Horses: The key to a great Gannett Peak Experience
April 14, 2016 | Posted in: JHMG
Climbing Gannett Peak is no walk in the park. The approach is long and you need a lot of gear; tents, sleeping pads, stoves, fuel, food, all the climbing essentials, ropes, crampons, harnesses, helmets, and enough clothing to be comfortable in any weather the Wind River Range might throw at you. While technology has made this gear lighter, the fact is that it still weighs a lot. While most clients arrive in the best shape of their lives, it is impractical to train with a 55 pound pack on our back. The result can often lead to physical exhaustion or a rolled ankle before you even get to the climbing part of the expedition. The good news is, there is a solution; the majestic beast, known as the pack horse.
Horse support is smart. The horses take the bulk of the weight, and climbers are free to approach the peak with light packs, knowing that their gear is safely being transported to base camp. There is a cost. The fee for horse support will add $300-$400 dollars to the price tag, but when you divide this cost up among the group, the cost is more manageable. JHMG recommends the folks at Bald Mountain Outfitters. They are reliable, and have over 6 decades of experience in the Wind River Range. Clients can feel confident that their gear will arrive safely and in a timely manner.
We recommend horse support for all West Side Gannett Peak climbs. The summit day on Gannett is long. You will not only need to climb the peak, but also navigate Bonneville Pass. People are usually physically taxed after summit day, and having horses carry the bulk of the load on the way out can mean the difference between a great experience and a grueling one. Plus, horses are cute and are great conversationalists on the trail.
So the lesson here is this: Horse support does not mean you are soft. It means you are smart.
If you are interested in horse support, please contact JHMG and let us arrange it for you. You will be glad you did.
[Horse photo by Tiia Monto]