A series to share #smiles across our community through the achievements of our local youth, brought to you by Olsen Orthodontics.
(Fremont County, WY) – From July 16th-19th, four Fremont County kiddos prepared for and summited the Grand Teton, the tallest and most iconic peak of the Teton Range in Wyoming.
Jessica Baron, Aidan Jones, Garrick McDonald, and Shayla Babbits were chosen for the Jim Ratz Climb the Grand Scholarship by the WyoClimbers Education Committee, from over dozens of applications submitted by Fremont County 8th-11th graders.
Each spring, high schoolers from around the county apply for this scholarship by describing the reasons why they want to reach this goal, overcoming life’s challenges, and their general passions for our community and the outdoors.
The four-day trek was shared with three other youths and two guides from Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, where they experienced variable weather conditions and difficult alpine terrain at high altitude.
On the first day, the kiddos met the guides at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, then hiked to Corbet High Camp.
On the second day they received training and climb/rappel instruction, which prepared them for Summit Day the following morning.
“It was nothing like I imagined it to be, and such a good experience. The guides made it so much fun, and it was great to meet some new people as well,” stated Lander scholarship recipient Shayla Babbits.
The WyoClimbers Education Committee is overseen by Education Committee Leader Becca Meier, Executive Director Josie McKee, and acting Board Chair Charlie Manganiello.
“WyoClimbers is incredibly passionate to provide this opportunity and others throughout the year for Fremont County youth to get outdoors, experience rock climbing, and learn from each other,” Meier comments.
Check out some of the awesome photos shared by Aiden and Jessica!
