This is the archive for February 2009
Headed back again today with a total of 5 splitters with everyone of us rocking spark bindings. It was the first time out this season with Jeff, Adam, and Dave. Unbelievable - Feb 28 and I'm just now getting out with them. Sadly this has been the first real storm of the season at the park. It was also Eric's first day out other than his avi course, but a broken toe from a week or two back cut his day short. Dave bailed after one run and headed back with Eric, leaving Jeff, Adam and I to make the second run alone.
Lapped the same general area as yesterday - the hard work of breaking trail was behind us. The second lap was the best - got onto a new part of the ridge and found some beautifully open treed terrain. Despite having two slr cameras along and bluebird skies, virtually no photos were taken - we just decided to enjoy the top to bottom runs uninterrupted.
Total up for the day was 3,140 - I tried convincing Jeff and Adam to make another lap, but to no avail.
Shane couldn't make it today so I was flying solo. We'd seen a pair break trail to the lake and to points beyond which were unknown. My plan was to poach that up track and test the theory that the snow would be better by the lake.
The pair from yesterday put in an up track to almost the top of the ridge, from there I needed to get to the top of the knob. A long slog, but well worth the effort. The first few turns up top were slightly wind effected - soft drifts. No slabbing, no cracking, no whumpfing. A bit further down, the wind effect was gone and replaced with the stuff of dreams. Steep, treed, bottomless blower powder. Face shots galore. Some sloughing, but overall the snow was behaving very well.
Upon reaching the lake, I had two choices - walk more than 1/2 a mile breaking trail on the flat lake (still more than 30 cm deep skin track) to recycle the same up track or break a new up track. I took the long walk. Second run was beside the first. Epic again. I once again took the long walk then climbed a bit higher than yesterday's pair for the third run. Debated pushing for the knob, but it's a bit of a walk over, plus the walk back. So I dropped beside the up track. Same aspect, just less vertical. More amazing turns.
Total up for the day was 4,180. By far the best day of the year. I now have 35 days on the splitter this year with over 110,000 feet climbed.
Spearhead vs. Khyber:
I like my spearhead, but I love the khyber. I can see the spearhead being more at home in more open terrain. It's quick to get on plane like the khyber, but there's too much tail to allow you to get into wheelie mode. The khyber's small tail and tapered shape allow you to control speed just by leaning back. If the snow is deep enough, you can descend just about anything without turning. The spearhead wouldn't let me do this, which results in slower turn response. Still far better than a conventional shape, but I like to throw hard turns in. It permits a much more aggressive style of riding through the trees. I like to go as fast as I can - I am the treepilot afterall!
The latest storm exceeded expectations. 30-50 cms of powder! I met up with Shane from splitboardlife.com and we were the first group into the park. The downside was heavy trail breaking. I figured the better snow would be on the aspects I'd ridden last week, but that involved over 2 miles of breaking trail on the flat before even beginning to climb, so we took plan b, heading up into CV12.
Up we went, taking turns breaking for over 2,000 feet up before the first drop. The snow varied from boot top to upper thigh in some places. Tedious and slow, but so worth it when we finally hit the top of the climb. The aspect of the timber in CV12 has quite a bit of south in it - resulting in a crust that you'd feel from time to time. This wasn't too bad - the hidden logs/stumps/whatnot were more of an issue - both Shane and I getting tossed at least once by the snow snake.
The second lap was easier as the hard work was done. We debated a third lap, but decided to try to find cliff. We'd seen him on the way up and cliff is pretty rare in the park. Shane launched a solid 10-15 footer while I played photographer. We also found a very unique cliff with a somewhat flat landing and christmas treed outrun. Being in the 20-25 foot range, we both passed, but plans are underway to head back with a local sponsored rider.
Total vertical for the day was 3,410.
It took me a few days to get over the jet lag, mostly because I was being lazy. Had a few other things to catch up on, but I made it out touring today. Late departure due to a morning appointment meant it was noon before I was on the trail.
I stopped and chatted with a warden who's worked at the park for a long time. Worst winter in 20 years he says! Turns out my
couloir has been ridden a few times, but it's unnamed. The whole bowl is simply known as CV12. For the best snow he suggested an area I'd been to before - it's a long slog, but I figured local knowledge was worth it.
The road in was hard pack, so I walked then skated and poled. Worked pretty well. Skinned across the lake and up Grizzly Pass, which takes you into the states. I looked, but couldn't find a border office so I poached some Obama Powder without clearance.
I was pleasantly surprised with conditions. Despite not much new snow lately, the wind had been doing it's thing. Mid boot or so over top of a firm but not icy crust layer. It was good enough that I made a second lap on the way back. I found similar conditions there.
The walk back to the vehicle was long, but the last section was hard pack enough that I was able to skate/pole my way back the last 8/10ths of a mile without too much hassle. A nice change from the usual skin out.
Today was also the first day on the new Spearhead splitter. The Khyber was fixed in Japan, but then a screw ripped out again. Sending it back to Prior to get it fixed right. It'll be gone for a few weeks at least.
Total up for the day was 2,900.
Rain didn't arrive today, but spring did. Headed to Tsugaike with Ben and Patrick with hopes of one more "free" day. Paid 5800 yen for lift with 900 meal credit. Made one lap in wet and heavy slop. Ate a chicken burger, fries and Coke (wtf?) at the dirty bird on the hill, sold the ticket for 3000 - leaving the net result of about $30 Canuck for a meal combo at kfc.
Shuttle bus system leaves a lot to be desired here, got to Iwatake and had to wait 1.5 hours. Luckily it was customer appreciation day there. Free beer and some sort of rice porridge stuff.
I leave tomorrow and am looking forward to finding some dry powder soon.
Snow stopped sometime overnight leaving a blue bird day. Patrick, Ben, Chris and I headed to Cortina which needs to be seen to be believed - the hotel/lodge there is right out of Europe, or something worse. Very out of place looking.
Today was to be poach day. Leave the splitter at home and see how the dark side lives. Made the first lap on a marked run or course as they like to call it here. Technically powder, but you could see and feel the old tracks. The next 3 or 4 laps were dropping backside into the same drainage as from Norykura. This area gets hit a lot by poachers - better powder, but somewhat heavy due to the southerly aspect. You could still see old tracks here.
Once this area got too heavy from daytime heating, we hit the northerly aspects - significantly better snow, but you run a much higher risk of losing your lift ticket. Try as I might, I couldn't get caught. Some people pick their clothing to hide in the trees, I'm the human highlighter and never got noticed. By 3 or so, the trees were quite tracked and the day was done.
Cat and mouse is fun. Nice to get some "free" turns. The 3500 yen ticket included a 1000 credit towards lunch (a make it yourself pizza buffet that again needs to be seen to be believed).
Patrick had his SLR out and Chris was also shooting with a gargantuan lens and a top shelf body. He's a freelancer of sorts, so hopefully he sends the photos he promised.
Friday's rain is looking to be arriving later than originally planned, so there's hope for one more day of riding. It'll be skin to win though as the easy stuff will undoubtedly be tracked.
Woke up very early, was in the car by 6:05 and skinning by 6:15ish. Went out with Eric from the Norykura trees of a few days ago. He is a fellow canuck. Wound up with 1 run in the sunlight, 1 in the clouds, one in light snow and 1 in a puking snowstorm. Snow got better throughout the day. The last run gave up several face shots thanks to the 5 or 6 inches of fresh that had accumulated. By far the best snow of the trip.
Total up for the day was 7,020 feet. A very long slog. I'm confident that 10,000 is just a matter of the right location. We wasted a lot of time going sideways on the road that they close in the winter. Something like Grizzly shoulder at Rogers or the bowl above the parking lot at Waterton will give it up this year.
A few days ago, outside of what passes for a bar in Hakuba, we heard something that sounded like thunder during snowfall. There was much debate whether it was a large avalanche making the sound or thunder. We saw no lightning. Walking home from the grocery store tonight, I saw the unmistakable flash of lighting. A few seconds later, the rumble of thunder. Something I've never experienced before, but it would seem a regular occurrence in Japan?
Snow continues to fall, so there's potential for a legitimate powder day tomorrow, but rain is also still forecast for Friday. That leaves one day of hopefully poaching bottomless powder in the trees. Failing that, I'll suck it up and earn some powder turns the usual way.
Saturday is travel day. It's puking in Utah with several places reporting 15 to 20 inches of new snow! Might be a short stay at home....
I got a terrible sleep last night thanks to three obnoxious Aussies who came into the room and couldn't shut the fuck up. Woke up tired and cranky. Made as much noise as possible on the way out. Will use the snow saw tonight if it happens again as I am planning on skinning at 6AM tomorrow.
Hit up Goryu with Damian (splitting this time) and his brother Luke, along with two American skiers from NYC. We climbed up and around the south ridge where it turns to a northerly aspect again. The target was this sweet looking flute line. Damian rappelled into it to check stability and softness. It checked out, so we dropped in. I should have bailed and went with Luke on a nearby couloir, but hindsight is 20/20 and when am I going to get to ride a flute again? Made my first few turns in the good snow, made a couple more on the dust on crust (I touched the cloth), then couldn't hold the heel side edge and rag dolled over some twigs. Wound up in my sluff missing my toque and goggles. Found the goggles, but the toque was mia. Found some marginal, but still sorta fun snow on the way out followed by some sketchy river crossing stuff.
Total up for the day was 1,460 feet. We bailed on the second run and went for lunch. This crazy, senile, drunk and maybe worse older, but impeccably dressed, Japanese guy was buying beer and saki for everyone in the restaurant. He even tried to buy us lunch. Then he tried to put his hand on my knee. I think he liked my blue eyes? Dunno. Weirded me out and we bailed. Also ran into Charles there as well from the Myoko trip, who in hindsight may have egged on the old guy as he seems to be known for his warped humour.
You can read Damian's account of the day and watch a short video of Luke in the chute here
After meeting Damian on the second or third day, we finally got out together. He decided to practice his skiing though and brought along a fellow canuck named Eric. I wish I'd made it out with him sooner. We spent an abbreviated day together due to a meeting Damian had in the afternoon, so we were done by 12:30. This gave enough time to make a couple laps off the top of Norykura. Total up was 3,430 and the down was mostly good snow in trees. I didn't take any photos, but I did manage to kick up some smoke behind me. It might be the best snow of the trip, which is a pretty sad statement.
We did get into an interesting discussion about backcountry riding. Everyone was in agreement that we weren't in the backcountry today. I haven't set foot in the backcountry yet in Japan. If you're riding a chair or gondola, ducking a rope, climbing a bit (or a lot) and winding up back in the parking lot so you can repeat this process, you are not backcountry touring. You're hanging out in the side country or slackcountry.
This is the culture of "backcountry" riding in Hakuba. It's even rubbed off on Damian, who is by far the most legitimate backcountry local I've met here, at least according to my definition of the word. On the second descent when the snow went to crap we stopped to regroup. Looking at my watch I noted that the elevation was 300 feet higher here than the top of the chair. The question: Why would we descend from here on crap snow, follow a tracked out gully, then a groomer, then ride the chair and climb the 300 feet back? The question was moot because it was our last run. Why make longer laps? Shorter ones with better snow are my preference. This principle applies in the backcountry as much as in the slackcountry, but in my opinion won't be practiced in the slackcountry due to the extra effort involved. From my experience the slackcountry sliders here are looking for the easy way out. It should be noted this isn't a criticism of the practice, although I am a firm believer in earning your turns, merely an argument against those claiming to be riding backcountry from the lifts in Hakuba.
Eric and I, along with maybe Damian have plans for a proper tour on Wednesday. Leaving at 6:00 am, we're planning on touring up Shirouma Dake, which translates to White Horse Mountain. It's located in the same valley and is about the only mountain around here that doesn't have a chair or lift on it. It looks to be about 3,000 feet up to the point where you'd start making laps. With an early start, and plans for 2 or 3 laps of 1,200 to 1,500 feet each, it should be a large vertical day.
Forecast is calling for rain on Friday, leaving me with only 3 days of riding as Saturday is travel day. It's depressing to say, but I'm ready to go home. The expectations of slaying powder have fallen far short of what I'd hoped for. Too much slack and not enough back either doesn't help either.
No riding. Slept in. No hitchhiking either.
The snow started falling last night and it was still coming this morning. Spirits and enthusiasm were high. I headed to Happo on the solid with Patrick from London. There was close to a foot of light fresh, but the hard crust was found on each and every turn. Dust on crust is still dust on crust with a foot of fresh.
Made a couple laps up top and got disorientated in the whiteout. We ended up dropping a gully (unroped, unmarked) that took us all the way to the dam near Goryu! There was some billy goating and route finding that included crossing a creek several times. The fact that there's open water running in what should be the middle of winter is quite depressing.
Took the shuttle bus from Goryu back to Happo. Made a couple laps and called it a day. Reminded yet again that resorts suck.
I called about my split and it's finally done. Two days and 5000 yen later. They had to tap the inserts.
No new snow again. Blue skies. Broken split still unfixed. We saw an ad for the Matsumoto Castle for 10000 yen. After some research Patrick from London, UK and I learned there was a train going to Matsumoto. After delays from the lodge staff on a promised ride to the station, we missed the train by minutes. With a 2 hour wait for the next train, we elected to try the bus. No bus available. After chatting with the bus guy, we learned that hitchhiking is permitted, but difficult. After many cars passing without luck, we went back and asked the bus guy to make us a sign for Matsumoto. With sign in hand and thumbs extended, we quickly got picked up by the last person you'd expect - a single middle age Japanese woman. She spoke barely any english, but more English than we spoke Japanese. She seemed determined to get us there, stopping and talking to other motorists. She secured us a ride most of the way there, and left. We waited 5-10 minutes and the new guy wasn't in a rush. Out of nowhere, she returned and got us into her car again. She drove us to her work where she introduced us to a business man who was going closer (we think) to Matsumoto. He was super friendly and spoke a touch of English. In the end he dropped us right at the entrance to the Castle and wouldn't take any gas money. We believe he drove atleast 30 minutes out of his way to do so.
The Castle was quite interesting and the city itself was far more exciting than Hakuba. I'd rather be shredding powder, but a nice change.
Based on some beta of dubious quality, I headed to Norykura to hit some trees with a non-split equipped snowboarder from England. After booting up an established bootpack for 1,500 feet we dropped into the abyss. Thick fog and dust on crust for the first bit. 500 feet of decent pow followed before we hit thick, wet heavy shit. Took the exit past the dams and waited for the skies to clear and the rain to stop. It didn't. We bailed and tried Tsugaike. Bought some passes for the prices of the deposits (aka free passes). Made a trip to the top and found more wet heavy stuff. Took two buses home to the lodge and called it a day. Looking into leaving Hakuba early and trying Haikkado for the last week of Japan. Forecast is calling for blue skies tomorrow here, so there is hope for the upper alpine and hopefully some dry snow.
On the small planet angle, a couple of Canadians arrived the other day. We got to talking and Tristan kept saying I looked familiar. After some discussion, we realized we'd randomly met in the
Castle backcountry 2 years ago. It truly is a small world.... it'd be a nicer small world if it would snow a bit more often.
Blueish skies this morning, but no new snow. Took the shuttle bus to Tsudaike with 4 Finnish folks. Toured up the same general area as day 1, but found better snow thanks to cooler temps. It was the first day out ever for Sanna(sp?) and the first day touring this winter for the rest of them, so it was a shorter day. They did oblige me and wait while I skinned a ridge solo to drop a northerly rib. Ville was even nice enough to shoot me from an adjoining ridge and is currently even processing and tweaking the images via photoshop!
One good shot, one marginal one, but one canīt complain when someone else is nice enough to shot, tweak and lend a laptop...
Total up for the day was 3,140 and thanks to a $14 one-way gondola ride, a total of 5,590 down, but a good chunk of the down was down icy groomer to the base.
