Ice conditions. The most-classic ice routes of Grand Teton National Park melted out for the second year in a row. The Black Ice Couloir on the Grand Teton became unclimbable in the midsummer (2003), and the ice in the Northwest Couloir of Middle Teton was mostly gone as well. Even the usually reliable Enclosure Couloir on the Grand showed gaps near the top. Rangers blamed ongoing drought and eight consecutive weeks of 90-degree heat in the Jackson area for the meltdown.

Dougald MacDonald, AAC, adapted from www.climbing.com