Grand Teton
August 24-29, 2025

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Skill Level:
Previous climbing experience required

Level 1

Accessibility Rating:
1 = Least Accessible
5 = Most Accessible

Rock Climbing

Category:
Rock Climbing

Bunkhouse

Lodging:
Bunkhouse

Group Size

Group Size:
10

COST: Free For Veterans

Spaces for this trip are limited and we will be opening up an application process to pick this year’s team.  Applications will be open from Febrary 24th through March 24th.  Applying does not guarantee a spot on the trip.  We will notify applicants of our team decisions by April 8th.  A $100 deposit will be collected at the time of registration after the team has been selected and will be refunded upon program arrival.  This trip is grant dependent.

VF Foundation Logo 

This trip is made possible thanks to generous contributions from the VF Foundation and Exum Mountain Guides.

OVERVIEW

Join Paradox Sports for a trip of a lifetime!  As the adaptive climbing leader, Paradox Sports is providing an amazing climbing opportunity on the Grand Teton, Wyoming! This program is offered exclusively to Veterans at no cost.  As one of the most iconic climbing destinations in the U.S. the Grand Teton trip offers our Veterans an opportunity to advance their climbing skills, overcome physical and mental challenges and will serve as a catalyst for forging lasting relationships. Our goal is to build community and facilitate a transformational climbing experience!

This classic climb is a 4-day program in partnership with Exum Mountain Guides – where you will receive 2 days of group instruction, followed by 2 days of alpine climbing on the Grand Teton. During our 2 days of group instruction, all team members will be taught the skills necessary to fully participate in our attempt of the Grand Teton. These skills include: bouldering, scrambling, multi-pitch climbing techniques, rappelling, knots, and rope management.

Our expedition will be based out of the American Alpine Club’s Teton Climbers Ranch, nestled in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. Our main objective is the summit of the park’s namesake and centerpiece, Grand Teton. Towering over the valley at 13,770 feet, “The Grand” is one of the most iconic peaks in the U.S. and a highly coveted summit requiring physical endurance and mental toughness alike. Our climb starts at Jenny Lake, and follows Garnet Canyon for approximately 7 miles and 5,000+ vertical feet to the Lower Saddle, where the team will spend a night at Exum Mountain Guides climbers hut. The next morning, following a pre-dawn departure, our team will make its push to the summit through an additional 2,000 vertical feet of technical and exposed terrain, using all of the skills developed during training. From the summit, we will descend all the way back to the valley and return to the AAC Climbers Ranch that same day. This is a very strenuous trip and will provide the opportunity to push your limits, both physically and mentally.

ACCESSIBILITY

This is a strenuous program and is rated our most difficult. The approach to the climb is varied, but is generally characterized as being rough, uneven trails with rocks, boulders, stone steps, sand and gravel. The trails are typical “able bodied” climber trails with limited development in regards to ensuring total accessibility. Depending on mobility level, the approach can vary drastically in terms of time. The approach is varied and steep, however, participants will have ample support in traveling over this terrain by staff and guides. Participants need a good base level of fitness andcomfort traveling in this type of terrain. If you have limited mobility, and have questions on the approach/accessibility, please contact us.
Paradox Sports strives to serve all individuals regardless of ability, and encourages individuals considering this program to review our Essential Eligibility Criteria here. If you have specific questions about this program, please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org.

TRIP SCHEDULE

The program will start and end in Jackson Hole, WY
  • Day 1 – Travel Day and Welcome Dinner
  • Day 2 – Alpine Climbing Training Day #1
  • Day 3 – Alpine Climbing Training Day #2
  • Day 4 – Climb Day #1, Jenny Lake to Lower Saddle
  • Day 5 – Climb Day #2, Lower Saddle to Grand Teton Summit,then full descent and return to AAC Climbers Ranch followed by Celebration Dinner
  • Day 6 – Travel Day

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Climbers:

Pre-requisites for this program include; some outdoor experience, introductory understanding and experience with rock climbing, ability to self-care in outdoor environment. The Grand Teton is an alpine rock climbing route, moderate in nature. However, this trip requires excellent physical fitness and a high level of self-care i.e. cold weather, hydration, sun exposure. Upon completion of your application, we will review and reach out to discuss pre-requisites in more detail.

During our training days we will be staying at AAC’s Climbers Ranch. We will then hike to the Lower Saddle and spend a night in Exum Mountain Guides’ climbing hut. Individuals should be prepared to bring their own sleeping bags, pads, pillows, etc for the ranch but Exum will provide these at the hut. A full equipment list will be provided and Paradox has some gear available to loan, if requested.

All participants will have a set amount of travel expenses covered to and from the event as well as during the weekend (exact amount TBD based on grant funding). Air travel expenses will be reimbursed after program completion.  All travel arrangements should fly in and out of Jackson Hole airport. A shuttle will be provided from the airport to the climbers ranch.

We encourage climbers to bring their own personal gear if possible, including a harness, helmet, and approach shoes. All group gear, including ropes, anchor material, etc. will be provided. Paradox Sports has a limited range of gear available to loan.  If you need to borrow anything, please indicate this in your registration. Once accepted, all participants will received a detailed Trip Welcome Packet with full equipment list and packing suggestions.

All meals and snacks will be provided by Paradox Sports. We make a best effort to accommodate as many dietary restrictions as possible, but cannot guarantee against cross-contamination in cases of severe allergies. If you have severe allergies, please let us know what these are on your registration form.

What’s Included:

•    Professional guides and instruction through Exum Mountain Guides
•    Airfare stipend will be covered through a reimbursement up to a set amount (exact amount TBD based on grant funding)
•    Camping and Guide Fees
•    All meals will be provided
•    All rock climbing equipment will be provided

What’s Not Included:

•   Guardian / Partner registrations: Each registration is for one individual only.  Due to grant funding and the nature of this program, we’re unable to accomodate plus ones in the form of climbing assistant registrations.
•   Alcohol is not included, and not permitted while on Paradox Sports programs.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of this program, Paradox Sports has a no pets policy.  If you have any questions about this, please send us an email at info@paradoxsports.org.
*Note: Please be advised that alpine climbing trips include risks for your service animal including, but not limited to, extreme weather, falling and loose rocks, inpassable areas, and more.  If a staff member or guide encourages you to leave your dog at home, it is out of safety concern for your animal due to the dangers listed above. 

We have a cancellation policy to ensure the maximum number of climbers can attend and spots do not go unused.

If you cancel:

•  Due to the significant costs associated with this program, deposits will be non-refundable for any cancellations made within 45 days of the trip start date. This expedition requires a high level of fitness and dedication, and while we will make every effort to fill any vacated spots, we cannot guarantee a replacement.
•  Any travel expenses incurred by participants prior to cancellation will not be reimbursed.

*If you are asked to leave any Paradox Sports event by staff due to inappropriate behavior, you will not be refunded any fees in association with the trip or event, no matter the duration that you were in attendance. 

Questions? Please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org

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