Tenki Diary 12 Dec 07

Today’s weather data for the last 24 hours to 0700 reflects just what happened: rain to 1100m (by my observation in Tsugaike). Oh well. Winter starts this Friday when it gets cold like December should be. The small surface hoar from Monday night might just have been buried by yesterdays snow, particularly since is remained cloudy, windless and protected in the tress around 2000m. I will be looking for it today.

Yesterday we managed to take delivery of our new second hand car, after getting lucky on the registration side of business. It’s a great little car. I drove to Tsugaike and quickly skinned to 2000m to test the stability of the pack on a nice treed south face. It’s a small line that could be lapped a few times (not my style of touring, but one I will have to get used to I guess for storm days). The snow profile from the test pit is here

It was nice to be up there working in the snow (190cm at 2000m), but my day started late so I didn’t have any safe riding time left over for a worthwhile descent. Unfamiliarity with the yet unfilled micro terrain (creeks and dips and holes etc) detracted from the descent as well.

For outings where I am not familiar with the roll and lay of these features I really need my skis, not a splitboard (snowboard). Skis are all purpose touring tools, great for terrain negotiation. Mine arrive from Europe around Christmas time.

Comments

Submitted by NPM on 12 December 2007 - 7:33pm.

Well done on getting a new car so quick! You will be set now. Hope things are going well up there

Submitted by Damian on 12 December 2007 - 8:50pm.

We found that nearly every Japanese local business owner has been unusually helpful the moment they hear we are living in town.  From tow truck drivers, car dealer, registration process, gas company.  They seem to bend and ignore process and rules that a city based bureaucracy slavishly follows.  Long live small country communities. The Suzuki Kei Van is cool. I have owned motor bikes with bigger engines.

The resort and lower touring snowpack still isn't worth you visiting, but I will let you know as soon as it is.

Submitted by bluecheese on 12 December 2007 - 9:53pm.

People are nice and friendly, and helpful in Hakuba, if they know you live there... I am still getting used to this as well!

Happy to hear that with our new car you are no longer stuck in Goryu :)

Submitted by SC on 13 December 2007 - 6:36am.

> Damian wrote:
> Skis are all purpose touring tools, great for terrain negotiation.
> Mine arrive from Europe around Christmas time.
Oh, Yah! YES. However, I had a problem on my ski skill when chasing a snowboarder guide at Silverton Co. The guide rode down easily on a bc slope where many holes were hidden, while I had to keep my speed be fast for slipping on the surface, not falling into a hole. My ski skill level is not for all purpose...That's a problem.
Another subject: I heard Neko-dake & Yotsu-dake were good for BC now, though Norikura is somwhat far from Hakuba.

Submitted by Damian on 13 December 2007 - 9:27am.

SC- snowboards are great coming down when you know the terrain micro features or when there is 'obstacles' to deal with.  And in powder, snowboards are fast.  But for exploring new terrain, I like skis. I have plans for Norikura (in the south), but it is going to take a long time before I can take the SteepDeepJapan Topo guide that far. I don't want to be all Hakuba, but its hard not to since I live here. There is more to the Kita Alps than Hakuba.

Bluecheese - I think that 50% of our good relations so far in town have been thanks to you :)

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