We heard a report on CBC that the Black Prince tele/AT slopes were "pretty skied out" on Wednesday and so we decided to try something different. We skied up the unnamed tributary of Smith-Dorrien Creek that is south of Murray Creek (access .7 km south of Sawmill parking). There is some excellent terrain in there, but much of it was fairly wind-packed. We skied up to the col between Mt Smith-Dorrien and Hero Knob and returned the same way. As an add on:

Based on the lack of new snow observed at Black Prince and on the reports of the area being “skied off” it was decided to change our destination to Hero’s Knob in the next valley. After a slight hesitation at the open Smith- Dorrien creek where we removed skies and did a quick step to cross, we followed an existing ski track up the old forestry road to the upper valley. There was good snow in the lower half of the valley but we encountered frequent hard wind slab sections as we progressed higher which challenged even the sure footed. There was old evidence of a number of small avalanche slides off the west slope of the valley but nothing of recent nature nor did we observe any whoopfs as in the past. After a steady climb to the Hero’s Knob ridge line lunch was enjoyed in the sun. Some surface crust added a challenge to an exciting run down as some enjoyed the entire slope with wide gentle turns while others did frilly little turns straight down the slope. All survived the track down the creek drainage which proved to be quite narrow and fast in spots. The midweekers: Carl, Sheila, David, Stan, Terry c/s

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