Vermilion Peak
On Saturday, March 6 2010 I was joined by Scott Berry, JW and Janice to ski Vermillion Peak.
We had a gorgeous day and sublime mountain views but on hindsight we probably should not have chosen this particular peak for an 8 degree day... :-)
The route up was clearly marked with a very hard packed track. The snowpack had about 2 inches of solid ice crust on top with facets underneath which did not inspire confidence in either the ongoing slope stability in the warm temps or for the ski back down. We followed the up track 'til there was a split just before the pass.
Scott and I chose to follow the 'shortcut' track that traversed just under the south end of the ridge and then cut back up steeply to gain it. JW and Janice weren't planning on summitting Vermillion since JW had already done it and Janice was supposed to be learning the joys of backcountry skiing. (How'd THAT work out Janice?! :-))
The ridge was easy except for the last 200 meters or so. With a very suspect cornice on the right and a very steep slope with rock, shale and snow on our left we had to be very careful on this stretch. Scott led most of the ridge and we made it to the summit about 3 hours after leaving the car (first summit party of 2010).
We took in the amazing views for a few minutes before hastening down the softening ridge. We were a bit nervous about the slopes just under the ridge. They had settled a bit on me on the way up.
The ski run down was good for about 1000 feet before conditions deteriorated and the bottom fell out of the snowpack. Even in the trees we felt that some slopes were close to sliding. Scott set off a very small slide but it was enough to keep us off steep rolls on the way down. It was the worst skiing of my life!
The funniest moment was when I ran straight into a 2 foot diameter tree - head on!! My one wrist is sprained but that's about all the damage... ;-) Again, I would only recommend this peak if you're comfortable with an exposed and corniced ridge and can assess the avi hazards just before gaining the ridge. Also save it for a cooler day - those burnt trees can give you a real lesson in survival skiing!
Looking up at Vermilion Peak from the parking lot. Doesn't look that far!
Scott enjoys the easy ascent on the hard crusty snow. It didn't stay that supportive...
The skiing through the burn is interesting:
Haffner Peak shows up as we get closer to the pass:
Another view towards Haffner - this time on the slope just under the ridge. This slope was reactive and worried us a little bit - especially with the strong sun.
Scott follows up the slope just under the ridge:
The Goodsirs with the Rockwall show up beautifully from the ridge:
Now I'm on the ridge and Scott is following up, just below it:
Another great shot of the Goodsirs - they look amazing from this angle!
An amazing view of Stanley, Beatrice and Ball with Scott on the lower ridge (click to view full size):
Scott on the ridge:
Scott:
Scott leads the tricky final 200m to the summit. Not for the faint of heart with cliffs to the left and cornices on the right!
Scott enjoying himself on the ridge:
Tokumm Creek and some of the peaks around Moraine Lake:
Quadra and Bident:
Storm Mountain:
Castle Mountain:
Mount Whymper:
Summit panorama (click for full size):
Summit view into the Haffner Creek area with Stanley, Beatrice and Ball. Click for full size:
The Bugaboos as seen through Wolverine Pass:
Scott signs the tattered register:
Vern on the summit of Vermilion Peak:
