Crowfoot

-9C @8am Bow Lake Parking Travel through the trees and canyon was quick and easy in the morning. Not too many spots with running water yet. We didn’t get to the top of the canyon for the standard (summer?) route before skinning out into the trees towards our goal of getting to the saddle under Crowfoot. We travelled on the series of shelves to get the scenic view of the ice field. There was a stubborn crust in wind affected areas, but a new layer of well bonded snow starting at 7800ft made surfaces edgeable on the way up. No signs of instabilities or wet sluff on steeps. Leeward and sheltered surfaces held ankle deep powder that made the ride out the way we came very enjoyable. We rode down at 330pm from 9400 ft. The new snow got progressively wetter as we descended but never too sticky for a good time until getting back to the trees above the canyon approach. Bow Lake was still frozen solid and fast moving despite toasty late afternoon temps