The Route: A four-day workshop that includes two days of basic and intermediate instruction in rope handling, belaying, repelling, and rock climbing, followed by a two-day ascent of the 13,776-foot Grand via the Owen-Spaulding, Exum, or Pownall-Gilkey routes.

When to go: June through September

Difficulty: Moderate

Travel advisory: Beginners are welcome. The two days of training get most people to the 5.5 or 5.6 level necessary for this climb. All participants should reserve rooms or campsites in Jackson or Yellowstone will in advance: Only Jackson Hole Mountain Guides provides lodging.

High/low points:

• Saving yourself 2,000 feet of knee-jarring down-climbing by sliding down Middle Teton Glacier on your bum.
• Being told by your guide after the two-day training session that you can't hack the Big One and must settle for a lesser peak.