Just returned from ski touring in the Asulkan valley for 5 days and 4 nights at the Asulkan hut. As always Rogers Pass never fails to deliver the goods, we were fortunate enough to have to days of sun and calm winds so we could venture up high and get up Youngs Peak and also the Saphire Col.
Conditions were relatively stable but still played it safe given the instability in the snow pack. The freezing level was at roughly 5500' so lots of soft snow to enjoy and up above the cabin there was a fresh 10cm to be had [unlike the local conditions here in Nelson]. On Sunday night as ordered it snowed 20cm and continued all day to wipe the slate clean and allow us to enjoy the good skiing and visibility in the tree triangle below the cabin. Having to leave on Tuesday was very difficult as there was lots of untracked still to enjoy so we got an alpine start and had one last knee deep powder run before our ski out – which turned out to be our best run of the entire trip.
Until we return in 2011, when I am sure the Rogers Pass will deliver the goods once again.
