This is an aerial shot of the most alpine wall in the Tetons. Mt Tewinot is on the left, the dark face is the north side of the Grand, the ridge between sun and shade is the North Ridge, the West Face is in sun, with the Black ice curving up beside the rock walls of the Enclosure. Black Ice Coulior. This alpine classic of North America has lost its fearsome rep. Mostly moderate grade III alpine ice, with a 20 ft. chock stone crux.
Rock fall from the standard rt.
On West face Grand Teton. Alpine ice, and exposed 5.8 on excellent rock, makes for a great day. Retreat from north face Grand. Rick Wyatt and I went up to try a difficult ice route on the left side of the north face. Three pitches up the sun started melting off large icicles so we retreated.