On reflection perhaps not the best valley for a trip with a  -23°C start as it sees no sun this time of year. We left the cars about 9:15 am and followed a well broken trail up the Commonwealth valley.



-23°C start Commonwealth creek valley - early morning light on Mount Smuts

We did eventually start breaking our own trail after the meadows / flatter terrain to climb up towards Smuts pass. The pass was, as usual, wind blown and rocky so three of the group chose to turn around just below the pass and head down to the trees for lunch. The rest of us gingerly picked our way through the rocks to the pass. We had been passed by a group of 4 moving very fast that headed for a few runs in the area below "Smutwood" peak, One line I saw I have put in my (shallow) brain bucket if I am skiing in this area again.



Nice line east of "Smutwood" peak - next time!

Jean-Michel, John, Jim, Shirley and guest Dan at Smuts pass, "Smutwood" peak in the background

After following the ski tracks of our 3 colleagues we reunited at the flatter terrain and took advantage of a broken up-track on the south side of the valley to do a couple of yoyos.



Last run of the day Commonwealth valley opposite Mount Smuts

The snow was still good but, as the avalanche report indicated, the cold is starting to facet out the snow and it is becoming a bit more like the usual Rockies snow pack. After the yoyos we headed down the valley and were back at the cars just after 4:00 pm. 

Thanks to Damian, David, Jean-Michel, Ed, Jim, Shirley and guest Dan (my son) from John for joining me and coping well with the chilly day (-16 C on my car on return) ... a couple of members reminded me that the Kananaskis forecasted temperature of -8 was for Canmore ....