Climbing the Grand Teton | Owen Spalding Route | Grand Teton National Park

We climbed the Grand Teton in Grand Teton National Park via the Owen Spalding Route. This mountain is very exposed and climbing equipment is recommended, even on the Owen Spalding Route. The hike starts on the Lupine Trailhead and goes up to Garnet Canyon, stay to the hiker's right of Spalding Falls which will eventually lead you to the fixed ropes or the Middle Teton Glacier. Straight above the Middle Teton Glacier is the Lower Saddle where you can camp. We made a two day trip out of our hike and we did camp at the lower saddle of the Grand Teton.
From the lower saddle it gets up to a 5.3 or 5.4 climb in some spots. I thought the sketchiest parts were the chimneys. The belly roll and the crawl will get your heart going, but they are not that bad. I advise to bring a rope, and you will be glad you did so you can make the rappel down on the descent. Make sure you read up on how long you need in rope size in order to make the rappel.
Check out Jon's video of our hike: • CLIMB THE GRAND TETON,...
Please show your support by subscribing to my channel, and by liking and commenting on this video!
Huge thanks to Jon Farrell and his channel, Our Million Adventures, for the collab. It was a lot of fun and a long awaited goal of ours. Please subscribe to Jon's Channel.
SUBSCRIBE: OUR MILLION ADVENTURES
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Credits:
DJI Osmo Filmer: Jon Farrell
DSLR Filmer: Jon Farrell
GoPro Hero 8 Filmer: Dan Noakes
Audio and Sound Mixing: Mark Noakes
Editing: Dan Noakes
Script: Dan Noakes
Narration: Dan Noakes
Hikers: Jon Farrell & Dan Noakes

[@OurMillionAdventures]

WOOOOH! That intro is epic man! The video came out so good! This was such a blast! We need to do another collab next time we are in the area. Till then stay safe on all your epic adventures my friend!

[@DanNoakes]

I loved your video.

[@OurMillionAdventures]

@@DanNoakes Mine was definitely the long winded edit, lol! Just too much good footage to let it sit on the hard drive. It was so fun to share footage and get both perspectives. Those super wide shots with your hero 8 are killer!

[@wyattoutlaw2370]

I’m sure there a ppl that thought they could easily free solo this peak …but died horribly because they were careless.

[@billblackwell675]

I lived in Jackson Hole for about 10 years , and I was always awe struck by this mountain range, only God himself could create something this beautiful

[@paulmelnyk6897]

Jackson Hole is a very beautiful place!!!

[@dustwinddude]

I did the Grand via the Owen Spaulding route in 1987. Thanks for bringing back some awesome memories!

[@thievingx]

this was really well made, you deserve way more recognition. keep at it!!

[@DanNoakes]

Super nice of you to say. Thank you.

[@sasquatch6772]

Of course he does, next he’s probably gonna climb Everest, he needs lots of recongnition dude, this is a life thing, 44 people had died climbing Teton a lot

[@ErikFullmer]

That's one way to stay in shape for the winter! Dang that was some beautiful scenery.

[@DanNoakes]

It’s all about staying in shape for winter. Nothing beats winter

[@NoOverhead]

That was absolutely outstanding.

[@revelswitch]

This was so great. I’ve climbed the grand once when I was a kid, then soloed last summer, then did it again with my nephew a month ago. Brutal mtn. We were pretty alt zonked this last trip. Stomach for some reason but we made it and it was hard to appreciate at the time but this vid helped immensely. It’s a rough hill. Thanks!!

[@mountainwanderer]

Great video, Dan! Always such great quality and pleasure to watch!

[@DanNoakes]

You are so nice. I appreciate it. Thank you!

[@MrRyguy2112]

I've climbed some steep and sketchy trails in my day, but nothing like that! Respect sirs.

[@zachbrown1902]

I just climbed to the Lower saddle today and I’m 14

[@milesscott8364]

I can only imagine what the way down the chimney is like! Got my palms sweating just watching. Great video!

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks 👍

[@michellenoakes6257]

Wow, another great video! Keep them coming!

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks hunjamin. Rim to rim to rim is next. Come!

[@jeffreypennjohnson]

Excellent video, editing and music! Really captures the feeling of being there. I climbed this route with my brother a few years ago; this is one of the best videos I've seen of the climb!

[@DanNoakes]

That was really nice of you to say. Thank you. By the way, you are really talented, I checked out some of your videos and your website briefly, and you have a lot of great work.

[@GeorgeLoch]

Wow. What a personal victory!

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks George. I appreciate that.

[@AdamHMortimer]

Amazing, I am sitting here looking at the Grand Teton as I write this. It is an inspiring mountain to say the least! What a view from the top!!!

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks Adam

[@alyssadegroot6282]

I’m climbing this in less than a month!!! I am so excited, nervous…. But excited. This video got my heart and juices pumping!

[@DanNoakes]

I hope it goes well for you!

[@rewsircogburn]

Great video as usual Dan! I have only ever done this mountain as a single day push from Lupine Meadows, I’d like to try camping at the upper saddle one day made it look luxurious!

[@Fun_in_retrospect]

Great beta! Thanks!

[@JordanGreenPNW]

Great video Dan! Planning on attempting this climb in the fall, looks epic.

[@DanNoakes]

Thank you!

[@benjaminhartshorn2333]

Not going to lie, my stomach turned a little watching you climb The Grand Teton. Congratulations on the accomplishment Dan.

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks brother! I appreciate it. It was good to talk with you yesterday.

[@hikingcloud]

Wow, so beautifully shot🤟🏻 take me with you next time😃

[@gpasquin]

Nice job Dan! That looks amazing! On my list too, but need more climbing experience!

[@DanNoakes]

Nothing outside of your abilities.

[@danielray1558]

I’ve been planning on climbing this for 18 years. Cool to see your video on it! Hope you’re well

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks, you too!

[@nickdelatorre827]

Gonna try to summit this this summer! Looks amazing

[@DanNoakes]

Nice. It is a bit scary up top there, so be prepared for sure. Really satisfying to get to the top and down.

[@rhylestrausbaugh435]

This is awesome man, doing this climb in a few weeks!

[@craigkosters716]

Pretty cool guys

[@nathanelliott2894]

Great video

[@DanNoakes]

Thank you Nathan, I appreciate that.

[@gdaytoyamates8391]

I'm going to the Tetons this summer, and I'm going to hike up the Middle Teton, as the belly slide on the Grand is a little too spooky for me. I'm so gunna do it eventually though! You get a subscribe from me.

[@DanNoakes]

Sounds like a great plan, please follow up with me when you climb it! I want to hear how it went.

[@happycamper8895]

Another great video. Just finished watching it on Jon's channel. Maybe next time you'll take the snow field, would have liked to see what challenges that entails.

[@DanNoakes]

We did glissade down the snowfield. It was a disaster but we made it out safe. I might post a raw video of Jon coming down from his glissade. It makes me laugh every time watching it.

[@mattfarrell6631]

Great video Dan! Wish I could have been there, but it was probably too intense for me.

[@DanNoakes]

Nah, you would have been fine.

[@danieb4273]

My legs turned to rubber just watching this! And yes the grand tetons will not disappoint, they take your breath away at every turn.

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks for watching! I was beat after this hike, my legs turned to jello for sure.

[@danieb4273]

@@DanNoakes um my rubber legs were out of fear not out of exhaustion! You guys are BRAVE! !!!

[@DanNoakes]

@@danieb4273 I hear you!

[@lukebecker7195]

Awesome video! I visited the grand Teton a few years ago and wondered what it would be like to climb it.

[@DanNoakes]

If you go back and climb it, follow up with me, would love to hear how it went.

[@dougrowe11]

Bro that looks so crazy. Wish I was there

[@DanNoakes]

I wish you were too.

[@natecba1]

Very nice work! I’ve done that route two times and the first time was without ropes which I will NEVER do again!

[@DanNoakes]

I agree! I know a lot of people who are willing to just casually go up there, I am all about the ropes now after having done it.

[@steveglauser9313]

So cool that Jon Farrell is wearing a Yale hat!

[@DanNoakes]

Is this comment sarcastic?

[@steveglauser9313]

@@DanNoakes Yes (go Utes!). Thanks for the great video! I'm climbing it in two weekends and your footage got me pumped. I shared it with my crew. Well done and thank you!

[@DanNoakes]

@@steveglauser9313 I figured once I clicked on your channel and saw an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with a U shirt. Good luck on the hike! Enjoy it, be safe.

[@rodras58]

All I could think about was you two little squirts climbing Mt. Whitney so many years ago, and now you are doing the big time. Great videos the both of you. BTW, I would have thought after glissading Whitney you would have at least used ice axes on that part. HAHA. Nice work men.

[@DanNoakes]

I will always remember hiking Whitney, and camping right above Guitar lake, and peeing on the rocks that slopes towards another lake, and you throwing rocks at me telling me to stop peeing right there cause my pee would go in our drinking water haha.

[@martinianogarcia9167]

Woow that's rad!!! me dio miedito XD congrats!

[@DanNoakes]

Me dio miedo a mi también.

[@drewbaum]

Damn I was out on lupine meadows for back in late June right after they reopened... never saw any bears or elk :/ came from Indiana

[@thelostcompass]

This is awesome man!! We are putting together our film right now!

[@DanNoakes]

Cool! I watched the first episode. It was well done! I’ll keep in touch.

[@thelostcompass]

Dan Noakes always appreciated!

[@confiteordeo3863]

Incredible footage. No need for the dramatic music, the vidéo is dramatic as it is and the best thing about the mountain is the silence

[@sasquatch6772]

You gotta take me up this thing

[@pauledwards1157]

My one attempt at the Grand, I got iced off on the Owens Spalding traverse…in August. I was on a guided trip and the guides said no. That was 20 years ago and it still hurts to know I got that close and not summit.

[@joe9345]

That’s cool. I’m planning on a winter accent here in the next month if I can find somebody to go with lol

[@sendmorecondor]

Super well made! A good mix of excitement, story, cinematic shots. The voice over really made it adding context. The music felt a bit over the top at points but that's just me. But when you cut to black and the music stops right before you start the belly roll.... That moment hit really good. I'd like to make similar videos but maybe I don't execute as well. What you made here was really quality!

[@DanNoakes]

I checked out your channel, you have really good stuff. If you ever want to collaborate let me know.

[@sendmorecondor]

@@DanNoakes I might be moving out to Jackson. You are in Idaho area? I'll keep you in mind!

[@DanNoakes]

@@sendmorecondor Yes, I am in Idaho.

[@drewbaum]

When I was there back at the end of June there was no way to the lower saddle that didn’t involve long stretches snowfield crossing. It Made the boulder field easy, but was a pain in the ass when it starts to get more inclined. Ended up turning around about half way up to the lower saddle. It took us 3 hours to get to that point from the meadows (granted one of our guys was having issues with the altitude). At that rate we would be summiting at about 7pm and would get back to the car at LM Trailhead around midnight. Something we didn’t want since we had hotel checkout the next morning... going back solo the first weekend of October hopefully with better results this time Around!

[@DanNoakes]

You will get it! October might be snowy too if we get storms rolling through. Won't be a lot of snow but could be a dusting.

[@drewbaum]

Dan Noakes Thanks. Might see about pushing it up into September then!

[@DanNoakes]

I’m following up. Did you make plans to climb it this month?

[@drewbaum]

Dan Noakes yes I did!! I will be out there the 17th thru the 21st weather permitting!

[@DanNoakes]

@@drewbaum Awesome! I really hope the weather is clear for you. Let me know how it goes.

[@tharvala1231]

Great video, Dan! Planning ski descent next? Were you on top scoping out what it would have been like for Bill 49yrs ago?

[@DanNoakes]

I would poo my pants skiing it.

[@Massimo_332]

great video. are you the guide for this peak?

[@alehax27]

The route finding to the upper saddle is not obvious at all and yet it's not well documented. When I did it, this was the trickiest part. The rest was easy to follow

[@artherladett442]

Is there no way to rope up for the exposed section!

[@scottkillian5831]

Thanks for the video, it was fantastic. Question for you, was there much/any exposure from trailhead to the saddle where you camped? I love hiking, but have issues with cliffs and wonder if I could at least trek to the saddle without losing my ish.

[@DanNoakes]

There is one little section where you can either cross a snow field or go up fixed ropes to the lower saddle. The fixed ropes are much easier and there are plenty of ledges to climb up. It is really not that bad to get to the lower saddle where we camped.

[@scottkillian5831]

Dope! Thanks for the reply, super helpful. Your video is rad.

[@MrBradshaw]

The grizzly bear was cool

[@MrBradshaw]

Super exposed! I don’t think I could have finished.

[@brycebastian]

Great video! How was it climbing down? Did you repel off the summit?

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks Bryce. We didn't rappel from the summit, we did rappel from a couple of different spots coming down. One was at a chimney close to the top, and another was the main rappel that went all the way down to the upper saddle. If you need details on it I can get more specific, just let me know.

[@chasebastian1675]

@@DanNoakes Dan, phenomenal video! I am friends with Jon's younger brother, Jason Farrell. Bryce and I are thinking about making a summit attempt of the Grand. We have a few questions. First, did you and John have to make any of your own anchors during the ascent? Are there any fixed anchors/bolts? We own ropes, harnesses, quick draws, and rappel/belay devices but do not have any gear to make our own anchors. Would we need that type of equipment in order to safely make it to the summit? Any information about what equipment you brought with you/used would be much appreciated!

[@DanNoakes]

@@chasebastian1675 You can free solo it on the Owen Spalding Route, but it is super exposed, but people do it all the time. When I say super exposed, I mean really steep, if you fall you could die heaven forbid. There are some anchors for rapells on the route, I believe there is two, one at the top of Sargent's Chimney and one for the main rappel on the way down. I would recommend getting a few cams, and you should be fine in case you need to use it. It never hurts to bring them up, especially if you already have quick draws. Make sure your rope is at least 70 meters for the way down. Double check on the height of the main rap down on this website wyomingwhiskey.blogspot.com/p/the-grand-tetons-owen-spalding-route.html You don't have to rappel down, but it is nice after having summited. The Grand Teton is not a scramble, it is rock climbing. I I were to do it again, I would bring cams and quickdraws for sure.

[@peterwatson8295]

Great storytelling! What does your camera setup look like?

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks. My setup is a GoPro Hero 8. That is it. Nothing more. On this edit, Jon brought two cameras, a Sony a6000 or something like that, I don't know what lens he has, and then the Osmo DJI action camera.

[@peterwatson8295]

@@DanNoakes nice, so all the shots in this were on the hero 8? It does a much better job showing perspective than most gopros I've seen!

[@DanNoakes]

No, for this video I used some of the footage Jon took with his DSLR. Most of my 12er videos were shot on the Hero 8

[@peterwatson8295]

@@DanNoakes ok, right on

[@crosshairs3]

Class 20 scramble

[@runswithbeer]

Damn this is making me sweat. I cannot handle the exposures.

[@DanNoakes]

The exposure is real. It gets your heart going.

[@anthonygibson3133]

anyone else's palms start sweating watching this?

[@jamesb7651]

Veteran of several mins in US Rainer the highest I do not fear heights but,man, the belly troll section I dunno

[@sasquatch6772]

You deserve this and can you take me up it, I have climbed Devils Tower and I want to climb this thing now and I’m 12

[@DanNoakes]

I saw your channel. It looks like you are more skilled than me. I think you can do it!

[@sasquatch6772]

I ain’t more skilled than you but could you take me up it

[@sasquatch6772]

I wanted Will to take me up but he hasn’t responded I wanted to climb it before more snow comes

[@DanNoakes]

@@sasquatch6772 Who is Will?

[@sasquatch6772]

@@DanNoakes he’s a climber he climbs Devils Tower and the Tetons

[@moonunit7756]

Bro climbing the ye mountains

[@korischroeder6695]

black bear

[@thelostcompass]

Epic Episode! Love what your channel has going on!🏔🔥💚 We’d appreciate the follow back!

[@735outdoor]

Seems like too much rock climbing for me 😅

[@WalkingTaco]

Recommend muting this one.

[@ericchristian4057]

Great video

[@DanNoakes]

Thanks Eric! I really appreciate it.