The Grand Teton Picnic (or Grand Teton Triathlon) is an iconic centerpiece of Jackson Hole mountain culture. Thought up and first completed by David Gonzales who wrote of its beginnings on his website, “After considering the possibilities while celebrating a birthday on the Grand, and then making a few thwarted attempts, I completed the first Grand Teton Picnic in 2012, biking 23 miles from Jackson’s town square to Jenny Lake, swimming 1.3 miles across Jenny, and hiking and climbing 10 miles to the top of the 13,775-foot Grand Teton. I returned the same way, including swimming back across the lake, and by the time I biked into the square after midnight, I’d been moving for almost 24 hours. What a picnic. Fortunately I’d brought extra pizza and jelly beans.
” Since its inception in 2012, it has drawn mountain triathletes from all around the country, and even the world to complete this challenge in under 24 hours or to vye for the fastest time.
Check out this very well done video of Kelly Halpin’s first-female completion of “The Picnic”...it will get you inspired!
What is the Grand Teton Picnic?
Simply put it is a human-powered mountain triathlon.
What are the directions?
1. biking 23 miles from Jackson’s town square to Jenny Lake
2. Swim 1.3 miles through the center* of Jenny Lake
3. Climb to the summit of Grand Teton
4. Reverse the climb back to the lake
5. Reverse the swim back to your bike
6. Bike back to Jackson’s town square
*be sure to read this note from the Gonzales on his vision for the swim route
Gonzales notes on style can be seen here
What does Gonzales say is the real heart and soul here?
“For me, it’s a celebration of human propulsion,” he says.
Get out there and celebrate!
History of “Fastest Known Times” on The Grand Teton Picnic:
Male: Adam Wirth doing it in 11 hours and 12 minutes, unsupported
Female: Julia Heemstra finishing it in 14 hours and 47 minutes, solo and unsupported
*Future marks should surpass these
Media of the route and history:
https://thepicnic.us/?page_id=282
https://www.outsideonline.com/video/picnic-teton-triathlon/
https://www.cyclingutah.com/racing/multisport/the-off-the-couch-teton-picnic-an-adventure-filled-triathlon/
http://www.mountainonline.com/grand-picnic-julia-heemstra-tetons-wyoming/
https://www.adventure-journal.com/2017/05/not-average-walk-park/
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/21/rock-climb-snow-and-no-prizes-is-the-gtt-the-worlds-hardest-triathlon
https://www.jacksonhole.com/blog/the-picnic-by-jim-ryan/
http://www.wyomom.com/210183185634426880
Other Prominent Picnic Routes:
Yosemite Picnic Triathlon
Shasta Picnic Triathlon
Moronic & Moranic Picnics
Grand Traverse Picnic - By Ryan Burke in 2017 - traversing thirteen Tetons and swimming twice across Jenny Lake in two days.
Connect with the route founder David Gonzales via his website or instagram
Submitted by Jason Hardrath (STRAVA, IG or FB)
