Cathedral Traverse // The Most Difficult Traverse So Far

It’s hard to believe that people do the whole grand traverse, both cathedral and cloud veil, faster then it took us to complete just the cathedral. Makes me wish I would have stuck with climbing. The cathedral traverse is no joke. Most of the traverses on this channel have been scrambles for runners this was climbing. At least for me. The fkt’s are held by people who SOLO the north face. A prospects that instantly gets my forearms pumped and turns my mouth dry. It took us five years to get around to finishing the first half of the Grand Traverse and I can honestly say I was glad we put it off. In those intervening years between the cloud veil and the cathedral I learned to be more comfortable with exposure and I also improved my climbing by a barely perceptible degree. But it was just enough as you’ll see.

[@Ryanhelpmeunderstand]

I think you’ve earned the title of intermediate amateur after this one.

[@silasmarner7586]

That's what I keep telling him in the comments!

[@jtg2525]

You mean mediocre intermediate

[@paulmelde919]

@@jtg2525 Advanced Mediocre

[@devonbailiff]

@@jtg2525 mediocre-er

[@jasonbean4895]

above average for sure!

[@emfritz82]

That was neither mediocre nor amateur. Amazing route. Thanks for taking us along!

[@ForzaMonkey]

well, above-par professionals doesn't sound nearly as catchy, but yeah, these guys are awesome.

[@vasocreta]

Often we focus so much on the ascent, but let's not neglect the down climbing skills on display here. Really impressive route.

[@simongeisker7502]

Wow that mountain shadow at 17:26

[@arjunski]

10/10 episode. This is seriously a contender for best Mediocre Amateur video if not one of the best outdoor videos on KZbin!

[@beeclimbing9954]

Nah, for a 10/10 episode we need the whole crew (Christophe, Matt & Blake as well), at least 1 good 5 min rant from Danny and them trying to beat sundown back to the car/truck as well as them having a fab day out. It becomes an 11 episode if additionally we also have Matt asking about whose got the bear spray ;-)

[@silasmarner7586]

@@beeclimbing9954 I agree, and he has to barf at least once!

[@arjunski]

@@beeclimbing9954 Can't argue with that logic! Gotta miss the good old days of Mediocre Amateur!

[@jeffrodeback8390]

Every once in a while I watch one of your videos and think, "I might have been able to do that." This was NOT one of those times. Beautiful footage. Thanks for putting in the effort it took to film it.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Danny: “By the time we’re at the Second Ledge, we’re basically at the car.” Me (every time I reach the point of exhaustion on a hike): “Same, Danny. Same.”

[@davidstruve7554]

Danny is approaching Jimmy Chin territory with his beautiful cinematography.

[@jbilly24]

That summit scene made me go slack jaw for a good minute...what a day!

[@bboss8048]

Got to get these guys above 100K. Danny and the crew deserve it and they certainly earned it.

[@AlexanderHalaszyn]

I srsly don't understand why they aren't' there yet!

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

@@AlexanderHalaszyn not everyone likes to be reminded of how much time they're wasting sitting on the couch.

[@offroad605]

Getting so close to 100k

[@connormccullough6090]

Sunset coming down to the upper saddle.. Beautiful but you know it's a long day when you start and end in the dark!

[@bradleykelsey5156]

Yes!!! A Mediocre Amateur day are the BEST days!

[@AlexanderHalaszyn]

Not only has Danny's climbing somewhat improved over the past 5 years, but the editing of these videos is reaching a pretty insane level. A real pleasure to watch and instant-stoke-fuel.

[@darren6110]

The drumbeat intro always puts in a great mood. Absolutely love this channel...all time fav.

[@austinado16]

When I think about everything it takes to pull this one off, from planning, to trust in each other, to friendship, to fitness........It blows my mind, A LOT!! Great job guys!! Wow!

[@P90Puma]

LOOK AT THAT VIEW/LIKE RATIO. Almost as awesome as the crew in the video. 11/10.

[@pnw8836]

Have never understood how people handle this exposure. I would be terrified lol.

[@McGirr5799]

Honestly a lot of my climbing partners started the same, its a thing that mileage fixes over time

[@EM-ol6rb]

I’m terrified just watching this from sea level

[@rubenjohnson7376]

Sure sign that Danny is exhausted: no descent footage or narration. That's a long day. I did the Grand Traverse once by camping on the saddle after the Cathedral and then finishing the Cloudveil on day 2 and it was a blast. Not having to do that interminable descent from the saddle was so relieving, it actually felt like a gift to be able to sleep and then finish then next day even with the extra peaks

[@paxundpeace9970]

Still would have liked some footage from the trailhead seeing them back on save grounds.

[@kendestine9905]

I follow many channels but this is the only one I have set to ALL notifications. I watch every video as soon as I can. You guys are so inspirational. Keep up the great work!

[@poutinedream5066]

All my subs are set on all notifications. I thought that was how you do it 🤷🏽‍♀️🤣🤣🤣

[@kathyp2197]

Love the comment-“nice” at 6:09 as you were scaling gneiss rocks! Amazing climbing and great memories.

[@TraintoSummit]

You must be so content in life. Having such close friends that you can do this must make the job and life responsibilities much more manageable. You have a great balance in life and I'm extremely happy for you dudes😊

[@silasmarner7586]

Once again, next level effort, amazing climbing, incredible videography.

[@redskins1120]

I’m not even there, but I get all dizzy and anxious watching them. I’m terrified of heights, but love this channel.

[@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm]

Wow! That was so unbelievably breathtaking. The views and the geology were some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. There is nothing mediocre or amateur about your channel, I love it.👍

[@jakollee]

Yes, some highly metamorphosed gneisses!

[@papajon62]

Lots of exposure. The rock looks nice and grippy though. Chase: that was fun! Me: I feel anxious!

[@nickradner5325]

I honestly can't sy enough good things about you guys. Time to get a slot on Rogan. And..I missed Chtistophe's commentary on this one....gotta say it....lol

[@maximusair]

Adding my comment to help with the algorithm. More people need to see this video, it's amazingly shot and all of you are great at what you do.

[@jbhann]

It’s a sad reality that great wholesome content like this receives just a fraction of the attention, compared to disgusting and demoralizing content that’s promoted and pushed by youtube.

[@InBonesWeTrust]

That was the least amateur video I have ever witnessed. 😳 Wow! Amazing video.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

It's such a treat to not be editing my own adventure videos but to sit, relax and watch this. Owen isn't messing around with that summit.

[@RaoulDukeSr]

These vids are super enjoyable, beauty views, great info and commentary, and perfect music. Thanks for all the great work !

[@alaskan_bergwanderer]

This is one of the most striking traverses I've seen you dudes do yet! Amazing!

[@user-sk9hl7si7l]

damn 😲😲😲 and i got vertigo on freakin tampanogo summit lol,this would be no go for me.you guys killin it.

[@PhatPat6069]

Those exposed moves on those ledges before the notch look so sketchy! You guys never cease to amaze!

[@gygantor360]

Man, I was gripping my chair the whole time on this one!!! A M A Z I N G. You guys are bad SOB's.

[@ChrisWColeman]

I missed the ‘car to car’ style of this one. I really enjoy seeing the gear load out and route discussion at the beginning. Then the group debrief at the end. Yes - this one is all the adventure and less of the fluff - but I’m here for the fluff. Don’t skip the logistical stuff, we want to see it all!

[@marc.8100]

0:00 the start is beautifully made. Direct action shot, short explanation of the situation and a quick montage of the climb. i love it

[@deadrick]

Absolute legends

[@adventureswithsammy7154]

Joy of life, thank you taking us along.

[@brianharder7714]

You guys are killing me talking about route finding being the crux while following someone else's Strava segment. I'm dying. It was different before the internet. Still an amazing outing and you guys got it on a splendid Teton morning.

[@hurricanearrow]

DAMMIT I had somewhere I needed to be in 20 minutes.

[@singlespeedcrossbike]

Yeah that looked hard. As I watched this video from my rower your obvious pain allowed me to relegate my discomfort as insignificant and only slightly distracting. You guys are badass.

[@motolitho1]

Next time I'm in the mountains, I am going to hear this music... starting to like it.

[@erictriplett33]

Wow, you took us to the Cathedral church of Rock! So amazing you guys!

[@WhereKentWent]

Looks like an exposure filled day! Glad you guys made it home safely. Those huge shadows at the end were so cool.

[@jasonwooden]

Very nicely done! When you were about to give up summitting Owen I was muttering "NO! Use the chimney around the corner on the west face!!!". Glad you figured it out, you would have hated yourself later when all the comments came flooding in like "So, you really didn't do the Cathedral Traverse, did you?" 😂

[@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm]

I just sub to your channel. I figured with your comment you might have some good content on it. Looking forward to checking out some of your adventures.

[@jasonwooden]

@@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm Ha! You'll be disappointed. Owen is about the most epic peak I've summited (and I didn't have a GoPro back then). I am definitely a level or two below the MA crew.

[@ItaiGanor]

Bloody Amazing!!! Best Channel on KZbin, the views. the editing and the people!! amazing job :D

[@NickFlanik]

been living in Jackson hole for the season, wish I crossed paths with you once ! you are one of my idols to keep progressing with hiking, exploring, mountaineering, etc. ! thanks for all the inspiration !

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

Wow. That looked insane. I'm not a climber, but I'm in awe of you guys. This channel deserves to blow up.

[@nickmarchiando6358]

my man!!! ive been re-watching your adventures this week and now you drop this! thank you!

[@diostejastierras7898]

This just made my day! *Take Care & Safe Travels Everyone!*

[@sharondavis8003]

You guys are PROS with nerves of steel. 😮 Love watching you climb great heights from the safety of flat earth. Be safe! 👍🏻🙋🏼‍♀️👏🏻

[@pagewhite8177]

Wow, spectacular! Just gorgeous! The views, the rock faces, the climb, the videography, fantastic! Great musical choices, loved the cathedral theme. Thank you for another wonderful video!

[@adithyabhat3381]

Amazing and scary as usual. The intro music instantly brings joy.

[@janamax0704]

Wonderful J. S. Bach part halfway through the video! 🙏 Thank you for the great content. Greetings from Germany!

[@sea_turtle_adventures]

Flipp'n awesome. If you guys are amateurs, then I don't even fit on the scale. That was so epic. Personally, with those heights and exposures, there is no way I could will myself to do it. Insane.

[@greggstrauss3939]

Another terrific video from my favorite Chanel. Plenty of great camera angels and love the climbing!.

[@Fellmandave1]

Danny, that was Gripping, iced in irony and beautifully filmed. Salut!

[@ghoul14]

Every time an MA vid drops I already know what Im watching while I warmup to train. Thanks for keeping the stoke alive!

[@koalakyle19]

You still need to bring back the yesterday song!!

[@Ausaini17]

As a fellow Aaron in real life, risk taking is just what Aarons do. We’re just good at it though

[@stevenmcdabbin7652]

Probably my favorite non winter episode 👏 I've gotten into rock scrambling and traverses this year and this is next level inspiration

[@ronw7667]

Did the east ridge of the Grand in ~ '79. Thanks for the wonderful gneiss memories!

[@spicee1000]

With a group of Mediocre Amateurs that changes from adventure to adventure, it reminds me of another great troupe of adventurers: Danny -> Mo Christoff -> Larry Blake -> Curly Erin -> Shemp Chase -> Jo Where's Curly been since his brief reprisal of his role? And how is Larry's hip recovery going? When will we see either of these two again?

[@toddb20]

Like the tickle of organ music at the end, a nice touch... Chase always looks so fit, wonder how he does it. I need a training video from these guys.

[@enigma9548]

You guys are killing it. Thank you for the inspiration

[@RobertKusicki]

You guys are on a different level! Much love!

[@dylanwooding3416]

What an incredible route and impressive filming / editing. You guys are living the dream!

[@david9192]

Love watching you guys. Love your channel. ❤️

[@garrett_RL]

Yeehaw! Strong day. Beta is everything on this route. My first time doing the cathedral traverse took my party 22.5 hrs car to car. Climbing the north ridge of the Grand in the cold windy shadows is a bit of a stoke suck. The second time I did it as part of the grand traverse and it took us a little over 12 hrs to reach to top of the grand! Climbing the north ridge in the warmth of the sun is a whole different beast! Also, holy cow the Koven is dry. Last year the snow hadn’t receded as much and my partner and I ended up down climbing into the Koven by fist and foot jamming the crack formed between the rock and ice. Sketchiest part of the whole day. Thanks for the video!!!! I had to sit this summer out due to a knee injury so watching this got me psyched for next year!

[@gmckemie4281]

Most intense MA ever. Always great to eat breakfast while watching these.

[@tahirrazzaq9494]

wow!! y'all keep delivering! damn that was a fun video to watch! I really could have kept watching it for like another 20 minutes. didn't feel long enough!

[@jahedberg]

Awesome video - Most stunning traverse around!

[@hansjosiasse2989]

Beautiful film. Love watching it !!!

[@Teranova]

This climb looks amazing! Great footage, you guys were cooking through a lot of those areas!

[@ata1811]

Greetings from Glasgow, Scotland. You guys are truly inspiring. OMG! Stunning views and magic moves! Loving all tour videos! Be safe and keep going!!

[@SomebodyOrNobodyIDK]

Just stumbled on your channel and I’m absolutely digging the videos and what yall do. Absolutely sick camera work and love the adventures

[@spencerhorton7994]

Fantastic hike guys! You’re brave🙏👌

[@alehax27]

I’m a happy boi when I see new vids pop up for this channel

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

Unreal. Keep it up guys. This is the type of stuff my buddy and I would do back around 2004-08. Mt. Hood and all surrounding peaks, Mt. Adams and all surrounding peaks, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Jefferson and surrounding peaks, the Three Sisters and surrounding peaks, et al. We called it the Poindexter Endurance Project (not sure why he came up with that). I'll never forget running up Mt. Defiance in the middle of the winter in a blizzard in waste deep snow with only my MSR Denali snowshoes and making it to the radio tower on the top. It was pretty brutal with that wind, snow and cold! Another one was running up Mt. St. Helens in July of 2004 a week before she blew again (it was subsequently closed until 2007). We ran up it in three hours flat and I almost fell in when we got to the top! Then we had a blast, albeit painful, skiing down on our boots. I actually proposed to my wife on top of the South Sister in Bend. Made her work for that ring! Now in Idaho, I have plans to hit all the peaks here, Wyoming and Montana.

[@beeclimbing9954]

Great documentary of a great day out guys! Glad it was you and not me, some of that loose rock on the ascents and descents of notches would not have found me in my happy place ;-) Kudos on the down climbing! Never easy and always unsettling when unroped.

[@kevinw1129]

Wow, what a great day’s scrambling and climbing.

[@whollymary7406]

I love the Cathedral peaks thanks for sharing your adventures

[@benc.8103]

That was a great job. So good I felt like I was there with you. I guess I did the climb to then. Scratch that off my bucket list.

[@stepsforthesoul]

Your best video yet. So impressive. Loved all the footage throughout super sketchy areas. Well done boys!

[@chetrocket]

Gotta be hard to get those shots in those areas!

[@normiewoo787]

That was amazing. Thanks for the great content.

[@Dangerstophe]

most binge worth channel! you're gonna blow up one day

[@Mars_Life_and_Beings]

Thanks for another great video. jeesh you guys looked cold. nice and varied terrain. looks like a long one.

[@10mileman]

I could feel the pain and cold in Danny's face at 14:50

[@ticklefritz5406]

Sensational! Great job with the light/slight music. Beautiful day, very entertaining. I want you to point out where you were more often. Like, "that's Mt. Owen behind me".

[@ZonDog]

Fantastic footage of some gnarly exposure!

[@schaerem]

Fantastic video! Keep them coming.

[@jurian89]

This looks awesome (and way outside my personal comfort zone)! You guys should consider coming to the Dolomites for some more epic scrambling!

[@sarahmarie_e]

Holy f*ck! What an sick vlog! You truly captured the reality of doing something epic - amazing but often grueling! So inspired to get out there

[@cal4666]

My favorite video yet! Beautiful!

[@clintroberts5917]

Another keeper. I'm also looking at this. Nice work

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

THE ONLY good thing about COVID was sittin' on my arse' cause my work was shut down and finding MA. Instant sub and immediately watched them all!!

[@dlanska]

Amazing. Great videography, and -- wow -- doing that while actually climbing this! It's hard to find words to say how great this was.

[@chetrocket]

I agree dlanska you can’t put it in words

[@cherylbenish3274]

Watching this one made me wonder if your parents watch your crazy adventures. They would have a hard time I’m sure. Great video!

[@mattfroeming640]

88,000 views & only 3,100 likes? That's just criminal! Awesome video!

[@bartonpopenoe]

Great episode. Really inspiring.