06 Nov 2009
My Hakuba backcountry season started on Daisekkei today with Matsumoto-san from Rapies Mountain Shop. What a lot of fun it was. We skied from 2100m down to 1750m. As can be seen in the picture my first-day form is very rusty after only committing to skiing over snowboarding partway through last season.
Matsumoto-san ascending
The snow had settled considerably since my visit to the area a few days earlier. We found some temperature crust in the shade and soft moist settled snow in the sun. It was like spring.
Matsumoto-san descending
The bottom 100m of Daisekkei ice field (neve) has collapsed/melted thanks to last season slighter snow fall and intense rain periods in summer. It will return with another season of normal snow. Matsumoto-san has seen it all before “it is different every year”.
Narrow crevasse
Any hikers and skiers should be very careful of poorly covered narrow crevasses in the neve. I almost lost my dog down one a few days ago.
Hiking out
The intention for me this weekend was to camp and ski behind Shirouma, but unfortunately there just isn’t enough even cover after the heavy winds that came with the snow.
Here is the link to Matsumoto-san's blog where he is promoting new gear in his shop. I was the Garmont Radium model. He had new Coll-Tex CT40 skins and we both felt like rock stars with the new all graphite Black Diamond poles.
Nice to see the season is
Nice to see the season is starting, but I guess that puts an end to the idea of climbing!
nice!
Looks like a good enjoyable day, it must've felt great to be on the snow once again.
That's cool that you picked up skiing so quickly. I have weak knees so I'm reluctant to give it a try, but Izumi started skiiing when she was 3. I don't think you'll be able to pry her powderboard away from her now though.
Look forward to your next trip-report!
George - after snowboarding
George - after snowboarding skiing is difficult at first but then it gets going quickly considering that you already have snow sense and good balance from snowboarding. It really opens up the mountains.
Edgar - might be some time for climbing, maybe not. I'll send you a mail.
Hats off!
Hats off from Furano, you beat us to it! I'm impressed to see you challenging that crevasse terrain after only one season on the sticks...
I hope you're keeping that
I hope you're keeping that splitter for the deep days, otherwise we might not be able to be friends anymore! Good to see that winter has arrived.
Wade - Always keep the
Wade - Always keep the splitboard powder gun for deep days. Its the only way to fly.
FFP - I have snowboarded plenty of crevassed terrain in Europe and I would rather do it on skis any day.
Happo One
I'd watched Tatetyama webcam, and decided NOT on going on Nov 16. Tateyama had 20cm snow fall on Nov 16, 40cm on Nov 18, and gessed 60cm on Nov 21....late coming. Tateyama will close on Nov 30, though I have no plan.
A report told Happo Kurobishi No.3 lift opertiong, but Happo Sanso lodge had 10-15 cm snow. The reporter enjoyed 200m skiing from 2,550m point at the right side of Oo-Kurosawa-Minamata valley on Nov 23.
Pictures on http://w1.avis.ne.jp/~ktsukada/happoone/2009_11_23/oogurosawa2009_11_23.... .
Hi SC, good to hear from you
Hi SC, good to hear from you again. I had to cancel my Tateyama trip with my wife as I suddenly became very busy. I tried Harinoki however the conditions were not good.