Awoke to 10-15 new in the parking lot and steady snowfall. Weather station was reporting 20 up high and forecast was calling for more during the day.

I'd wanted to explore a new area but breaking trail solo didn't seem overly appealing. Mid week in the early season doesn't bring many parties up. When I stopped at the info centre there was only two people in before me and they were heading up Connaught.

While looking over the forecast I heard a familiar voice. Looking over I recognized Erich from the level one course last year. His patroller friend Shawn was with him. They were looking for a new zone as well so we opted for Hermit.

Fresh young legs meant an easier time busting open trail. Coverage down low was thinner than the lower parts of Grizzly shoulder but depth steadily increased as we climbed. There was an existing up, but it got harder and harder to follow. It was puking snow as we found what looked to be a brand new hut. It was locked and would appear to be a weather station. We stopped for lunch and enjoyed partial shelter under the deck.

Erich and Shawn dug complete pits due to their career ambitions. Boot pen of 65 and nothing for layers in the upper meter or so. Nice progressive fist, four finger, finger, pen... Pretty bomber. We climbed another 500 feet or so above the hut before the trees stopped and the visibility vanished. Top of climb!

Some very deep snow was enjoyed. A bit more pitch would have been appreciated though. A bit of bush whacking brought us back to the up track. Around about this time the snow stopped and the skies cleared. Lines became apparent, but it was too late in the day to gain them. We stopped for the second lap near our first drop. A descent into the trees eventually brought some tight but fun turns to the cars.

Total up was 4,190. I'd been hoping for 6k but there was a ton of heavy trail breaking and a bit of time lost with the full pits. We are thinking about spending the night in the Asulkan hut tomorrow if the weather forecast looks good. Anywhere is going to be epic with this much snow! Too much? Never enough!

Kristjan was quite fatigued this morning but was game to go again. The steep track up Grizzly did him in. We said our goodbyes and I continued on solo to the top. I followed the up all the way through the cliff band at the top of the ridge. Thanks to the new season pass permit system I was good to go into Hermit. I'd never ridden Puff Daddy before but recalled the reference to it getting steeper and requiring "some creative hopping" to negotiate the cliff bands.

The top part is fairly open and was untracked save for a party of four that dropped just minutes before me. Face shots on each turn thanks to the 10 or so of new that fell over night. The terrain soon turned to trees and numerous pillows to play on were the norm. Several good lines to be had. I negotiated one band that was larger than my early season legs wanted to drop. Looking at the gps I decided on a descending traverse to pickup the up track above the bridge. Snow down low was thinner but still fun.

I stopped just short of the up and grabbed some lunch. As I was finishing up the party of four arrived. They invited me to join and we headed up for a second go. As we climbed the fan they suggested the Teddy Bear trees which is apparently the name for the ridge opposite Grizzly shoulder.

There was an up but it hadn't seen anybody on it in a day or two. Moderate to easy trail breaking was the norm. We soon lost a pair leaving three of us - none of whom had been up this side before. We pressed on until reaching almost the top of the trees. The descent was equally fun. Steep trees with several small cliffs and lots of pillows. My riding partners proved to be not quite as adept at the descent as the ascent, but they made it with some waiting on my part. The perils of joining random groups. A compatible up and down touring partner is a wonderful thing!

There was about an hour of daylight left, but I'm only on the fourth day of the year and decided to save some legs for tomorrow. Total up today was 5,060 feet.

Kristjan arrived last night. We awoke to overcast and light snow. Today was only his second time on a splitter and his first in the actual backcountry.

We headed for Ursus trees. I was hoping the blue skies would return and Kristjan could see what this place has to offer, but it snowed all day. The 10cm or so made for blower conditions on the descent. I used my Jetboil for the first time today, melting extra water for Kristjan and cooking myself some delicious beef and mac.

I was stoked to share a day of epic pow with an old friend. 3,130 up and lots of great turns on the down.

There's been some changes to the permit system this year. Connaught remains as one of three (Asulkan and Illecillewaet) non-permit options. With attendance to an info session with parks you can obtain a "seasons pass" that let's you into open permitted areas without stopping at the visitor centre. I was in there at 8am and was the first one in. Figured I'd head up Balu as I was riding solo. Got a permit for Grizzly shoulder just in case conditions were poor.

Blue skies greeted me and I saw no evidence of naturals. Temps stayed cold and the forecast rain of the other day missed. I pushed up the track and could tell that someone was ahead. 3/4 of the way to the base of Ursus trees I spotted someone skiing out. Very unusual at this time of the day. I wondered if it might be Greg Hill. We soon passed and exchanged a few words. I thought I recognized the voice. It was him. He had bagged Video Peak (solo naturally). "Skin tracks in. I highly recommend it". Good enough for me.

Near the top of the climb to Video a pair of skiers caught up. Turns out it was their second lap of the day. We met again on top, but they were quicker with the changeover and dropped leaving me alone on the summit. My first summit at Rogers. I soon found myself maching down boot deep pow under sunny skies. How I've longed for this feeling!

I caught up with the pair at the bottom and they invited me along to 8812 bowl. I'd never been there so I tagged along. Up top on the ridge to 8812 I got indoctrinated into the billy goating that this area often requires. Soon enough I was enjoying turns back to the valley. Bob suggested another short climb to a "hidden" gully. We didn't quite make it to the top, but traversed into it and found wonderful powder down low in the more sheltered areas.

Total up for the day was 6,000 feet. What a return to winter. Blueish skies, stable powder and a summit.