We climbed up to Sapphire Col via the Asulkan hut trail and the Asulkan glacier. Cross the metal bridge after the Mousetrap and look for a small cairned trail about 200m later. This goes down to the creek. We crossed two braids with "mostly" dry feet. Up to a saddle on the moraine and follow the crest till it becomes a trough and up fairly clean slabs to the glacier. We had mostly good snow up to about 40 degrees on some rolls but ice patches are growing.

Hut is in decent shape but I did get locked in the outhouse when the wind spun the little wooden door latch. Always carry a knife:) Decent water right beside the hut in the pond in photo but we did filter and or boil it.

We climbed Castor the 1st evening and traversed the Dome from the Dome col back to the hut on the 2nd day. Great route in great shape except for the steep choss up to the Dome col. We took the right hand gully above the snow to the col and it was serious/unpleasant for about 20 m's and will likely get worse. Left hand looks worth a try but treat both with respect. Gully below the hut you descend to reach the Lily col is also a chossy mess worthy of some careful scouting and movement.

Rock hard snow on the descent made the 40 degree snow feel sporty. Nobody else in sight except the odd group going in and out of the Asulkan Hut. Lots of bear scat on the trail.

Larry Stanier
Mountain Guide