After moving to Teton Valley, Tami Haas set her sights on a true mountain challenge — climbing the Grand Teton. With the help of Wright Training and months of focused preparation, she built the strength, confidence, and endurance needed to take it on. Here’s what Tami shared about her experience training for — and conquering — the Grand.
1. What made you want to climb the Grand? After moving to the area just about a year ago, my neighbors and I started talking about what adventures we could take on in our new backyard. The idea of climbing the Grand Teton came up in conversation and started to sound like a real possibility. When we finally secured our spots for the climb, it went from being just a fun idea to something very real — and we decided we were all in!
2. How did you train? Once we signed up for the climb in March, my neighbor recommended Wright Training. Crystal’s classes were specifically designed to strengthen and prepare our bodies for the physical and mental demands of the climb. The workouts pushed me to build endurance, balance, and stability in ways I hadn’t before. Living in Teton Valley was also a huge advantage — we had endless opportunities to get outside and hike trails of all levels, which became an extension of our training and helped us get used to the elevation and terrain.
3. What do you feel paid off most in the training? The biggest payoff was the confidence I built through consistent training. Each week I could feel myself getting stronger, moving more efficiently, and tackling workouts that once felt intimidating. That progress carried over to the mountain — I trusted my body, my footing, and my mindset. Improving my overall performance through training gave me the mental strength to keep going when things got tough.
4. How did you fuel and feel going to the lower saddle? I kept my energy up by drinking plenty of water and eating small amounts throughout the climb — nuts, protein bars, and even some beef jerky I made myself. I felt surprisingly great all the way to the lower saddle! The weather was perfect — sunny and clear — and I remember just feeling grateful to be there, surrounded by those incredible views and knowing all the training had brought me to that moment.
5. Not a lot of people went for the climb with those conditions. Tell me about that. The conditions were definitely challenging and something the guides took very seriously. When they decided it was safe enough to proceed, I chose to trust their experience and go for it. Looking back, if I’d known how icy the route really was, I might have hesitated — but I’m glad I didn’t. The guides were absolutely incredible. They were patient, encouraging, and calm through every icy stretch and every misstep I made. Their support made all the difference in getting to the top safely.
6. What was the high? The ultimate high was definitely reaching the summit — especially given the icy conditions. There were moments along the way when I looked up and thought, how on earth am I going to get up that? But then I’d take a breath, remember my training, and just focus on one move at a time. Reaching the top felt surreal. The training had paid off not just physically, but mentally — it gave me the flexibility and focus I needed to stay calm and capable in tough conditions.
7. The low: The low point was definitely the ice — it was everywhere! Every step required focus and caution. But even with that challenge, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I’d absolutely do it again… though next time, I might aim for July and hope for a little less ice!
Tami’s journey up the Grand is a perfect example of what consistent, intentional training can do. She gained not only the physical ability to reach the summit but also the mindset to push through tough conditions and trust her preparation. Her story is a reminder that with the right training and determination, big goals really are within reach.
