Due to the cold, K-country had been unable to track set the trails, but 9 of departed the Elk Pass parking lot at 8.50am in 10-15cms of nice snow. Most managed well all day on whatever wax they had chosen but one member new to this skiing style was helped by others. With some breaks at the usual Blueberry picnic table and elsewhere, we cut through the meadows by the pass to reach the power line on the BC side and the Elk Lake hut soon after 12.00 noon. 4 lady snowshoers were in residence and they kindly let us inside for lunch. The hut has been refurbished since my last visit maybe in 2010 with a better ground floor arrangement. However the upper sleeping area is still open to the ground floor with the same noise and heat issues. Chau and this author enjoyed a more leisurely lunch, while the rest enjoyed a tour to the nearby lower Elk lake. I understand this was more of a mystery tour than intended.
The entire RMRA group started back at 1.30pm following the morning's trail except that we chose to return over Elk Pass. We regrouped at the Elk Pass picnic table before the nice descent to the cars which we reached at about 4.30pm. All day, we only saw 6 other skiers, 2 of whom knew of the Ramblers from regularly visiting our website reports. I had no idea that we were so famous!
Thanks to Jim, Arnold, Nancy, Bob, Chau, Bernie, Shirley, John for joining me C&S David. You were such a patient group and moreover broke trail without even being asked. Thanks.