Well, I'm averaging a tour every 5 days or so at the moment in the Hakuba backcountry and its taking some motivation to keep going out. Yet every time I do it is worth the effort. Today was nothing special from a riding perspective, but I enjoyed having a wide ranging look at conditions up behind Norikura Dake.  I decided to ski again rather than snowboard as I like the fast light ski touring setup that I have and also enjoy spring skiing more than spring snowboarding.  I didn't have Lloyd with me as I used the Tsugaike ski resort gondola and cable car to gain altitude and reach the snow line (recently re-opened for summer, I was the only skier for miles).  After looking around the back of Norikura Dake I travelled up the ridge to Korenege Dake (2769m) and skied down excellent corn on an easterly aspect.  Total descent was 1000m of worthwhile vertical. I have ridden it before and always enjoy returning to the area..

Note: the above picture, used to illustrate the area, was taken in winter and conditions today where obviously not nearly as good.  Today had glum lighting and dirty patchy spring snow, as you can see below.

16 May 08

This was an eventful and fun 2 day trip.  Just myself and the dog.  It was good solitude.

We were headed for the big bowl on the left hand side of Hakuba Yari, using the natural hotspring at 2000m as a base camp.  Two days of this, all to myself.  In the above photo the onsen (volcanic hot spring) is roughly one third from the bottom of shot, at the base of the big bowl, near a hug melted patch.  There is steam rising from it but you cant see it.