Photographer Jonathan Kiraly was camping on a mountainside in Grand Teton National Park on August 10th, 2025 when he captured the following footage of a rockslide tearing down the slopes connected to the Middle Teton.
He used his inReach satellite communicator to contact a friend who relayed his message to a Grand Teton park ranger. Thankfully no one was in the path of the debris and no injuries were reported:
Jonathan Kiraly:
Major Rockslide – Grand Teton National Park 8/10/2025.
While camping at The Moraines on our way up the Grand Teton, at 8:40pm, a massive rockslide ripped off the slopes connected to the Middle Teton.
We were eating dinner right above our tent when it tore down the mountainside. Worried the slide could hit campers below at Garnet Meadows, I used my InReach to contact a friend in West Yellowstone, who relayed the info to park rangers.
Thankfully, by 10:30pm, we got word that everyone was safe and no camps were impacted. The action didn’t stop there, multiple slides followed throughout the night, some launching rocks that sparked across the scree.
Needless to say, we didn’t catch much sleep before our 4:00am alarm.
Grand Teton Rockfall Information:
Rockfalls are a common occurrence in the Teton Range and are part of the naturally dynamic environment of mountains. As a relatively young mountain range, the Tetons are still rising and actively eroding. Over long periods of time, water flowing through minute fractures decomposes rock in a process called weathering. Once a rock has been weathered, triggers such as freeze-thaw cycles, flowing water, temperature variations, vegetation growth, and other factors can cause cracks in rock to grow rapidly and possibly break free and fall.
When potential hazardous rockfalls are identified, Grand Teton National Park staff have multiple methods to monitor the situation including time-lapse cameras which allow scientists to view growth in cracks as well as any changes at 15-minute intervals. Another method used to is structure-from-motion which has recently become popular in the geosciences field. This photogrammetry technique involves taking numerous photos and high-accuracy GPS readings to develop three-dimensional models of an object. Scientists are then able to use structure-from-motion to assess how the rock may be moving and in what direction.
Grand Teton Climbing Safety:
Traveling in the mountains brings inherent risk. Risks include: lightning, rockfall, avalanches, crevasses, and extreme weather conditions (even during the summer months). Competent technique, experience, safety equipment, physical fitness, and good judgement are essential to preventing or minimizing the chances of an accident.
Altitude sickness is a common ailment for those heading up the mountains. Jackson Hole sits at around 6,500ft/1,981m, with the Teton Range rising 7,00ft/2,133m (1.5m/2.5km) above the valley. The best cure for altitude sickness is to retreat to a lower elevation.
Always check conditions before you go. The Jenny Lake Ranger Station is staffed with experienced backcountry rangers who can answer questions on routes, conditions, and other mountaineering questions.
Plan for changing conditions. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, and being unprepared could be deadly. Always bring additional layers and be prepared to turn around if conditions worsen.
Know your limits. Many peaks in the Teton Range are technical climbs and require the proper equipment and experience. Do not attempt the hardest peak first and talk to a ranger before attempting any climb in the range.
Have a plan. Do you know what to do if someone gets injured, weather changes, or the trip is taking longer than planned? Preparing before your trip will help you make a smart decision when the moment arrives. Set a turn around time and stick to it.
Bring the proper gear. A fall on steep snow and failure to self-arrest with an ice axe is the number one cause of injury and death. Whether traveling across snow or climbing a peak, bring the right gear and know how to use it.
