Jake's Takes: The Curious Case of Fairfield Hill

Jake's Takes: The Curious Case of Fairfield Hill

The sun had set many hours ago and it was bitterly cold. The haunting moan of the wind crept through the walls adding to my sense of existential dread. It was past midnight and I was wide awake because there was something deeply disturbing on my mind. The more and more I thought about it, the more sickening it became. I stared out the window with my palm on the icy pane. Through the glass I saw a blizzard of blowing snow turning everything into an unforgiving tundra. In my reflection I see that insomnia has brought dark circles under my eyes. I heard footsteps behind me as my wife wrapped a blanket over my shoulders.

May Fundraising efforts and more WIMS news

May Fundraising efforts and more WIMS news

Our commitment to fundraise for Lander Community Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Fund will continue through May!

Community is at the heart of Wild Iris Mountain Sports. With your help, we will continue to support Lander Community Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Fund. Your entire purchase price of $10 for the Kuhl ceramic mug or $20 for the Corkcicle tumbler goes to the fund - as does 5% of every gift card purchase made in May. Thank you for supporting Wild Iris and our community.

Virtual Spring Fling Fundraising Event- Purchase a Gift Card

Virtual Spring Fling Fundraising Event- Purchase a Gift Card

Hey Everyone, first of all, we hope everyone is staying safe and optimistic for the future during these crazy times.

Secondly, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has purchased a gift card and t-shirt. We usually host a spring fundraising event but these are unusual times. Last year we raised $3000 at our Spring Fling event and we hope to meet or exceed this with your help. So far, we have raised just under $1,000 which is amazing! We will be donating to the Lander Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Relief Fund.

How You Can Support Your Local Gear Shop

How You Can Support Your Local Gear Shop

Wild Iris Mountain Sports is celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and we need your help to celebrate and find a way forward during this time of uncertainty.

Share your Wild Iris Story

Share your Wild Iris Story

Wild iris Mountain Sports turns 30 this year! Celebrate with us by telling a story about any Wild Iris Mountain Sports experience you've had over the last 30 years and you'll be entered to win a $50 gift card!

Calling all CREATIVES!

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Calling all CREATIVES!

Attention Creatives!

Wild Iris is turning 30 years old in 2020! We’re hosting a commemorative logo competition and are so excited to see what you all have to offer! Entries are due September 25th

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Road, trail and climbing areas report - May 19, 2019

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Road, trail and climbing areas report - May 19, 2019

Of course Sinks has been good for recreation all winter. Climbers have enjoyed great weather most weekends on the sunny walls.  

Middle Fork trail to the falls continues to be a very popular hike. Always be aware of moose in the area when using this trail. We estimate snow line is somewhere between 8000 to 9000 feet.  

The Loop road is closed and will likely remain closed into June due to snow in the high country and the USFS’s resource protection mandate that governs when the roads will open. The switchbacks to the Worthen turnoff may open earlier, but no official word yet. 

Limestone Mountain Road is drivable to the snowdrifts that you will encounter either before the Aspen Glades or below main parking. Don’t park in the middle of the road!! The forest service may still need access with over the snow vehicles, so pull off to the side and be considerate.  

A few hardy and psyched climbers have enjoyed a few pitches at Wild Iris main wall and Aspen Glades, but it is still quite chilly up there and no camping sites are open yet. 

Wind River Range is buried in snow and if you are looking to get into the wilderness areas, you will most likely need skis or snowshoes to get anywhere. Boot packing would be a terrible endeavor in the current conditions above 9000 feet. We did have a couple of CDT hikers in the shop on their way north, so there are folks out there.  

Big Sandy trailhead is not accessible yet. Perhaps another 10 - 14 days without more snow, but it is snowing up there now. Don’t tear up the road as it could lead to the Forest Service keeping access closed longer in future years to protect the roads from unnecessary damage.

Dickinson Park is not accessible. Maybe early June if we get a great weather window.   Our friends at Diamond 4 Ranch are a great resource for current conditions in Dickinson park.

Trail Lakes and the Glacier trailhead is accessible and hiking to Lake Louise has been possible for a couple weeks.  

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