We’re pleased to announce Ryan Burke is the first recipient of the Crux Mountain Award. His project is ambitious, original, and will push the edge of his physical ability. Ryan plans to do a “Grand Finale Traverse” trip which includes mountain running and climbing over 40 different peaks in the Teton Range:
“I have been working on a project in the Tetons for the past ten years that links together various peaks and traverses large portions of the park. As a grand finale to this project I envision a traverse that extends the entire skyline ridge of the Teton Range. The starting point would be the northern-most summit in the range, Ranger Peak, and would finish at the southern-most summit in the range, Mt. Glory. After a successful traverse from Mt. Moran to Albright Peak this past summer, I believe incorporating the complete range from North to South to be the next logical step. This “Grand Finale Traverse” would summit 40 different peaks over 103 miles, with approximately 102,000 vert gain/loss, 82% of which would be off trail with scrambling ranging from Class 3 to 5.8 climbing. I would attempt the traverse during the third week in August 2016 and envision it taking seven to eight days. It would be a solo mission with food caches, besides roping up with a partner to climb North Face of the Grand.”
Congratulations, Ryan!
You can see his trip from last summer here:
Apply for the Crux Mountain Award here: http://mtntactical.com/inside-strong-swift-durable/crux-mountain-award/