Vesper Peak — Tuesday, May. 27, 2025

Parked at 9:30am - the road was very smooth compared to last year (Last year I had to park .2 miles b4 the TH). 

1 party of 5 dudes had just finished (they started at midnight) and made it to headlee pass.

the dog we brought was super athletic and ran circles around us, except for the 3rd creek crossing.  Dog had to be carried across.  The 1st two crossings we were able to keep our feet dry.  The 3rd crossing we walked straight through with running water up to our knees.  

lots of snow in the basin.  We stayed on trail and were checking the gps every 10 minutes to make sure we were still on track in the hopes we would not make the same mistake as the earlier trip reporters.  

we put on crampons and used ice axes to get up to headlee pass.  We made it about 1/4 mile past the pass (had another 1/4 mile to get to Vesper).  We stopped d/t that dang rock field was 1/2 melted out.  We hated being on that loose rock crap, on a slant, and hated more being on the snow that would post hole to the crap rock.  Also we didn’t want to feel super rushed on the way back (our safety call was for 7pm).  

I was able to walk down from headlee pass - the snow was mushy, but not too mushy.  Sometimes I glissaded for short bursts.  My friend struggled feeling comfortable on the way down.  But we stuck together and hopefully she will be up for this crazy stuff again.    

we made it back to the car at 6:15pm.  

Sunscreen, gps, hiking pole, ice axe, and crampons were a must for us. 

I wear shorts….unless I’m glissading, then I put pants on.