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29029 Jackson Hole Recap

True Grit

By 29029 Everesting

July 24^th, 2024

Nestled in the sweeping vistas of western Wyoming, Jackson Hole is a backdrop of stark contrasts and beauty.

The valley, flanked by the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountain Ranges, is more than just a gateway to adventure - it’s a proud symbol of the untamed spirit that has come to define the American West.

In Jackson, rising abruptly from the edge of town, sits Snow King Mountain. More than just a ski hill, it represents a proving ground for those seeking to test their limits.

Here, the air is a bit thinner and the terrain a bit steeper... the perfect proving ground for 29029 Jackson Hole.

Nearly 300 participants toed the start line, and with a collective breath, began to climb.

The Steepest Ascent

To summit Snow King a single time, you only needed to cover just over a mile, yet in that mile, 1559 feet of vertical was gained.

Snow King is the shortest, yet steepest ascent on the calendar.

The trail, beaten to dust by intense sun, was dusty, loose, and blown out. With grades nearing 50%, each footstep became a battle. Dusty footholds wore into the ground as each ascent ticked by, a sign of everybody fighting the same conditions.

Rugged rail tie steps were a welcome respite from the slippery dust, but with them - 127 to be exact - came even steeper grades.

If there was ever any confusion, this settled it.

This wasn’t simply hiking.

This was climbing.

This was climbing a mountain.

This was climbing towards an achievement as epic as the rough-and-tumble proving grounds it was taking place on.

Sun Scorched Slopes

It’s cliche to say, but when you’re in Jackson, you really are closer to the sun.

Beating down on the slopes, the sun’s rays felt warmer here. Another challenge - another setback - but not one that would stop you.

You kept climbing. The sun's intensity mirrored the inner fire that propelled you onwards and upwards.

You weren’t stopping.

Focused in the Moonlight

As day turned to night - as the sun dipped behind the Tetons - a calming coolness enveloped the mountain, and with it came an intense focus.

With a full moon overhead, you continued your journey to the summit, no longer hindered by the intensity of the sun.

It was a welcome change of pace, but that didn’t mean it was easy.

Time ticked on as you found yourself in a struggle of endurance.

Fighting off fatigue, you continued towards the summit, never losing sight of your goal.

Weathering the Storm

Summit Saturday brought the sort of moody mountain weather the high elevations are famous for.

A colorful sunrise gave way to wave upon wave of storm clouds.

The buffering of the sun’s rays were welcomed as cooler clouds rolled overhead, but the gondola closures were not as lauded.

On three separate occasions, lightning strikes in the surrounding hills forced the closure of the gondola.

Yet another challenge from the mountain - one that could not be controlled.

Instead of letting that get you down, you leaned on your lessons from the opening day.

You couldn’t control the ever-changing, dusty, blown-out ascent.

You couldn’t control the sun’s intense rays, baking the mountain along with everyone on it.

You couldn’t control the steepness of the steps leading toward the summit.

And you couldn’t control the storms or the gondola.

But you could control your attitude.

Instead of getting down on the situation, you found the positive.

It’s a good break for my body. It’s a chance to connect with other participants. It’s a welcome rest that will mean I’m ready to climb faster whenever the gondola restarts.

Coach Chris’s Three Reasons You’re Here

The epic backdrop of the Tetons seemed fitting for the epic stories that unfolded on the mountain.

36 hours of trials, tribulations, and triumphs had just played out in Jackson Hole.

As the sun set on those 300 epic accomplishments, Coach Chris’s words from Thursday echoed in everybody’s minds.

He laid out three reasons you may have chosen to enter 29029, which marked the beginning of your personal Everesting story.

Here are those reasons, and some stories from the slopes that exemplify them.

Curiosity

One of the reasons you may have arrived at the start line in Jackson was curiosity - a desire to learn who you are and how you react under a challenge as intense as 19 times up Snow King Mountain.

Joshua, the youngest participant on that mountain, had that curiosity.

On Friday, through a mix of heat and exertion, Joshua fell ill. Sick to his stomach, he had every excuse to give up - to give in and let the mountain come out on top.

He was about to learn how he handled such adversity…

Behind on time - well behind the Red Hat pace - Joshua woke up on Saturday morning and continued climbing.

At lunch, he started to do the math. 6 ascents stood between him and his Red Hat, with 6 hours remaining on the clock.

He made a choice, then and there, to go as fast as he could. He had his sights set on Red.

And with 5 minutes left on the clock, Joshua achieved that goal. He crowned his accomplishment with the fastest sprint down the Red Carpet that has ever been seen, and in the process, answered the question behind his curiosity.

When things get hard, Joshua steps up to the plate and tackles it head-on, and he’s got a Red Hat to prove it.

Exposing the Cracks

Another reason you may have toed the line in Jackson was to expose the cracks deep in yourself. Nothing can shine a light on your flaws like a monumental challenge.

And the best part? Once you learn about those flaws, you can start to work on patching them up.

Barbee came to Jackson Hole with a vague awareness of the cracks in her soul. The passing of a close friend had reminded Barbee that sometimes she struggled to stay present in the moment.

She knew that if she wasn't careful, life could end up passing her by. The mountain not only exposed those cracks further but more importantly, allowed her to settle into patching them.

On the mountain, one can't coast. It takes immense focus, tremendous effort, and an intense presence to summit 19 times.

Barbee leaned into that presence, and when all was said and done, not only had she continued to patch up her cracks - to become more present in her day-to-day, she had also spread her friend's ashes on the mountain - the ultimate symbolic gesture.

If Barbee ever finds herself faltering in presence, she has a Red Hat she can look to as a reminder that she has the ability to showcase immense presence in every unrepeatable moment.

Proving Integrity

Finally, you may have registered for 29029 to prove your integrity.

To prove that you are true to your word.

To prove that when you say you’ll do something, you do it.

Jackson marked Al’s 7th 29029 - a 7-event journey that was built on integrity.

When he first climbed, he told himself he was aiming for Red.

He fell short, and he told himself he wasn’t going to stop until he achieved the goal he had set out for.

Event after event, Al faced setbacks and struggles. Illnesses, injuries, deep fatigue, head games… you name it, Al experienced it over 6 mountains.

But he never faltered at staying true to his words. He would keep climbing - mountain after mountain - until he was wearing Red.

A man on a mission, Al climbed Snow King Mountain - ascent after ascent - and with just 5 minutes to spare, finally walked the Red Carpet.

Years in the making, Al proved his integrity, and he’s got the Red Hat to symbolize it.

I will do what I say I will do.

Beyond Endurance, Transformative Grit

Whether you came to Jackson to satisfy your curiosity, mend your inner fractures, or validate your integrity, the mountain unveiled a universal truth: grit isn’t just about enduring, it’s about transforming.

This true grit, reminiscent of the resilience of the original Western settlers, doesn’t end at the summit of Snow King.

It’s a testament to the enduring power of setting monumental goals and pursuing them relentlessly. As you carry forward from Jackson, remember that although the mountain is steep, your potential is boundless.

In the grand narrative of 29029, your story of perseverance on Snow King Mountain will resonate long after the trails have cleared and the dust has settled.