Going for Gannett

I’m going for a speed mission to Gannett Peak in the Wind River Mountains with Julia today. The plan is to leave Jackson at 4am Monday morning, and drive to the Green River Lakes trailhead. We should be able to move pretty fast on the road at that time, so we are hoping to be on the Highline Trail by 6am.

Click HERE for larger image of route
to Gannett Peak from Three Forks Park

We will follow the Highline Trail for 10-12 miles, running when we can, and when we get to Three Forks Park we will then go off trail and head up Tourist Creek. After climbing 3000′, we will pass Lake 11,085 (Shoal Lake?) on our way over to Scott Lake. The path of least resistance will bring us to Minor Glacier and a quick crossing to the West Couloir and then on to the North Ridge. A short climb on blocky 5^th class rock will bring us to the 13,804′ summit, highest in Wyoming.

The plan is to do this all in the first day and then bivy somewhere on the way down, running back out to the car the next day. It’s about 20 miles from the car to the summit, so we will probably go about 25 miles on the first day. I’ve done this trip with Jay Petervary before, and it went pretty smooth, except for the brief snow squall before summiting. I’m going to carry a stove this time; with Jay…I didn’t, so the pack will be a bit heavier. Still relatively light though and it weighed in at under 12 pounds without food or water, so I’m guessing near twenty when fully loaded. This is what I’m carrying.

Backpack-Grivel Alpine Light 28L
Sleeping Bag-Marmot Hydrogen w/ compression sack
Sleeping Pad-Thermarest Ultralight ¾
Bivy Sack-Adventure Medical Heatsheets Bivy
Stove-MSR Pocket Rocket (w/ lighter)
Pot-MSR Titanium
Ice Axe-Camp XLA
Headlamp-Black Diamond Spot
Rain Jacket-Marmot Exum Jacket
Rain Pants-Marmot Full-Zip Precip Pants
Insulation-Patagonia Puff-Ball Jacket
Fleece Hat
Fleece Gloves
Extra Socks
Camera and Mini-Tripod
Small Roll of Duct Tape
Toiletries-Contact Case, TP, Ear Plugs, Lip Balm, Mini-Toothbrush and Paste.
Water Purification Tablets
Suunto X6HR
Sunglasses
Map

From the start, I will be wearing a long sleeve base layer and some running tights over lightweight shorts, so I can strip down if it gets warm. Maybe bring a trekking pole, I’ll make that call at the trailhead. The weather looks a little bit iffy, I think 30% chance of some weather, but we are hoping for the best and giving it a go. There should be some signs of life around here on Weds. Ciao for now!!!