Pinedale, Wyoming
9/2/2023: The power of the Wind Rivers was in full force for this epic day in the Fitzpatrick Wilderness. Motivated and shared by friend Wyatt this run was completed with 150,ooo steps, 10,500 vertical feet, and 44 miles in a single 16 hour push. Spending almost the entire day above 10,ooo feet this trip was humbling in scale and scope. It was also wildly empowering with seasons of personal effort culminating in a lifelong achievement of summiting the highest point in our home state of Wyoming.
A 1am departure from Jackson put us on the trail at Elkhart at 3am in the dark. September temperatures were cool and there was a dampness in the air as we trucked our way towards Titcomb basin. We held a decent pace despite overloaded running vests and a fair amount of navigating at trail junctions. Approximately 3.5 hours and 17 miles later we were at the far end of the Titcomb lakes where the tone of the adventure shifted from running to slow, trail-less miles. Dinwoody Pass loomed ahead with a loose talus climb topping out at 12,800 feet. From Dinwoody Pass we got our first look at Gannett Peak.
Nestled in glacier this peak is seldom seen from the valley where it is obscured by the Wind River mass of high peaks. The amount of ice and snow for September was impressive and it turns out the Wind Rivers are the most heavily glaciated mountains in the US Rockies. We took our time soaking it in before descending into the Dinwoody Basin towards Gannett. Water was refilled from meltwater running off the glacier before heading up the Gooseneck Glacier towards the summit. Gaining the ridge line from the Gooseneck is where the Bergschrund lies. This frequently sited crux was easily passed perhaps made easier by a very strong snow year. Alternatives could have been made on the rock surrounding this snow climb which was how we chose to descend. Traction spikes were mandatory for this glacier travel. We also had ice axes which were not mandatory, but would have made for uncomfortable exposed climbing above the bergschrund. As we found our way across the ridge to the summit, cloud cover arrived spoiling our summit views.
Cloud cover persisted through most of the day as we worked our way back from the summit. The feeling of isolation was strong as was the understanding of how much effort was still left in the day. The distances in the Wind River mountains dwarf those of the Tetons where most of my lifetime running and climbing has occurred. Once back on regular trail at Titcomb Lakes we did a big rest and water stop to prep for the run back to Elkhart. The midday cloud cover burned off as we worked our way out shuffling a 12-15min/mile pace. I felt surprising good on the way out. Running like this really clears the mind and gives a singular sense of purpose which is a welcome relief in this day and age. Somewhere around 7pm we arrived back at the car to start the drive back home. This was the biggest output for either of us and our satisfaction was high.
Description: Moving time was 11:04:20 with a total time of 16:42:39 covering 44.44 miles and 10,587 feet of climbing. Our pace was 14:57/Mile
Beta: Gannett Peak can be done from several approaches. This routes starts from Elkhart Park on the Pole Creek Trail. At Eklund lake head north on the Seneca Lake trail until it merges with the CDT Trail at Little Seneca Lake. Follow the CDT trail into Titcomb basin where it ends just north of the lake. You are off trail from here to the summit for all but a brief moment on the Gannett Peak Trail which sporadically appears between the Dinwoody and Gooseneck Glaciers. The off trail part of the route climbs Dinwoody/Bonny Pass out of Titcomb Basin. From the pass descend onto Dinwoody Glacier, cross and then follow the Gannett Peak Trail up onto the Gooseneck Glacier. Gaining the ridge line to the summit is done on the snowfield to the lookers right of the Gooseneck Pinnacle. This is where the bergschrund can challenge your passage. It appears that this section could also be bypassed with some light 5th class climbing should the crevasse open up more.
Gear: Dynafit Ultra 100 GTX Shoes. Black Diamond Distance Spikes. Petzl Ride Ice Axe. Black Diamond Distance 15 pack. MSR Trailshot Pump.
Titcomb Lakes, Mt. Helen, Dinwoody Glacier/Dinwoody Pass, Gooseneck Above Bergschrund, Summit Ridge, Goosneck Pinnacle, Titcomb Lakes, Barbara Lake and Fremont Peak.
Member discussion: