May 19, 2012, - Vesper Peak

Road is driveable about 1.2 miles before the snow patches were too tall but I guess mid next week it will be clear another half mile or so (to where the road turns east).

We booted from the car until crossing the North ridge of Morning Star Peak and gaining the valley.  Once on trail, the third creek crossing was running high.  We had to find a better way and it was about 50 feet above the standard crossing.  Here the groups behind us caught up and we met Khahn, Toby, Luna Tuna, and Jonas and Pedro.  Once we gained the valley toward Headlee Pass everyone transitioned but Chris continued to boot up in his leather boots on supportable crust.

The rest of the way to the summit was straight-forward.  There was still a pretty good sized cornice on top of Headlee Pass with some signs of partial collapse.

Skied down around 3pm under pretty good conditions.  Somewhat grabby and mushy in spots but otherwise a really fun ski on excellent corn snow!

Here are the rest of the pictures: http://radkaandchris.smugmug.com/Skiing/Vesper-Peak-6214-ft-May-19/23079370_P86kMQ