53 replies to this topic

[Toque]

I can second that

Hiking and glissading is fun. But skiing/riding is so so so so so so much better and more fun.

Did you feel really hardcore walking through the masses in Kamikochi?

[montoya]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Toque:

Did you feel really hardcore walking through the masses in Kamikochi?

on the way in it was pretty sparse, just saw mainly the monkees and a few other hardy types. hiking out we chatted with a few tourists, yeah I think they were pretty surprised. can imagine it is alot more crowded on the weekend..

surprisingly it was pretty comfortable hiking in our snowboard boots. I was worried about how it would hold up, but no probs at all.

[Toque]

I was hiking through there during GW. Around the kappabashi bridge it was really busy. Most people wearing nice clothes.
I've also crossed that bridge after 7 days in the bush smelling really ripe and looking all grizzly. Funny to come out of the mountains to crowds like that.

I hiked that in my skimountaineering boots. So probably inbetween ski boots and teleboots for comfort. But no way as nice as snowboard boots I bet.

[Mr Wiggles]

I took a 100-yen-coin-sized piece of skin off my ankle hiking a mere 4km in my snowboard boots. It's stopped me from going out this week.

Riding beats hiking down by miles. Its much faster, it's much more fun, and its much easier. Hiking down is also what usually causes muscle stiffness in your quads.

[Toque]

That doesn't sound too nice Mr.Wiggles
Where were you going?

I had the starting of blisters under my big toes. They were huge as well. About 100 yen size but they never popped and stopped rubbing as soon as I put my skis on for skinning

Blisters suck poo though. Best thing to do I find is to just build up the scar tissue.

[SnowConnection]

montaya, thank you for your info about Japan Haute Route. The route is separated into three sections, Tateyama to Kitanomata, Kitanomata to Sugoroku, and Sugoroku to Kamikochi. The most popular section is Kitanomata to Sugoroku, where skiers get into from Kamioka-shindo(Uchiho), stay Tarodaira hut, stay Kurobegoro hut, stay Sugoroku hut and go down to Shinhodaka-Onsen. Most skiers use huts open in GW week only, so you must speak fluent Japanese for the huts accomodations, or accompany with a well Japanese speaking friend. As per Sugoroku area, the easier way is to buy a three-days BC tour (once a year, GW week only) from Koike Lodge system. The tour is a round trip from Shinhodka-Onsen to Sugoroku hut staying two nights. It is for advanced skiers, and requires crampons. The guide speaks Japanese only. I do not know if snowboarders are accepted. I've never seen snowboaders and Gaijins.

[Fattwins]

be a man and camp

[SnowConnection]

Yes, you can pitch your tent at the backyard of Sugoroku hut. I am too old to carry a tent and food.

[Fattwins]

was joking snowC, but I know lots of guys who tour in Japan and get away with very little Japanese. Toque cant say much and he gets around pretty good. ive yet to be turned away at a hut too. Toque also said possible big snow up high today cause the roads were closed.

[SnowConnection]

Fattwins, that's problem really for non-Japanese speaking people who want to have BC skiing/snowboardig in Japan. All are only Japanese, signs, pamplets, and local instructions at rural locations. Mostly ordinary local people can not speak English well, or hesitate to speak Englsh. Hut owners may hung up telephone just when hearing English voices. I had a similar experience in France with my poor Englsh. When I reserve a ski hut in US/Canada, I must have telephone conversation once with the guide in additon to much e-mail comm, because the guide may have concern about my English conversation skill.
Last Saturday, a fine day, I saw no Gaijins at Harinoki valley where Gaijins would be hard to get the local information. The scenary from the top of Harinoki Peak was GREAT! I think such place must be kept as a stache from Gaijins by language barrier. On the other hand, I would want SJ Gaijins to see the scenary and enjoy the new fresh snow fell two days before. Am I a meddler?

[Toque]

I think you have the wrong idea about things there SnowConnection

I have never had trouble getting around in Japan and I have had only good experiences interacting with people in the mountains.
Although I usually stay in my tent I have stayed in huts and it has not been a problem. It's not a language barrier that is keeping gaijin from the mountains. It is just a general lack of knowledge. Almost all gaijin that come to Japan don't come to go bc skiing or general downhill skiing for that matter. While some of us do most don't even realize that there is potential for rippin trips.

You just have to have an open mind.

[Fattwins]

snowC
Am I a meddler? I dont think so. your information is good.

We just dont think you have to have language skills to get around thats all.

Now about access number one Japan is easy, there are marked trails everywhere and the exposure in minimal at best.

Canada exposure high less signs and marked trails. Hiking in is sometimes more dangerous than the sking. Huts for the most part have no food either. Thus you must look after yourself.

I agree with Toque that there just arent that many Gaijins that are into winter touring. Even if people are into winter touring alot of people just dont cart all their gear over here when they do come. It took me quite a few trips to resettle myself in Japan and there is still tons of stuff that I want to bring from Canada.

[Toque]

 Quote:

Originally posted by SnowConnection:
The tour is a round trip from Shinhodka-Onsen to Sugoroku hut staying two nights. It is for advanced skiers, and requires crampons. The guide speaks Japanese only. I do not know if snowboarders are accepted. I've never seen snowboaders and Gaijins.

I know the area that you are speaking of very well Snowconnection. This area is not for advanced skiers only and in fact I would say it is a great place for people wanting to get a start in the BC. Yes it is remote but the hills arn't as steep and rugged as say a place like the Karasawa or the valleys coming off Yari.
And to say that Snowboarders arn't allowed to go there is way crazy. Why you would say that I don't know.

I think that you do not see many gaijin in this area because most gaijin don't stay in Japan that long. They really only get into the obvious places (Tateyama, Kamikochi area) before having to leave at the end of their visas. Most only stay at longest 3 years and it usually takes a year to get familier with the good places to go. But don't worry SnowConnection. Soon we will find all the secret places and then we will tell the world about them

[Fattwins]

Toque you are very lucky to live where you live. You get a nice little playground out there. Imagine where you would be sking if you would have been put in Hokkaido dude.

[Creek Boy]

Toque would drive 7 hours to Asahidake from Sapporo every Friday night, sleep in his car, ski Sat & Sun, then drive back late-night Sun. Ski Sapporo kokusai Mon-Thurs. and do it all over again.

We know Niseko isnt good enough for somebody like you...

[Toque]

Well like Yama says I'd probably find my way to some sort of snow.

[SnowConnection]

Toque, thank you for your comment. I agree with you in terms of "Stronger" mountaineers world. But, there must be many Gaijins who want to enjoy Japan BC snowing with moderate skiing/snowbordering skills. They mostly can not read Kanji on topo maps and bus/train time tables. They do not want to carry tents and sleeping bags. They might not have their own cars. They want to stay at huts or lodges. (For me in North America, it is lot of fun to have chatting with Canadians/Americans at huts after dinner as well as skiing with them.) It might be easy to say that they are not quailifed for enjoying Japan BC snowing....
As per Mt.Sugoroku area, I wanted to say that I do not know if the guide accept snowboarders as his customers. I beleive it is good places for snowboarders also. I do not recommend BC beginners to go to Sugoroku area. There are many hard sections. A Japanese guide book ranks there as three stars grade(experts). I recommend even advanced BC skiers to buy the guide service. Then, I see language problem.

[Toque]

 Quote:

Originally posted by SnowConnection:
Toque, thank you for your comment. I agree with you in terms of "Stronger" mountaineers world. But, there must be many Gaijins who want to enjoy Japan BC snowing with moderate skiing/snowbordering skills. They mostly can not read Kanji on topo maps and bus/train time tables. They do not want to carry tents and sleeping bags. They might not have their own cars. They want to stay at huts or lodges. (For me in North America, it is lot of fun to have chatting with Canadians/Americans at huts after dinner as well as skiing with them.) It might be easy to say that they are not quailifed for enjoying Japan BC snowing....
As per Mt.Sugoroku area, I wanted to say that I do not know if the guide accept snowboarders as his customers. I beleive it is good places for snowboarders also. I do not recommend BC beginners to go to Sugoroku area. There are many hard sections. A Japanese guide book ranks there as three stars grade(experts). I recommend even advanced BC skiers to buy the guide service. Then, I see language problem.

I have to say Snowconnection that you don't have to read Kanji to get into the Japanese outdoors. I take maps on all my trips and can't read a single character. The maps are covered in far to much Kanji. All you have to look at to get by safely in the mountains are the international symbols. Those are the contour lines, mountain heights, waterfall marks, lat/long...

As for bus times and what not. Japanese people love helping out and more than a few occasions I have been helped out by friendly Japanese people. I don't rely on this though and always leave enough time to get by if there are problems.

I don't agree with your comment about hiring a guide as an important thing. I've been throughout the alps on my own and have not had a problem. All it takes is the ability to read a map and a general want to explore a new area.

Sorry I misunderstood one of your comments there. Maybe the guide that you use does not accept snowboarders. I guess that is his choice.
I have however seen mixed trips (skiers/snowboarders) being led by guides in Japan and they have tackled some very difficult and cool terrain.
I would love to get into the areas that they get into. I'm sad and happy that my time in Japan is limited. Sad cause I will be missing out some of the cool areas I still want to get into and happy cause I'm getting the experence to tackle the even bigger mountains back home in Canada

Thanks for the little debate here SnowConnection

[Toque]

And there are english speaking guides in Japan

If anybody wants the names of some of them I or somebody can easily point you in the right direction.

[Fattwins]

Yeah snow keep the info coming its always. Its also ok to disagree and have a little debate. Id look forward to meeting you in the mountains next year for a little trip.

Toque is pretty safe most of the areas he goes into he has hiked in the summer (green season). He usally doesnt just do something on a whim either. He is a damn good map reader too, better than most.

Toque has talked about using guides for certain areas, ie tsurugi or places that you need to rope into or know when to stop.