People Have Died Climbing This Wyoming Mountain

Located in the Wind River Range of Wyoming is the highest peak in Wyoming, Gannett Peak, which stands at 13,809 feet (4,209 meters). Climbing it is considered very difficult. The best times to attempt a climb are in July and August. That's when the weather is best, and there is little chance of snow on top.

It's hard enough to get to, much less climb. There are some videos below of people who have made this journey.

People have also died climbing Gannet Peak.

Back in 2023, a 24-year-old climber named Jason Graves died after a fall while descending from the summit. Rescuers from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office and the Jenny Lake Climbing Rangers recovered his body on the glacier below. (Jackson Hole News & Guide)

2021: An anesthesiologist and Cheyenne resident, Thor Hallingbye, died following an accidental fall near the Gannett Glacier area at nearly 13,000 feet. (Powell Tribune).

Additional fatal falls and incidents occurring over the decades (including in 1993, 2007, 2015, and 2018) were caused by steep cliffs, loose rocks, and extreme terrain.

The video below is a complete guide for getting to and climbing the peak. But it might be a good idea to find people who have done it before and talk to them about the challenges.

So let's take a look at how to get there. Gannet Peak is the highest point in Wyoming. This mountaineering approach from the East is the standard approach to Gannet Peak. This is not just some average afternoon hike. It is considered a technical route that requires specialized gear, glacier and snow travel.

There are also sections of technical Class 3+ rock scrambling. Mountaineering training for both snow and alpine conditions is essential to attempting this route. Even experienced mountain people will need several days to complete this part of the trip.

Do you know how to ice climb and hike? Not just straight up, but across. Above treeline, the path fades into moraines and low-angled glacier slabs leading toward the summit. This mapped route should be used as a guide only.

Do not just go because you think you can. You'll need some training for this leg of the journey.