This trip turned out quite well, despite the original coordinator having to cancel at the last minute, warm weather (about freezing) and various travel arrangements. A few cms of overnight snow helped the actual skiing considerably.
Three of us started from the Moose Meadows trailhead on the 1A just after 10.00am, 2 using half-length skins but Dave using full length skins. All used a freeheel binding, with Clifton on light trail skis, and Jim and Dave on slightly wider (old-style) tele skis. All had metal edges and the gear worked well for all except that Dave experienced serious snow clumping above the ink pots in new wet snow (+3c). There was an interview related to 150th Canada anniversary in progress in the parking lot as we left. The trail was compacted probably by snowshoers but with a few cms of new snow which made for good sking both up and down. We followed some wolf tracks before reaching the ink pots at 12 noon for lunch. Several other people also showed up. Most had walked in boots, with one on snowshoes but only us on skis.


Clifton and Jim enjoy lunch at the Ink Pots near Johnstone Creek in Banff Park

After lunch we left in a mild snow flurry to continue up the summer trail. But as noted above, I experienced clumping problems and so de-skinned which was better but lacked grip for ascent. We went maybe 2kms at most before turning around and heading home. The ski out from the ink pots to the cars where we arrived at 3.10pm took just over an hour in quasi-perfect conditions. Jim then drove back to Calgary, while I dropped off Clifton in Canmore before enjoying a traditional Drake burger and going onto the ACC Canmore meeting. Here, the room was packed for an excellent presentation by Sandy Walker on her recent guided ski trip in Antarctica. Many of the quests were public (not ACC people).
Thanks to Christine for organizing this trip. Pity she couldn't make it. About 14km, 250m gain in 5 hours.

Participants: David, Jim, Clifton