150. Clipless shoes run $70 and up and the pedals can be found for as low as $40. You don’t have to have the shoes and pedals, but as you gain experience they will increase your strength on the trails. Pros: Good workout, fast-pacedCons: Expensive, requires basic level of technique on difficult terrainGreat local place to mountain bike: Make Turtle Rock trail at Vedauwoo your first ride, then head to the Happy Jack trail system for endless variety.Best place to start: The Pedal House is just as good for mountain bikers as it is for road bikers.

ClimbingFor those who favor scaling mountains rather than passing by on foot or wheel, there’s nothing better than climbing. Great for developing lean muscle mass and strength, especially in the arms. Climbing is perfect for weightlifters who would like to get a little sun. And for pure rush, nothing beats a 90-foot rappel.

Calories Burned Per Hour: 436/545/654Entry Costs: Outdoor gear shops like Big Hoss offer beginner packages for $130 that include the essentials—shoes, harness, locking biner, and belay device. Once you’re ready for a rope, tack on an extra $140.Pros: Challenging and fun way to build muscle mass, need for a partner makes climbing a social sportCons: Advanced techniques require expensive gear, high-risk, can be psychologically difficultGreat local place to climb: Look no further than Vedauwoo, 16 miles east of Laramie on I-80, famous for its challenging crack climbs.Best place to start: Big Hoss Mountain Sports in Laramie is a great source of gear and advice for the beginning climber.

KayakingThough southwest Wyoming isn’t a paradise for kayakers, the sport a worthwhile pursuit for any local fan of outdoor sports. And once you get past the entry costs, it’s cheap to keep up—simply put, there’s only so many days you should play in the dirt without enjoying taking a break for a dip in some rapids.

Calories Burned Per Hour: 273/341/409Entry Costs: The boat will cost you $750, life jackets and helmets are $80 each, a paddle is $150, and a skirt runs for $50.Pros: Upper-body workout is stellar, provides a great break from dry sportsCons: Limited local kayaking areas, initial investmentGreat local place to kayak: The two-mile stretch of the Laramie River running from Jelm to Woods Landing, 30 miles southwest of Laramie, offers an excellent ride for beginners.Best place to start: Check out UW’s Outdoor Adventure Program for seasonal courses on kayaking.

*Calories burned listed for three body weights- 120lbs, 150lbs and 180lbs.Special thanks go to Beth Mullins, Dan Bergum, Ed Allshouse and Leo Pueblitz for their input during the writing of this article.

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by Anne M. Funk

A college life dictated by a rather strict budget does not allow much

room for frivolities such as regular visits to expensive ski resorts. The question arises, what to do with a vacant Saturday morning?

When cross country skiing does not sound like the way to go, and the sled (not the snowmobile, those are still too expensive) was broken last weekend, at least you have ability to walk. It may be a stretch, but maybe it is worth it to try out some snowshoes. After renting a pair with some friends and donning the necessary attire (no cotton and remember the layers) the, er, slopes are waiting to be hit. Driving up to

the mountains, marveling at the pristine whiteness of the snow-covered prairie, wind buffeting the car, the excitement of being out in it all builds.

Before you know it, you have reached Libby Creek trail, only to find the parking area full with cars whose passengers had the same idea. Instead of stopping, you pull off at the side of the road and decide today is a good day for an adventure. Why not stray off the beaten path a bit?

Well, only a little because the unmarked route you decide to take has already been marred by others out snowshoeing before you. Alas, this is not the road less traveled. Bending down to

strap your hiking boot clad feet into the snowshoes the wind comes up through the trees beckoning you into the forest

Without the snowshoes, this adventure might not be taking place. You could have skied in, but today it just felt like a good day for a souped-up walk. Without snowshoes, none of this would have been possible, and you would still be in bed counting the holes in the wall made by tenants of the past.

Dark pine trees covered in winter white, sun shining magnificently down on the forest bed covered in a blanket of snow, friends around you, all about to get the workout of a lifetime, what could be better than this?

Finding a Quick Getaway

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Snowshoeing is an amazing time, especially off the beaten path, but as always, it important to be prepared. Just because you checked the forecast does not mean a sudden ground blizzard cannot pick up covering tracks and temporarily blinding you.

Regardless of where you are trekking, have a compass (that you know how to use) and know from what direction you came. Pay attention to the time of day you set out on your hike. If it is one or two in the afternoon do not attempt to hike to the base of Sugar Loaf (in the Snowy Range) and be back to the car before dark. Plan your trip accordingly. Take headlamps, extra layers, snack

foods, first aid, water (you might need to wear this under your jacket so the bladder and hose do not freeze if you do not have an insulated sleeve in your pack), etc.

Common sense is a biggie in all situations. If an area looks like it might slide, do not suddenly adopt an invincible attitude and attempt to cross. Search and Rescue will do their best to find you, but you might be left until spring thaw which is usually not until June depending on where you are. Go out with another person. If no one will go with you, and you are dead set on going out, at least stick to a trail you know, or there are a lot of people on and

tell someone exactly where you are going.

There is so much beauty to be seen, especially in the Snowy Range. Snowshoes help take you to more remote locations if you have the time, the right materials and the skill level.

If you have never gone for a hike, and have trouble making it to class from the dorms, start with easier trails and work your way up. When the next snowy Saturday rolls around and you are faced with the option of stuffing your face with crackers and Cheese Wiz or getting to the mountains and venturing out on a pair of snowshoes, nothing should hold you back from the powdery terrain.

Photographs by Justin Gerard

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BACKYARDBACKYARDhis world

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BACKYARDBACKYARDby Lindsey Korsick

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MMark Jenkins’ backyard doesn’t have a fence, and never did.

Even the bars of this Laramie born writer’s crib could not keep the young adventurer contained. He has lived adventure from the depths of caves to the tips of mountains. But, instead of traveling to find the best training grounds for his excursions, he just explored his backyard, the vast playground he grew up in.

Laramie, Wyoming.“The approximate backyard for me was

around Laramie: the Medicine Bow mountains, the Snowy Range, Vedauwoo,” Jenkins said. “My backyard grew to include all of Wyoming, and now it includes the entire world.”

Jenkins father, Terry Jenkins, said within his first months of life that he knew his son wouldn’t settle for a relaxing life.

“At six months he was climbing out of his crib, walking at nine months, climbing rocks and hills at six years” Terry Jenkins said. “He got his first bike when he was 8 and it opened up a new world for him where he quickly explored all of Laramie.”

The world knows Jenkins’ adventures through his written word. Determined not to live the suit and tie lifestyle, he tried to combine his passion with a career, and he found adventure writing. Now in his 25th year of adventure writing, Jenkins has authored four books, contributed an eight-year running column to Outside magazine and has since started a new route with National Geographic.

Few people can honestly say that they have been training for the rest of their life since their school-age days, but each time Jenkins walked out his door he was headed in the direction of his future.

“I was not a seven-year-old that dreamed of

being a novelist. I was a seven-year-old on my bicycle riding on the dirt hills outside of Laramie. “I was 15-year-old who rode my bicycle on the dirt hills outside of Laramie.”

If fresh air is involved, Jenkins is there, but he found himself especially drawn to the rock face. He said he started climbing after an early childhood of fishing and hunting. Devil’s Tower was his first challenge and he was hooked.

“When I started climbing I started to get a passion and have been doing it ever since. I first started technical climbing in 1974 and 1975. I was always scrambling around as a kid. I climbed Devil’s Tower in 1975.”

The rush of adventure turned into a passion for exploring the corners and heights of the world that many others would stop short of. But, to get started, Jenkins decided to try his hand at every adventurer’s challenge - Mount Everest.

With a graduate student’s unimpressive bank account, Jenkins convinced the Edison Foundation to give him a grant to conduct research on his journey. His mentor, current UW president Tom Buchanan, said Jenkins had so much drive that no matter what his roadblocks, he would make his dreams happen.

“When he was a graduate student with me, he got invited to climb Mount Everest and he couldn’t afford it,” Buchanan said. “He wrote a grant to study snow samples on Mount Everest. As he climbed Mount Everest with an international team, he collected fresh snow samples to test for acid rain. That was his master’s thesis.

“He has created a wonderful life and career for himself doing the stuff that he loves. You talk to him for five minutes and you can’t help but get as enthused as he is.”

BACK

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My backyard grew to include

all of Wyoming, and now it

includes the entire world.

Photographs courtesy of Mark Jenkins

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“Hopefully you don’t screw up so bad that you don’t come home. For the most part the outdoors is for exploring the world, but also exploring yourself at the same time.”

Jenkins connects the wilderness and mountains can be a much harsher reality than what people collide with in everyday life.

“The thing is you always have to think on your feet in the mountains. In typical society, if you screw up there are so few consequences often times,” he said. “In the mountains if you screw up, the mountains will give you a little bit of room, but if you screw up very often you are going to pay serious consequences. You are forced to learn pretty quickly.”

He said living anywhere but Laramie may not have prepared him as well for his encounters in the wild. A climb in New Mexico with friend Todd Skinner revealed to both of them how their training in Wyoming has set them up for successful journeys.

With some international experience behind him, Jenkins decided that an Associate Press foreign correspondent would be his next step. He took his VW van and peanut butter and sardines lifestyle to Denver to meet the AP Chief, Joe McGown.

With a resume and clips in hand, Jenkins said McGown was less than encouraging for his future.

“I showed him a few of my clips and he just read me the right act,” Jenkins said. “He said, ‘You know you’ve got some balls coming in here thinking you can be a foreign correspondent. You need to go back and work on one of those little newspapers and work your way up to regional newspaper.

Then after 10 or 20 years, then you can come back and talk to me.’ I got out of there and I was just crushed. I thought, ‘F--- that.’”

An exit out of the Denver office put Jenkins on a plane headed to Nairobi, Africa. Jenkins left on a self-funded trip, with no real plan in mind, and it gave way to his first real break into foreign corresponding.

“I was working as an AP stringer within three weeks,” he said. “They needed people to go out and do stuff. You just needed to have the willingness to go do it.”

This wasn’t the first time Jenkins just jetted off on his own. His father said when something just didn’t feel comfortable to his son, like being told to come back in 20 years, he made a change.

“During his many travels, we relied on that (his ability to judge a situation) heavily,” Terry Jenkins said. “When he was 16 we were going to Grandma and Grandpa’s for Easter. Our car was small and we were many. He said he would just meet us there. We said okay.

“Grandma and Grandpa lived in Hot Springs, South Dakota, some 265 miles away. He got on his bike and did it. Mark has always had his wits about him. That is to say, he was always aware of his surroundings, the dangers and his ability.”

Knowing his surroundings, dangers and ability is a wisdom brought on by learning in decision making. Jenkins said that this decision making is something you need to eventually do on your own.

“Mountaineering is about learning how to make smart decisions in a difficult situation,” Jenkins said. “If someone is always guiding you, you are never making any decisions. The way you learn in the outdoors is perhaps to be guided a few times, and then go out on your own and screw up and get yourself out of it. That’s how you learn. “Some of that you can learn in class and some of it you have to be out there and just slowly push the limits. The problem with pushing limits is you never know what your limit is until you go beyond it.

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The way you learn in the outdoors is perhaps to

be guided a few times, and then go out on your

own and screw up and get yourself out of it.

That’s how you learn.

“Growing up in Wyoming totally prepared me,” Jenkins said. Todd Skinner used to say to me that if you could climb hard at Vedauwoo, you could climb anywhere in the world. There is some truth to that. It is true because the weather is so severe here, if you climb a lot in Wyoming, in all conditions of the winter and the summer, it is perfect training. You have to be climbing in the Wind Rivers or the Tetons because it doesn’t get any nastier anywhere in the world. “It is warmer on Everest than it is in the Wind Rivers in the winter. The only place I have been in the world that is colder that Wyoming is on

Denali. Everywhere else, it’s all warmer. If you train hard in alpine climbing in Wyoming, you can climb absolutely anywhere in the world.” Jenkins’ life is fence free. He travels through the world unlocking places that only been viewed from afar. But, when he’s finished reporting from all the outlying locations he still goes home, back to Laramie, Wyoming. Jenkins returns to his testing ground for what comes before him. He comes back to where his dreams are realized, trained for and planned, only to prepare for another adventure. All he needs is a few days in his backyard.

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Contributors: Justin Gerard, Samantha Getz, Lindsey Korsick, Rand McKellar and Jeremy Stegall.

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Worldly adventures are waiting for you, but in the meantime there are some expeditions just outside your neighborhood. We’ve got you covered with our top 10 adventures in the Laramie region. Explore at will.

Contributors: Justin Gerard, Samantha Getz, Lindsey Korsick, Rand McKellar and Jeremy Stegall.

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“You bled on my rope,” bellowed Mark Jenkins smirking at me as I climbed toward the belay.

The joke is lost in the waves of nausea washing over me. I clip into the creatively constructed anchor and press my helmet against the rock looking down between my legs at the talus field below that runs down to the banks of Lake Marie. The sound of crashing rocks pouring like a waterfall down the rotten faces nearby resonates in my ears. Then, another wave of nausea and Mark sets to work patching the source of my discomfort, a small but relatively deep, gash on my forearm. A piece of bandana and some climbing tape form an temporary dressing and Mark prepares to lead the last technical pitch of the 900-foot rock face called the Diamond in Wyoming’s Snowy Range.

The Snowy Range lies about 30 miles west of Laramie in the western portion of the Medicine Bow-Routt national forest. The range is crowned by its high point Medicine Bow peak and offers visitors year-round recreation opportunities. Relatively low utilization compared to its Colorado neighbors and easy access makes Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest an ideal destination for many types of outdoor enthusiasts.

While the park can be accessed from many trail heads along the Snowy Range Scenic byway, Wyo. 180, the West Lake Marie parking area offers the best accesses to the widest variety of activities, including spring skiing and snow climbing, hiking, wildlife viewing and alpine rock climbing.

The couloirs surrounding the east face of Medicine Bow Peak can hold skiable and climbable snow into July and offer fun, short, descents long after most resorts have closed. Serious climbers can tackle the steeper couloirs many of which include a pitch or two of mixed snow and rock climbing.

For hikers and those seeking a non-technical summit, the Medicine Bow loop trail offers a seven-mile hike that ascends

from the West Lake Marie parking area to the summit of Medicine Bow via the peaks western flanks and then descends down the steeper eastern slope. The trail offers panoramic views of the Snowy Range’s majestic alpine lakes and also makes for a great trail run for those interested in suffering a little.

French Creek trail is also accessed from the parking area. The trail begins across the road from the parking lot and offers an outstanding opportunity for people hoping to see some of the range’s abundant wildlife. The pleasant walk descends along a well marked trail that follows a cascading creek.

For rock climbers who enjoy alpine style climbing the West Lake Marie parking area is the easiest way to access the Diamond. To reach the base of the cliff one must walk westward around the banks of Lake Marie and then scramble up through the talus to the base of the rock face. There are many route options on the Diamond and topographic maps can be found at outdoor retailers in Laramie. Climbing on the Diamond is characterized by often tenuous balance moves on less-than vertical rock and short roofs. Be warned that rock quality on the diamond is sometimes poor and rock fall is a common occurrence. Many routes are also run-out requiring the leader to climb thirty feet or more above her gear.

On the summit, my nausea long past, I finish my sandwich and Mark and I begin descending through the talus toward the Medicine Bow Peak trail. We stop briefly at a placard Mark placed amongst the rocks several years ago honoring a group of fallen adventurers and friends. I never knew them, but I can see why Mark chose this place to commemorate their lives and deeds. People travel thousands of miles and pay exuberant amounts of money to see the kind of bucolic beauty the Snowy Range offers, it is not important how you experience this place, but that you experience it.

Medicine Bow Peak Recreation Area

by Rand McKellar

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The Rock Creek trail is roughly 45 miles outside of Laramie in Arlington, Wyo. This trail follows Rock Creek to its source at Sand Lake and is frequented by hikers, bikers and fisherman. The trail is around 17 miles long and is great for a day or overnight trip. This area was once extensively logged for railroad ties and has recovered well. Most trees in the area are around 100 years old. The trails under the supervision of the Forest Service are maintained at least yearly. There is very low use on the Rock Creek trail because it is in a road less area and is a good place for a quiet getaway. Dogs are allowed however normal dog etiquette is required. The Forest Service office in West Laramie can offer information on restrictions and maps of the area.

Famous for its off-width climbing, Vedauwoo, “the land of the earth born spirits,” is not a place for the neuvo-pad carrying, bolt clipping, slipper wearing, beanie topped climber. Instead climbers at Vedauwoo proudly sport, tape gloves, flannel shirts, torn Carharts, board lasted high-top climbing shoes, and wield giant pink tri-cams and number six Camalots. The granite towers of Vedauwoo loom just 16 miles east of Laramie on Interstate 80. For climbers Vedauwoo offers everything from car-side cragging at

the Nautilus to unclimbed lines on remote towers hidden within the eastern portion of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. While some climb at Vedauwoo year-round for most the climbing season begins in April and can last into September depending on the snowfall. Two climbing guide books for Vedauwoo are in print Fat Crack Country by Zach Orenczak and Climber’s Guide to Vedauwoo by Rob Kelman. A bouldering guide, Vedauwoo Bouldering, by Davin Bagdonas, is also available.

Let the dirt guide you. When you have the luxury of living within 15 minutes of a mass-mountain biking trail mecca, it can be hard to decide which track to take. Up at the Happy Jack Recreational Area, almost each stem of road will lead to single-track trails. There are trails for every level mountain biker. Check out the new trails out at Curt Gowdy state park or the standard off of the Tie Siding trailhead. Enjoy the scenery, enjoy the speed, enjoy a challenge.

Vedauwoo Rock Climbing

Mountain Biking at Happy Jack

Rock Creek Trail

Tyler Kerns

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Notorious for being a prized trout river by Coloradoans the North Platte is a great choice for anglers heading out of Laramie. The drive takes roughly an hour and a half and is around 70 miles to Six-mile gap and Pickaroon campground. The river, which can boast thousands of fish per mile, averages around three to five hundred fish per mile and all of which are healthy and sizeable trout. The flow of the river used to be around 200 cubic feet per second and is now 125 cf/s due to recent drought conditions. Stewart Birdsong is a guide who spent 110 days on the Platte River last summer. He says that the fishing has still been good despite the low water and that a woolly bugger pattern is often the best fly choice for the river. When the fish are rising a Trico pattern or grasshopper produces good results.

There are some hills north of Laramie with deep holes in them. The Shirley Mountains bear the well-known cave, the Cave Creek Cave. There are giant sinkholes and large rooms. To get to the larger rooms, you have to slide through passages on your belly that you may not think you can get through. Formerly called the Shirley Mountain Bat Cave, the Cave Creek Cave usually opens in early May and closes mid-way through October. The Shirley Mountains are just about a hour and a half north on U.S. Highway 287 from Laramie.

Poudre River Canyon offers a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, camping, tubing, rafting and kayaking are among the many activities the canyon offers. Just a short 45-minute drive down U.S. Highway 287 toward Fort Collins, Colorado will lead you to the turn off for the canyon. Suggested campsites include Stove Prairie and Big South which are both close to the waterfront. The hike toward Adam’s Falls is an easy 0.3 mile hike with picturesque woodlands, but if you’re up for the challenge the same trail stretches back for more than 4 miles with a mountainous landscape and a steep increase in elevation. The best time to utilize the natural beauty of the canyon is during the late spring in May when most tourists haven’t even thought about pulling out the camping gear.

Poudre River Canyon

Overnight in Forest Service Lookout Tower

Caving in the Shirley Mountains The North Platte River

Jeremy Stegall

Justin Gerard

If you love camping, but don’t like sleeping with a rock as a pillow, a highflying sleepover might do the trick. Former fire lookout towers have given way to a new means of taking in the outdoors. Laramie’s closest lookout is the Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout in the Routt National Forest just seven miles west of Albany, Wyo. Up to 10 people can stay for up to two consecutive nights for $40, but you better hope there are no sleepwalkers in the group. The tower stands 55 feet in the air at an elevation of 10,003 feet. Don’t expect to just walk up to the tower and spend the night, as there is just a sprinkle of dates left in 2008. Book way in advance and take in Snowy Range from above.

If you want to maneuver your way around the outdoors with a treasure in your sights, try out geocaching. The GPS (Global Positioning System) driven sport sends you out into the world in search of a cache. The cache can include anything from actual cash, to memorabilia, to gift cards, maps, a finder’s log or anything else that will fit inside a small tin box. The cache, which is usually out of plain sight, can be found in a tree trunk, tall grass, under a rock, or on top of a mountain. All you have to do is purchase a GPS, that can cost between $100 and $1000, and look on Web sites such as geocaching.com to find coordinates for caches in your area or in areas you plan on visiting. Some of the cache postings give the coordinates right out, but other make you work by solving riddles to find the destination. The newest form of treasure hunting has only been around since 2000, and new cache coordinates pop up everyday. According to geocaching.com, there are currently 300 caches in Laramie, 472 in Cheyenne and 179 in Jackson.

The Rawah Wilderness is in North central Colorado, east of the Medicine Bow range. The wilderness area contains 25 named lakes with elevations ranging from 8,000 to 13,000 feet. The peaks in the Rawahs were carved by glaciers, resulting in cirque lakes and moraines surrounded by bare jagged peaks. Hiking trails litter the wilderness with many options for extended backpacking trips. Camping is allowed anywhere within the wilderness as long as your camp is set up at least 200 feet from any body of water.

The Rawah Wilderness

Geocaching

Justin Gerard

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by Justin Gerard Wyoming holds strong to its cowboy mentality of being more rustic than the rest of the world. Jackson Hole, however, is an exception. Some consider this ski town as a faction of Colorado, Utah or California and few are reluctant to actually associate Jackson with the rest of the state. However, the spirit of this town is a part of Wyoming and even with the stigma of a fancy tourist trap, the pastoral allure found in the rest of the

state can be found here. As many winter enthusiasts can attest,

the town of Jackson is nothing without the mountains that surround the valley. Snow is the major attraction bringing skiers and riders from all over the world to experience large amounts of dry, light snow and amazing terrain: steep and deep. Jackson boasts 2,500 acres of inbounds terrain, a 4,139-foot vertical rise, and 459 inches of average snowfall

each winter, along with easy backcountry access. There are many powder hounds who would do anything possible to be able to afford a pass and plunder the riches of the Teton Village Resort. Some diehards have even been seen sleeping on friends floors almost on the brink of starvation only to rise religiously each day and ski. “Everyday except for yesterday I have skied,” a young ski instructor on the gondola said.

Surviving a Week in the Hole

spring 2008 23

“We don’t come here for the nightlife; we come here for the snow and the mountain.” Jackson is held together by the people who live to ride.

The Easterners and rich folk bring with them their desire for expensive meals and tourist traps are sure to flourish. Nonetheless, even with the high cost of living and attempts at exploitation, the locals make it happen no matter what the sacrifice. It is these

Even though the cost of living in Jackson is the highest in the state, visiting can be afforded by anyone with a little budgeting and research into the best deals and secrets.

Photographs by Justin Gerard

locals who make Jackson the place it is. The tourists invade, and I share some of the guilt as I am a visitor myself, but these locals are always willing to share even though it is perpetuating the expansion and invasion of their playground. With the right coercion, they are willing to tell all their secrets except for their favorite runs. Locals can point you towards cheaper meals, happy hour specials and house parties that are often not publicized or advertised. On a powder day, the locals are most easily found either on the lifts or in one of the several saloons on the mountain such as The Mangy Moose, Nick’s or the Village Café après ski. The several well-established warming huts such as the Palace, the Blue Room, or the Cheyenne Chateau are also good places to run into

locals and with the right proposition any resource can become available. The coveted “green pass” can often open many closed doors, open closed lifts and open one’s mind. It is a great way to meet new friends, too.

The key to living as fiscally conservative as possible involves having and making friends. Even though the cost of living in Jackson is the highest in the state, visiting can be afforded

by anyone with a little budgeting and research into the best deals and secrets. Good friends can provide you with food, shelter and act as your own personal guides around the mountain and town. “The town has basically opened up to us,” some visiting Wisconsinites said while we were warming up in the Palace hut. They cemented the age-old wisdom of it’s not what you know rather who you know. A free floor to sleep on is much easier on the pocketbook than hotel rooms, and carpooling also saves money for gas, which is usually the highest cost on vacations. Carpooling with at least three people can also get you free parking at the resort.

For those of age, buying packaged liquor also saves money as compared to paying for bar prices and tips. Pabst Blue Ribbon is the ski bums drink of choice and is often consumed in 24oz cans or pitchers.

There is truly nothing like a cold beer to warm the soul, and some have even been seen pounding a tallboy on every gondola ride. A tallboy can be found for only $1.75 at the Moose’s Belly, a general store underneath the Mangy Moose saloon, and it is a good investment for the money. Many places offer good happy hour specials which is

an opportune time to sample the local libations from the Snake River Brewery without breaking the bank.

On a recent trip to this snow mecca, my accomplice and I decided to find out how one can survive on a limited budget in this ski town. It was early, too early as I was on vacation, but today we had a reason to wake up early. The report came in and 14 inches had blanketed the mountain overnight.

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As I was groggily getting my gear on, bergamot floated to my nostrils from the Earl Grey steeping on the counter.

This was it. This is why we prioritized this trip over everything else in the world and saved our dimes and nickels. We would sacrifice almost anything to experience floating turns through the steep and deep. My accomplice was urgently reminding us of the time, through a yawn, which made me skeptical, but reassured myself that we were all in the same boat.

As we made our way from the parking lot we could see the gondola line moving with uneasiness. The clouds above us echoed with the thunder of avalanche control. The war zone hidden high above made the gondola line echo with excitement, all anxious to wage war on the terrain. Hundreds of people were all waiting like artists with fresh blank canvas, ready for the gondola to start loading so they could make their stroke. There was a roar of excitement as the first cars were filled and everyone quickly condensed filling every available inch of space in the line as if it would get them there faster. It was organized chaos and the patrons all looked like farm animals waiting to be put to pasture.

Twenty minutes later we had negotiated the corrals and were boarding the gondola. Eight people crammed into the gondola and everyone had a grin across their face. It didn’t matter that we were prodded like cattle and packed into cars

early in the morning. We were all about to make those first turns, which overload

the senses and conjure an addiction for the best lines. After these powder hounds make their first carves, their hunger turns ravenous, eventually craving more and more fluffy turns and drops. This continues non-stop all day until the sun starts to disappear and the lifts shut down forcing them to quit and start again tomorrow.

The people fortunate enough to ride Jackson’s amazing terrain are extremely conditioned. They all ride with immense creativity and power, effortlessly bombing through trees with eerie silence, always finding the freshest lines and dropping the best cliffs. Every lift line we waited in was overflowing not only with people, but bubbling with excitement over the last run and the run to come. I didn’t catch my breath all day long and even though my legs were giving up, I just couldn’t stop. I had finally unloaded the last chair. There was no longer a need to rush and pulverize the remaining patches of fresh snow. The last run is always the sweetest leaving a taste of satisfaction with undertones of anticipation for tomorrow.

The musty air found in the subterranean Village Café saloon after a powder day is a testament to the dedication and complacence of riding as hard as possible. Food is always a priority when riding all day long. Jackson has high food prices, but many places offer filling meals under $10. While on the mountain bringing your own lunch can be a life, money and time saver. I usually bring items that cannot be crushed or smashed such as cheese, bagels or an apple. It is all well worth the weight. Also, bringing items that can be mixed with water such as tea, oatmeal, or ramen noodles is a thrifty idea as most restaurants will give you hot water for free.

The Village Café is cheap for ski resort prices as I got two pieces of pizza and a PBR tallboy for $10. “Give the last bite to the carpet,” my accomplice instructs after he dropped his crust. It is advice I ignored. In town there are more options such as Billy’s Giant Burgers, Gordito’s, The Wagon Wheel, Snake River Brewing and Mountain High Pizza Pie, all in order from least to most cost per bite, that have decent prices for an occasional night out. However, cooking at home saves the most money and we opted for this option the majority of the time. Saving every cent eventually adds up and makes a night out much more memorable. The more planning ahead you do, the longer and more enjoyable your stay in Jackson can be.

As a sign on the top of the mountain sums it all up, “This mountain is unlike anything you have ever skied before.” This statement rings true. This place is unlike any other place on earth. The town is run by the outdoors people who live there regardless of the cost, with one goal in mind: to have fun. If one can escape the tourists and explore the town with these locals, the spirit of the town really comes alive. A week feverishly speeds by when you are having the time of your life and if your body and mind can stand up to the aura that envelops Jackson, you will be hooked and keep coming back.

Jackson has long held a reputation as being a diamond in the rough; this is true as it may be expensive, it is well worth saving for.

Great Service Same Day Printing Enlargements

107 Grand Ave.Laramie, WY

(307)742-PICS

DevelopAdventureHere.

www.wyoshutterbugs.com

Your

spring 2008 25

Chicken and Mexican Rice1 c. instant rice1¼ c. water1T. Old Elpaso less Sodium Taco Seasoning¼ t. ground cumin½ t. instant chopped onion

2 sundried tomatoes, thinly sliced

Topping4 oz pkg. Bumble Bee Prime Filet Chicken breast, Garlic and Herb

½ t. freezer dried chives

Combine water, rice, taco seasoning, cumin, onion, chives, and tomatoes and bring to boil. Stir cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Top with chicken and add additional chives.

Tuna and Curried Couscous½ c. Near East Whole Grain Wheat Couscous (original, plain)¾ c. Water¼ t. Salt

¾ t. curry powder

Topping3 oz. pkg. Albacore tuna, in water1 heaping T. unsweetened coconut flakes1 heaping T. slivered almonds

2 heaping T. raisins

Bring Water to boil. Add couscous, salt, and curry. Stir, remove from heat and cover. Let Sit 5 minutes. Top with tuna, coconut, almonds and raisins.

Beef and Barley1 c quick cook Barley2 c water2 T. Knorr Spring Vegetable recipe mix, sifted to remove most salt

½ t. dried rosemary, crushed

Topping½ c. Jack links prime Rib Tender Cuts, cubed

¼ t. ground black pepper

Bring water to boil. Add barley and Knorr mix. Return to boil. Cover and cook 6 minutes, adjusting flame to prevent boil over. Remove cover and cook until water is reduced. Top with beef cubes and black pepper.

Salmon and PastaWhole wheat angel hair pasta (nickel diameter bunch, broken in thirds) 2 c. water½ t. garlic salt½ t. minced dehydrated garlic½ t. instant chopped onion½ t. freeze-dried chives2 sundried tomatoes, thinly sliced

Topping2.8 oz. cup chicken of the sea salmon¼ t. dried basil¼ t. dried oregano¼ t. dried chives1½ t. grated parmesan

2 pinches ground black pepper

Bring water to boil. Add pasta, garlic salt, minced garlic, chopped onion, chives, and sun dried tomatoes. When pasta adente, drain though cheesecloth. Top with salmon, basil oregano chives, parmesan cheese, and black pepper.

Wear a Wardrobe to Survive inby Anne M. Funk

Photographs by Jeremy Stegall, and Make-up by Cambria Serrano

spring 2008 27

Looking out the window to the sky above, not a cloud was in sight. Bright fiery yellows from the reflection of the sun bounced off the surface of the crystal clear river and threatened blindness to anyone who cared to stare directly and unblinkingly at the invasive glare.

Maneuvering slowly and cautiously around the twisted roadways up the side of the canyon required the utmost patience, unfortunately not a trait common to the person behind the wheel. Regardless, the trailhead was reached in one piece and the carsick passengers hastily left the confines of the vehicle to breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Summer in the mountains and hikers usually find themselves in cotton shorts, cotton shirts, cotton socks. Not bothering to check the weather conditions before they left, back-up garments were not included in the packs currently housing the water, snacks and sunscreen.

Not realizing the trouble they could be in they were determined to set out. About an hour into the hike, ink colored heavy and ominous clouds suddenly began filling up the sky above the trekkers.

Gradually the sun was no longer visible as the rolling and throaty thunder overcame the sound of the once joyous birds. Immediately, the lightening answered, much higher on the scale with a sound seen and felt, more than heard.

Raindrops pelted as the two voices collided and rolled into one and soon the hikers with no hope of shelter, save the trees, were soaked through to the skin. Miserable and cold in bone chilling wetness, unable to return to the car because of the monsoon–like downpour engulfing them, the trekkers were forced to stay put and wait out the tempest. Had they packed/worn appropriate clothing, the hikers could have endured the downpour with more enthusiasm.

This is where the proper preparation prior to any excursion can define how enjoyable an adventure may be.

As a rule of thumb, avoid cotton at all costs when heading

When hiking, layer up no matter the

conditions. If the weather is too warm,

it is much easier to shed excessive

layers than not have extra layers at all.

out for a hike no matter the season. Yes, cotton is a great fiber; however, when wet either from rain, snow or sweat, the only benefit of cotton is that the fiber becomes stronger.

Other than that, all insulating properties can be thrown out the window as the material becomes more saturated and heavier.

When hiking, layer up no matter the conditions. If the weather is too warm, it is much easier to shed excessive layers and stow them in a pack and have them at hand when the sun ducks behind the clouds, than not to have extra layers at all. Hiking on a balmy day is great, and usually a lot of fun, but even if there is no prediction in the forecast of inclement weather, being prepared for any condition is a must for survival.

Take a light, waterproof/breathable jacket that can be stored easily in a backpack to cover up with if the weather turns nasty. If you are running on the college student, Ramen and cereal budget and cannot afford mid to top-of-the-line garments to shed the rain, a poncho or even a trash bag with a hole cut for your head works in a pinch.

On the flip side, if the day begins a bit cooler, wear layers such as light weight wool (maintains warmth when wet and dries quickly), or Patagonia’s Capilene 1, 2 or 3 (a synthetic fabric that dries remarkably fast) that can be shed.

Another aspect to consider when out and about is not necessarily the temperature rating of a garment, but what is being worn in addition to the article of clothing. Ken Cramer, owner of Cross Country Connection, likes to joke that temperature ratings are in all honesty, a moot point.

A parka could be rated to -5 degrees and it should keep the wearer warm at freezing, right? Not necessarily, warmth is completely dependent on what else is worn. If all you are wearing is the parka, great for winter warmth, over a swimsuit and are expecting accurate and non-freezing results making your way back to the hot springs from the yurt you are staying in half a mile away through the snow, you have a huge reality check coming.

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If you answered yes to any of the above, or just think you could add something to Reach magazine…contribute.

Reach magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers, with a zeal for the outdoors, to submit their ideas, stories and photographs for fall 2008 issue.

Submit your work to reachmagazine@uwstudentmedia.info with your contact information and you will be contacted.

Share your passion with Reach magazine.

Do you have adventures share? Do you know

something about the outdoors everyone else should too? Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs?

That mind opening experience will most likely be in the form of hypothermia of the lower extremities. Do not be fooled, frozen body parts really are not a good thing by any stretch of the imagination. They do not thaw like Austin Powers or Han Solo.

With the summer attire covered, what about winter expedition wear? The reality is not much difference between the concepts of what to wear in the summer compared to the winter. Layering is still your best bet.

Differences lie in the weight of the clothing. Base layers (what you wear closest to the skin) will generally be thicker – a mid. to heavy weight wool (Smartwool has awesome options) or Capilene 3 or 4, or something of equal comparison. Capilene is not the end all, be all, Craft, DuoFold, Mountain Hardwear, Cabella’s and Under Armor all have great solutions. Socks will also be thicker. Thicker garments/more layers mean heat cannot escape as easily from the body, thus keeping the wearer warmer.

In the winter, whether skiing, sledding or just simply walking to class, hats and gloves or mittens are always a wise

choice. A hat is especially good in addition to your other warm weather clothes because the majority of a person’s body heat is lost through the head.

When appendages are freezing, fingers and toes are some of the first to suffer the ill effects of the cold, so it is important to bundle them up as well, or at least have that option. Plus, if you are walking on slick ground, a common occurrence in Laramie, free hands help maintain balance – less chance of eating it.

All in all, when out in the mountains (and Laramie is technically considered mountains simply because of the elevation), weather can go from sunny and 80 degrees to snowing and 32 degrees in a matter of minutes (July 4 ring any bells?). Rather bi-polar, but who is keeping score? Being prepared by checking the forecast, having and wearing layers, avoiding cotton opting for wool or breathable and/or waterproof synthetics and employing some common sense, for a range of conditions is the best way to help one survive in the wilderness, at least in the clothing department.

spring 2008 29

Do you have adventures share? Do you know

something about the outdoors everyone else should too? Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs?

30 reach

With each adventure there are expectations. expectations to kinder a special relationship with your companions, challenge your limits and reach a goal. The Sjol family wanted a chance to be atop the world, but one slip had them questioning if their lives would be the same.

Grand

by Samantha Getz

spring 2008 31

GrandAdvenTure

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t “We started climbing Snow King when Jordan was only three and Jessie was five,” Lynette said. “We hiked and mountain biked and skied throughout Cache Creek and did a lot of hiking in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.”

The summer of 2005 pushed their limits.

Jessie was to graduate from high school the following spring and the family faced separation when she went off to college. “It was sort of a last chance to do the climb,” Jessie said.

With the Tetons splashed on everything in Jackson Hole, Jordan said it has been his ambition to climb the legendary peak. “I’ve been hearing ‘Grand Teton’ all my life, from motel-names, to the whole park, to the different versions of the same cheesy photo in every gallery in town; its omnipresence makes it a target,” he said.

The Sjol family and close friend Sean Butcher set off to conquer the Grand and did so with the help of the Exum Guide Company. The company requires two days of training in Grand Teton National Park previous to the ascent, so on Aug. 5, 2005 the conditioning began.

In addition to their normal hiking and climbing regimes, their training with Exum involved minor roped in climbs, a repel and various bouldering exercises. “Those two days were pretty fun,” Jessie said. “I definitely had some soreness in the muscles that I seldom use, but after them (the preparation days), we felt ready.”

Aug. 8 came rapidly, and the family’s

The Grand Teton. The looming destination for many climbing enthusiasts. The challenge put to the test by many Jackson Hole natives. The conquered landscape for many tourists.

The hike, that is considered difficult and challenging climb by many, didn’t stop the Sjol family during their 2005 ascent. With unexpected dangers looming, Jessie, Jordan and Lynette Sjol pursued the adventure that had been years in the making.

Each member of this family had different reasons for attempting their Grand adventure, but the importance laid in them doing it together.

Jordan, then 15-years-old, previously tried the climb the Grand with another group was unable to complete the journey; he wanted another crack at it. Jessie, then 17-years-old, had had aspirations about the Grand since she was young. Their mother, Lynette, worked at the high school cafeteria and has dreamed for the day to come when she could summit the Grand.

“We’d been going hiking since before we could walk on our own with her [Lynette] up in the park and around the valley,” Jessie said. Since the Sjol family has been hiking together for more than a decade, Jessie said the desire to conquer the Grand was a natural progression in their lives as a family.

Being up there with my family was amazing. Seeing the valley from a whole new perspective was absolutely exhilarating.

spring 2008 33

expectations started to grow.“I had this idea in my head that it

was going to be a magical experience: the hike with my family and one of my best friends, my first major climbing experience outside the gym, reaching the top of one of the tallest mountains in Wyoming and the picturesque views from the summit,” Jessie said.

Jessie said she expected it would be a difficult hike with a mediocre climb, and didn’t expect problems reaching the summit or the descent.

With a concern on how fast Lynette would be able to hike, the group discussed this possible setback before the climb, and everyone understood.

“I knew they could have practically flown up the mountain without me, but they were all very gracious and never

complained to me or urged me to hurry,” Lynette said.

They spent the first day progressing up the 8-mile hike with a 5,000-foot vertical succession to Lower Saddle.

Upon arriving at Lower Saddle the group stopped to eat dinner, which was a feast consisting of dehydrated hikers’ noodles. Jordan and Sean discovered their play place: the glacier residing on Lower Saddle, and proceeded to make a bunch of little snowmen. After snowballs were pitched the group watched the sunset and slipped into their sleeping bags. The calm settled into the frigid night.

“It was not easy to sleep up there with the wind blowing all night. And even inside the tent they had for us, it was pretty cold,” Jessie said.

After a rough night, the group arose at 3 a.m. to the smell of oatmeal and the intent to finish the ascent before any afternoon storms ruin their chance of reaching the summit.

Five hours later, they conquered the Grand.

The view, they collaboratively agreed, was the most rewarding part of the experience. They said standing at the top, seeing the Jackson Hole valley from 13, 770 feet up was breathtaking. For miles upon miles, the group got a glimpse of the natural landscape that the valley is known for. They saw the morning glow and the stunning presence of the majestic scenery.

“We were able to see a geyser erupt from the summit,” Jessie said, “It was amazing!”

Jordan and Sean enjoy a snowball fight at the Lower Saddle of the Grand Teton

Photographs courtesy of the Sjol family

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The group spent a victorious 20 minutes on top, took pictures and made a few phone calls to boast about their accomplishments.

The group’s joy vanished as Lynette suddenly took a fall down the rocky mountainside.

“Not just a fall, though, she slipped off the edge of a 15-foot drop and, luckily landed on a flat rock,” Jessie said.

Lynette said her boots were slick after walking through some water and upon stepping around a boulder, her foot slipped.

She free fell off the treacherous cliff. “The next thing I knew I was rolling

like a log downhill,” Lynette said, “ I heard Jessie yell, ‘Mom!’ and I saw a flat white rock below me.” After hearing a “clunk” of her helmet hitting the rock she realized that blood was dripping from her forehead. There was also a large blood circle on the knees of her pants.

No one expected a fall, let alone

a slight scratch on the hand. No one expected blood to be shed. No one expected the terror filled moments that were to follow.

“Initially, a cold bolt of terror gripped my entire body,” Jessie said. “Seeing my mom fall off the side of a mountain was something that I never really expected.”

After the fall, Lynette was luckily able to move.

“Everything was so busy that I didn’t really have the time to get flustered until we got her down, and I underestimated the extent of her injury, perhaps through some form of denial,” Jordan said.

Lynette said she realized her foot and ankle were swollen and bruised, which made it extremely painful to walk on. Her knee “was split open like a ripe watermelon that had been dropped,” she said.

She needed professional medical attention to take care of her injuries.

Their guide helped her down to Lower Saddle which took an excruciating

40 minutes to descend. Help was called and another hour and a half later a helicopter flew her to the parking lot where she met the ambulance.

“By the time the helicopter came to get her, mom was laughing and joking around, so on the way down I was pretty secure in knowing that she’d be just fine,” Jessie said.

Jordan, Jessie and Sean finished the hike and were down before dark.

Even after the accident, Jessie said it was a worthwhile trip. “Seeing the view from the top of the Grand was the highlight of the trip. Being up there with my family was amazing. Seeing the valley from a whole new perspective was absolutely exhilarating,” she said.

Lynette said she agreed that summiting was the best part. “Being on top of the world with Jessie and Jordan and sharing such an unforgettable adventure!”

Would they do it again?The view from the top was

Left to Right: Lynette, Jordan, Sean and Jessie

spring 2008 35

astounding, but was it worth the fall? The hike was rewarding, but was the cold night worth the wait?

“Absolutely,” Jessie said. “What I would change is obviously not have my mom fall and hurt herself.”

Though disappointed that she didn’t get to finish the hike, Lynette said she would do it again, “minus the fall and the helicopter ride!”

Though the Grand Teton may seem too technical for the average outdoor enthusiast, Jordan said he suggests this expedition. “It’s not something out of most people’s reach, and I’d suggest it to anyone who wants to climb,” he said.

After all was said and done, the Sjol’s were able to summit a 13,770-foot mountain. A misstep was made, bur Jordan said this adventure is one that will be imprinted in his family’s memory forever. “A story to tell, a claim to be able to make, an enjoyable couple of days, a great view, and a memory.”

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DEPARTURE