Grand Teton National Park

Cascade Canyon - Kodak Portra 800

In a defiant act of early teen independence I declared that I was going to the Tetons to go camping… on my own. The heat of anger crawled up my face as I was told that I was indeed not going to do that as a 15 year old. I launched into what was no doubt a measured and reasonable reply of why they were wrong, but to no avail. 

Life is so unfair.

Grand Teton National Park - Kodak Portra 800

Fast forward almost a decade later and the family of the girl I was dating invited me along on their vacation to the Grand Teton National Park. Although I didn’t camp on that trip I remember feeling that pull to go further into the mountains. That trip was the first of a half dozen trips that took me into the backcountry. I’m not going to wax poetic about the grandeur of the park but I can say that to me… the park has been a place of grounding and recovery.

GTNP Backcountry circa 2005

At some point the annual trips slowed to where it had been almost 12 years since I last visited. I blame the children. Regardless, this summer was the culmination of a difficult year and the need to escape was non-negotiable. So my wife, youngest son and I retreated back to the Tetons. Although we didn’t venture far into the backcountry, the sense of returning to a place charged with thirty years of meaning and memories was palpable.

Teton Valley - Kodak Ektapan 400

I’m not sure if my knees can carry me and a pack over the mountains anymore… I hope to get at least one more backcountry trip in before that question turns into reality. I am grateful for places like this where you can return and where time isn’t measured as much as it is felt.

Prints available upon request - joerhubers@gmail.com