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Hey y'all. I'm planning to run up the Grand on the 24th via the full Exum Ridge but know that winter is holding on in Wyoming. Anyone been up in that area recently to know how things are looking on Exum or Owen Spalding? Or do you guys know of any places to check for more up to date status reports?

The climbing rangers post reports throughout the season at https://www.instagram.com/jennylakerangers/. This is from July 7: "Several snow/icy spots on the Upper Exum route and Grand Teton descent, but almost all avoidable. Experienced climbers will not require the use of an axe or crampons".

martinleroux wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 12:09 pm The climbing rangers post reports throughout the season at https://www.instagram.com/jennylakerangers/. This is from July 7: "Several snow/icy spots on the Upper Exum route and Grand Teton descent, but almost all avoidable. Experienced climbers will not require the use of an axe or crampons".

Thanks! This is a great resource to have. Looks like some microspikes needed at least.

I did the Upper Exum on 7/5. There was a bit of ice in places in the wind tunnel area and in the west leaning chimney but it was still doable in approach shoes, despite limiting hold choice a bit. Aside from those places, the Exum ridge was pretty much entirely dry. The standard descent had a few small snowfields, and the ledges near the Sargent's Chimney rappel and the Owen rappel were a bit icy, but are still easily accessible. A group we met who attempted the OS on 7/4 said that the Owen chimney was sort of an ice climb at that point. The approach had one steeper snowfield right below the lower saddle (in addition to many non-consequential ones) where some might want an axe, but it's probably not necessary. Obviously all this info will be outdated by the time of your climb, but there's a good chance that it will be drier by then.

Thank you for this post and update. This is a climb I would like to do this year.