Gannett Peak, WY-SplitEdition

Players: Tele-brothers: Chris and Tim Weydeveld, AT: RandoSteve Romeo, and Wysplit_ride

Destination: Wind River Mountains-Gannett Peak, Wyoming’s highest summit with a 16 mile one-way approach via Cold Springs and Native American guide dropping us off at the trailhead for a hefty fee. Total miles approx. 40

Photos: Steve Romeo, Wysplit_ride

Thanks to: http://www.backcountry.com for the great gear and support, and to Steve, Chris, and Tim for making this a fun trip.

A western start to a western trip. The RandoRig with practice bucking bull barrel and Wind River Mtn. Range:

Steve and Chris sorting gear out at the Cold Springs trailhead:

Our first obstacle, five miles and 2000 feet over Scenic Pass to Ink Wells:

Steve crests over Scenic Pass:

Tim and Steve catching first views of Gannett Peak’s north side and Gannett glacier.

Our original goal was to make it to high camp in one day instead of two, but we had to take two days due to marginal snow in Dinwoody drainage with many, many transitions between skinning and carrying boards. Finally at basecamp on the Dinwoody and Gannett Creek confluence gearing up for summit day:

We decided to make an attempt for the summit at 2:30 am the next morning after our two day approach. The weather seemed to be shifting and getting windy when we turned in for the night.

Morning came and the winds were fierce, but we were greeted to a clear sky when we started skinning for the Gooseneck Glacier and Gannett Peak in the background:

Soon we were ready to crampon up, but clouds were quickly moving in and covering the summit ridge and summit. It wasn’t looking good:

There seemed to be little pockets in the weather, so we decided to boot up to the Gooseneck Pinnacle and summit ridge. We would decide then if the summit (in clouds to the right) would be possible. Time to cowboy up:

Chris, Steve, and Tim at the top of Gooseneck Pinnacle checking the situation:

The clouds would offer little breaks, so we decided to push for the summit:

Soon the summit was near. Chris and Steve making the final steps to the top of Wyoming with grins:

Chris, Steve, and Tim doing the summit dance on Gannett Peak:

With more weather moving in, we didn’t waste any time strapping in for a fun ride down. Wysplit_ride checks his line down to the Pinnacle:

Romeo getting his jump turn on with huge cliffs lurking beneath:

Tele-Tim getting his groove on:

Chris skimming his way down to Gooseneck couloir:

Wysplit_ride loving this line:

RandoSteve getting ready to drop Gooseneck Couloir:

Tim getting down on the lower flanks of the mountain:

It was a great day on the mountain, fantastic company, and some of the most amazing country I have ever been in. Please stay tuned for some more June stoke from this area.