22 Nov 2009
It has been a while since my last tour, too long. At the last moment we bought a house and have been flat out getting it renovated before winter, along with pre-season preparations for Hakuba Alpine Guides.
A few days a go Matsumoto-san, of Rapies Mountain Store, and I went to Harinoki. Conditions were thin with not enough snow for an easy ascent nor good descent. Matsumoto-san forgot his skins so he employed the old rope technique that usually works well on corn snow, but not fresh powder with no base. Given the conditions and the skin situation we only made it as high as 2400m
There is plenty of snow in the alpine backcountry of Hakuba. It feels strange not to be up there, lucky this house thing is a once in a lifetime disruption. Plus I have a fantastic view of the entire range to keep me happy whilst I work.
congrats
Damian, congratulations on the house-purchase. I guess you'll be spending more time at the local Komeri, chopping wood (I'm assuming you will have a stove), and shoveling snow from your roof.
You "only" made it up to
You "only" made it up to 2400 m thats funny dude. I would be happy if I could make it that high with full gear on. LOL
I might have to take it a bit easy this season. I can still feel the effects of a bad wipeout this summer on my back.
Hi George - I wish all the
Hi George - I wish all the work was done 2 months ago. And no climbing on my roof to clear snow - a serious health hazard.
Hi Tsonda - hope the back improves.
Greetings from the ROCK
Hey Damian,
Glad to hear you finally got a house man... send or post some pics I would love to see it from start to finish. It will be even better man when you get all the reno shit done.
I had to come back to Rock for family reasons again, but managed to get out to Rogers Pass for two days of early season POW. It's been dumping on the West Coast. Maybe same BC in NL come Feb or March.
Say hello to missus and the DOG.
Cheers
Newf
Hi Newf, I'll see what I can
Hi Newf, I'll see what I can do about before and after pictures. Thanks for your comment and hope family life on the Rock works out well.