The Teton Climbers’ Coalition (TCC) is working on two stewardship projects of interest to local climbers.
On July 29, the local climbing organization, led by stewardship director Chris Owen, will complete the work it began last year on Rodeo Wall.
On August 26, the TCC will help build a new access trail for the Hoback Shield.
Both projects are being done in coordination with the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF).
Last year, in a project made possible by the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, Teton Mountaineering, The American Alpine Club, Access Fund and BTNF, the TCC coordinated an Adopt-A-Crag project on Rodeo Wall. Fifteen volunteers built a new retaining wall at the base of the crag. Additionally, volunteers widened the access trail’s upper section, and installed straw erosion control blankets over informal, user-created trails to prevent further erosion and damage of habitat.
An article on the project appeared in the Jackson Hole News & Guide here. The July 29 Rodeo Wall Adopt-A-Crag will finish the work initiated in 2020.
The Hoback Wall Adopt-A-Crag project is also a priority this summer for the TCC.
Earlier this year, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) informed the BTNF of their intention to place guardrails on the highway at the base of the Hoback Shield, one of Jackson Hole’s premier climbing crags.
Placement of the guardrails will eliminate the parking pullout used by climbers to access the cliff.
A screenshot of the Hoback Shield. The red line is the highway, along which climbers currently park to access the cliff. The green rectangle and green line indicate the locations of the new parking lot and access trails.
To help develop a new access trail, the TCC and BTNF will coordinate a volunteer effort to expand the historic snowmobile parking on the plateau just northwest of the Granite Creek junction near the sled dog tour building.
From there, the project will develop an old trail and connect it to the existing access trail to the base of the cliff.
The project will also close and rehab the first three switchbacks of the old trail.
Those who enjoy climbing at Rodeo Wall or Hoback Shield and are encouraged to volunteer by emailing the TCC at info@tetonclimbers.com.