Five of us tackled Joffre Lakes and Tszil Mountain on Sunday. There was scant snow, just 1.8 metres. Compare that to the estimated 4 metres at Sigurd Creek and a lower elevation.

It was a fairly short day. We started from the parking lot around 9 AM, summited around 1 PM and returned to the lot around 3 PM. Just as much driving as skiing!

I only got pictures of the approach because the weather deteriorated and we ended up skiing down from Tszil in white and flat light. Snow quality was compromised due to the extended high pressure over the last week, lack of new snow and high alpine winds.

Joffre Lakes parking lot.

Snout of Joffre Glacier.

Whiskey Jack at third lake.

Approach to Tszil Mountain.

Our ascent route went up from the head of the valley, following the left diagonal snow field.

Party members at third lake. (Alexei, Nicolas, Sacha, Max, Clive).

The approach to Joffre Glacier is looking bony.

The north face of Slalok is looking blue and bony.

Joffre west arm (not really skiable, is it?)

Head of valley.

A couple of reference shots from a ski trip April 10, 2011 with Craig Speirs.

Joffre Glacier approach looking a lot less bare.

Wow! That is really dry.