Kelly Halpin, Bree Buckley Endure Ultimate Moranic Sufferfest

The Teton range offers up its fair share of challenges for elite athletes and adventurers, but few outings equal the sheer lunacy of the Moranic. Epitomizing the word sufferfest, Jackson local Bree Buckley defines it as a "triathlon with a mountain stuck in the middle of it." 

The route includes a 25 mile bike ride from Jackson into Grand Teton National Park, a two mile swim across Leigh Lake, a 5,500 foot ascent up Mt. Moran, then the whole thing in reverse. Quite simply — it sucks. 

RELATED: 6 Peaks, 42 Hours – How One Skier Spends A Summer Weekend

Last summer, artist Kelly Halpin and Buckley attempted the Moranic, and in association with Unicorn Picnic, they chronicled their misery over the course of 34 hours. Along the way, the women experienced the full range of human emotions while discovering their own physical limits, and pushing beyond. 

I promised myself if I made it to shore I could throw up. And I did. A lot

Asked at the end of her quest if she would do it again, a deadpanning Buckley calmly said: "No," with zero hesitation. 

After backstroking across Leigh Lake in the middle of the night for two hours, a belligerently exhausted Halpin explained that she had to set small, simple goals in order to push through the challenge.

"I promised myself if I made it to shore I could throw up," she said. "And I did. A lot."

Buckley and Halpin with Mt. Moran in the background. Unicorn Picnic photo. Kelly Halpin cover illustration.