December 1, 2009, Vesper Peak
12/1/09
WA Cascades West Slopes Central
10568
16
Ryan White and I had incredible skiing on Vesper yesterday. The Sunrise Mine road was driveable to the end. The trail up to the canyon went well too except for some crusty postholing (it'll be great now that the postholes are there). Then the travel was very quick up to Headlee Pass then around the corner and up to Vesper. The snow was perfect for skinning, and great for skiing too, being the consistency of a groomer for the most part. Very smooth. Quite a spectacular tour and it was great getting in there before the roads will close. There are many pictures taken and can be seen on:
http://www.skistories.blogspot.com
[http://www.skistories.blogspot.com/]
http://www.skistories.blogspot.com
[http://www.skistories.blogspot.com/]
Wow. Nice panorama shot. ;D
Thanks
Thanks
Terrific trip report and great pictures. Thanks very much.
Beautiful pics!!!!!!!
Thanks guys, I love that response! Get out there while the gettin's good!
Incredible pictures. High pressure and good road access for the win.
That looks much better than Bullion Basin was yesterday.
Great trip and photos Con.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Nice shots. The views were absolutely amazing the past two days. Our crew was alittle bit SE of there drooling at Glacier Peak and the Dakobeds.
Nice trip, Con! Any trouble with the creek crossing? Was it a log tightrope walk?
The creek went well. I had to lean heavily on my poles and the rocks to step on were right at the surface of the water. In the morning they were frozen too so things were a bit slippery.
Wow, great trip! That's an amazing area with a lot of possibilities.
Do you remember about what elev you switched to skins? ..curious
Do you remember about what elev you switched to skins? ..curious
We switched to skins at about 3,000 feet, just before we wrapped around into the canyon. We should have switched a little earlier though and avoid some post-holing. If I would do it again soon I'd switch pretty quickly after the last little creek crossing. Between that crossing and when the trail wraps into the canyon is the toughest stretch. If it's not too icy, I'd skin it. You'd have to go off trail though to connect the snow patches.
Cons is right, it is amazing up there. We skipped work and had a great day. Skied 1200 feet off the west side too. Two other parties made it up there based on the trip report. Thanks a bunch for posting that, it is a hard route to time and this week is perfect.
You take some great images! I really enjoyed looking at some of the photos in your blog. I think I'm gonna have to stomp up Vesper while the high pressure holds. Thanks for the TR.
Thanks for the TR, good beta, and excellent pictures on the blog!
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