25 Short, a first taste of the Tetons

My first Teton summit, reason to celebrate

The climb was a proper slog, our lungs seem to have been filled with barbed wire and badgers, we were huffing and coughing our way up the 1000 verts that separates the trailhead from the summit of 25 short. Why is a mountain called 25 short one might rightfully wonder. In old money, it is 9975 feet high, which is 25 short of 10k. Very American.

Anyways, the summit gave us a lot to ponder about, spectacular views over Avalance Canyon, guarded by Nez Perce and Shadow Peak.

Lines all over the place

We found a nice NE aspect to ski, mellow gradients around 30°, sparse trees with nice meadows and a couple of decimeters of dusty powder on a fast base. Maybe for being here the conditions were not top notch, but we made do as best as we could.

Andrea enjoying herself. I love the way the snow hangs in the air from the last several turns. Maybe that's why its called cold smoke?

A man in an orange jacket waving his arms around.

1000 vert of nice turns and about 5k of pretend nordic skiing on the flat later we were back in the car and heading home to Jackson. Awesome day Andrea and thanks for the pics!

On our way home to Jackson, tired but happy. Jackson Hole is a HUGE flat valley with the Tetons rising as a wall to the west. Further north lies Yellowstone, I guess I have to go there too at some point.