Perfect Hakuba

24 Dec 2008

After a long period with little new snow we had a small storm that started out as rain. Since then conditions have just gotten better. Today was bluebird perfect and windless in the Happo backcountry of Hakuba. Petri, myself, Mio and Sarah from Hakuba House had a great day. Lots of good powder and lots of skinning as the exit to the river isn't quite right yet, so we had to ascend back up Mumezawa.

It was a good community type of day in the backcountry as well with about 20 people on the ridge all taking their preferred lines. Many locals were crossing paths and having a chat.

Some Hakuba locals giving it on the south side of Happo (Japanese crew)

Key word: terrain. Getting into it. Local Japanese crew again. Happo south ridge (focus on the center of the picture)

Pain train (not really)

Me. I crash a lot on the skis. I wish I'd snowboarded today.

Crashing and me.

An unfortunately short clip of Meathelmet on his big boards.

A longer clip

Pain train again

Why do you live where you do?

The future in the distance (Petri's pic)

Mumezawa, the terrain we shared today (Petri's pic)

Classic Happo south ridges (Petri's pic)

Comments

Submitted by Chris (i-cjw.com) on 25 December 2008 - 11:24am.

Looking great up there - weather should hold for the weekend too! Nice way to round out 2008.

Submitted by Damian on 25 December 2008 - 5:37pm.

Hi Chris, the weather seems to be closing in more than initially forecast. Perhaps one day of clear skies in the next week, lots of snow.

Submitted by Tim on 25 December 2008 - 10:18pm.

Damian wrote:
Hi Chris, the weather seems to be closing in more than initially forecast. Perhaps one day of clear skies in the next week, lots of snow.

Merry Christmas to the snowsports enthusiasts eh? Can't wait until Monday when I'll be in Hakuba.

Tim - Nagahama, Shiga

Submitted by Da Newf on 26 December 2008 - 3:00pm.

Dude that's why you snowboard... looking great on those skis all the same. I would of paid good money to see ya falling. If ya want that hockey tape send me your mailing address.

Cheers And Merry Christmas to you Moi and Lloyd

Submitted by 1yen on 26 December 2008 - 3:27pm.

how far you've come since your attempts to ride Gandalf

great pics and videos...looks sooo nice out there

Submitted by Damian on 26 December 2008 - 5:47pm.

I'm on three buckle comfortable AT boot and 75mm under foot. I need to upgrade.

Newf - cant you just bring the tape in person. There's a job here for you if you want it in a lodge, you know the guys.

1yen - I should have taken your carving skis that time. Big fat boards on a groomed run was bound to be trouble.

Tim - 50cm of snow at mid level today, much more coming in the next week.

Submitted by SC on 29 December 2008 - 4:55am.

A big storm came from Dec.26 thru 28 in areas of Tohoku, Niiigata and northern Nagano. Happo ski area has 150cm on Dec.28 getting 20cm. Kagura ski aea has 120cm on Dec.29 getting 40cm. Both areas will be cloudy and snowy for a succeeding week. Merry Xmas & Happy New Year SNOW must be. Awaiting for snow trip reports on. As for BC, risks for fresh snow avalanche are increasing. Two victms were reported on Dec.27 at Nukedo-dake in northern Gifu.

Submitted by julian on 31 December 2008 - 10:55pm.

Hi Damien,

My wife (Kin) and I really want to know where Lloyd is in these pictures! What makes you decide whether to take him or leave him at home?

We look forward to seeing more stunning pictures and reports in 2009.

Wishing you a happy new year,
Julian

Submitted by Damian on 1 January 2009 - 9:58am.

Hi Julian and Kin, Happy New Year and thanks for the comments. Most winter touring around Hakuba uses ski resort lifts to gain some altitude before heading into the backcountry. This tends to exclude Lloyd from the fun. Plus the snow is too deep and he is too slow in winter. Both Lloyd and I prefer spring for better access to terrain with no ski resort access and hanging out together.

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