Mt Gannett: 4-day mountain marathon, 2002

from the mind and mouth of Tom Prigg

This entire trip was about pushing ourselves and redefining our limits. I am addicted to this kind of climbing. I cannot imagine anything less. Going light and hard. This is the only way I can find that little zone of where I may break.

Mt. Gannett is Wyoming's highest peak at 13,388 ft. tall. Listed as one of the hardest peaks to bag by the "highpointers," a club who's members' goal is to reach the "high point" of every state. Their high rating for Gannett is mainly due to a combination of the mountain and the approach it's self. Which brings us to the first challenge, a 17.5 mile approach at 10,000 feet in 85 degree weather. The summer of 2002 was abnormally hot everywhere in the country as you may recall. This had complicated things a bit. Our plan was to fly into Salt lake city, drive 5 hours at the trail head, sleep for two, hit the trail for our hell march of 17.5 miles, set up camp at Titcomb lakes, one rest day, climb and hike back out the next morning. Having to cover a 40 mile round trip with no acclimation and no real rest time gave us no room for error. Packing light and being as fit as possible were key. We would however take Diamox to help with the acclimation.