John, Terry and Douglas with the headwall approach to Warspite cirque behind
Above the lake we came across some big avalanche debris that looked to have been associated with the rain event a couple of weeks ago:
Avalanche debris (some blocks fridge size) off Mount Black Prince
Ahead of us were two snowshoers breaking trail. They could go steeper than I could so on the steeper sections we were breaking our own trail. We crossed some more avalanche debris on the steepest section of the headwall:
Traversing avalanche debris on the steeper part of the headwall
On my one previous ski trip in this area we went up through the trees lookers left of the headwall which is less exposed to avalanche risk. I recalled, however, that route was tough going. With the present avalanche conditions and the slope having already slid we felt OK on this easier line which the snowshoers also took.
Above the headwall things eased but now nearing the alpine the wind started picking up so we stopped for an early lunch break in the trees. Then we carried on into the cirque below Mount Warspite.
Ulrike and Terry with Mount Warspite in the background
Further up the cirque we headed up to the right towards Black Prince Lakes. We did n't go all the way to the lakes overlook as in the alpine the snow was wind hammered and the final slope showed exposed rocks and did n't look like it would be good skiing.
Our deskin point just below the Black Prince Lakes overlook - Terry, Douglas and Ulrike
On return, rather than ski down the avalanche debris on the headwall, we managed to find an untracked open slope in the trees skiers right that gave us some nice skiing.
Our steep descent path on the headwall - untracked!
The slopes get mellower lower down and there was still untracked snow that was pleasant to ski.
John above Warspite lake
We were back at the cars about 2:00 pm. A short day but hopefully the others in the group enjoyed the short pitches of untracked powder we found - I did! Thanks Ulli for the photos and thanks to participants: Terry, Douglas, Ulrike from John.