We parked along the 93N hwy approx 800m north of the Bow Lake turn off, geared up and the six of us started up east through the trees at 10:15.


Cirque Peak west ski slopes (and Fore-Peak and main summit) taken the day before

The snow was haaaard (thermal/solar crust) until ~ 2400m where there was definitely some wind pressing but the skis were able to penetrate more than 1mm. We followed the looker's left ridge line most of the way up to Cirque sub-peak 2 (2750m) where we convened for a cool lunch (the wind was cold even though air temp was in the zero range)


Cornices on the upper ridge of Cirque West

. We were able to see much of the Wapta area and as far south as Assiniboine, until the cloud became lower and the light flatter. We kept on ascending to Cirque fore-peak 1 (2850m) at 12:45 where we could get a good look at all of Crystal Ridge, Hector, Bow Peak etc.


Carl, Arnold, Elizabeth, Kevin and Wallace on Cirque Fore-Peak

We had another break then headed down. The skiing was much better than expected on west aspects, so we skinned back up part of the way for another run. Back to cars at 15:00. Thanks to Arnold, Liz, Carl, Kevin, Wallace for a fine day out - scribe Clifton