Training Log Archive: revy

Tokachidake area - this region is popular for touring (no lifts) and the potential for some great alpine tours exists. Unfortunately the weather was again cloudy (though we got some partial views of the big peaks) and shortly after leaving the parking lot the snow started...

Parking lot was full which was a shock after a couple quiet days - kind of like Rogers Pass though like Rogers Pass once we left the parking lot everyone dissipated in various directions. It may have helped I took us beyond the usual ski zone on Furanodake to the next shoulder. Found lots of untracked snow - fun skiing in open trees. Snow was deep but could feel a hard layer underneath at times. Finished with a nice soak in the onsen nearby.

An adventurous day south of Furano towards Ashibetsudake. The weather did not allow continuation towards the alpine and no views were had but we found some nice trees higher up on the ridge. The first run didn't link up well but much better on the second run. Last run was marred by me kicking off a 20cm slab on a roll that ran quite a ways (I was left near the crown). I was OK but that dampened that run a bit. Lower down the bushes were a little excessive to make it a really good run (and the gullies do affect fall line skiing here). Had to do some interesting navigation to get out (and find a creek crossing). Too bad about the lack of views - enjoyed the day none the less. Snow was super deep...

Interesting first day on Hokkaido (after a few days in Kyoto)...

Only Atsuko, Courtney, Russ, Vikki and myself as the rest of the crew were visiting Hiroshima. I thought the terrain around Tommamu looked interesting but I didn't want to pay for a lift ticket so I found an alternate route to access the area. The skiing was excellent with a good base and very light snow on top. Hero skiing and the terrain was nice open areas mixed with open trees. I was surprised by the lack of other tracks and our access seemed rather easy. It turned out though that we were parked at the local dump behind a gate (that we had not noticed). The gate was due to close at 3pm and an empty van in the middle of nowhere lead to the police getting called, our rental car company being contacted, etc.. To make matters worse we had not registered our backcountry plan with the police (a rule in Japan that is not always followed). Anyway once we arrived at the van we had a visit from the police explaining the situation - he seemed friendly and we didn't get into any trouble but still stressful and put a damper on what had been a stellar day. We've been submitting a travel plan since...

Courtney wanted to get some exercise so did a speed hike/run through Nozawa including some trail breaking through deep fresh snow (just our luck as we were leaving) up beyond the shrine.

The rest of the gang went to see the snow monkeys however I wasn't that keen so I went for a solo ski at the Nozawa nordic trails. This was the location for the Nagano biathlon competition. Only 5km is groomed currently - it looks like there are more loop options possible. I'm surprised they don't expand the loop (there is space) but it doesn't seem to be a priority. Most of the people who use these trails are training (racers) or school groups which given the Japanese psyche (rep after rep to master a skill) might explain why there is no appetite to expand. I was amazed at how many people just went around and around the training stadium... tried it myself at the end for a cool down.

Interestingly finding information about the trails in english was very difficult and signage to get to the trail was non existent. There is Japanese info on the Nozawa ski hill webpage but no english translation (Snow Harp did have english signs). Another interesting Japanese nordic tidbit is the need to wear a bib with a number on it - It felt like we were in a slow race. According to the bib I was taking part in "cross countory" skiing:)

Fun trails and did 3.5 laps. Some technical downhills again as the trails were purpose built for the Olympics. The actual building infrastructure appears to be falling into disrepair a bit unfortunately.

Walked back to the ryokan afterwards through Nozawa which is a fascinating onsen town (hot water runs through the town and seems to be used by many houses for heating, washing, cooking, etc).

C • Enjoying your adventures! 1