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Welcome once again to another session of the Back country Board Room.
First I would like to say that my predictions for this seasons weather
were way off....
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We ended up with the warmest season I have observed for 8 seasons in Hakuba.
We were not lacking on the precipitation side but a lack of cold fronts brought
rain and massive dumps of heavy snow instead of the great powder that is
typical of the North Alps.
COMMENTS: circa new years
2002
Enough already. Yes there is a point where too much is way too much, and that
time is now. It won't stop snowing here. Hakuba Cortina is boasting 270 cms of
coastal pow. Supposedly a break in the system tomorrow or Monday.
As a result of this overall lower than usual snowfall and warm weather the
slopes have been melting away faster than normal. The last powder of the season
was undoubtedly last weeks dump of 50cms that left us with an end of the season
bonus. Unfortunately this nice snow was killed when three days later it warmed
and rained up to 1800m. All in all, however, the season provided huge smiles
and face shots of massive proportion for those who hit the good days. Thanks to
Ular for another season of the white, fluffy stuff.
Although the powder season may be over, the spring touring season is just
starting! This is the time of year for easy travel in the mountains as the snow
has packed down and the high pressure fronts generally last longer to provide
windows of good weather. This easier travel and clear weather allows for over
night / multi day trips to those far to reach peaks and mountain traverses that
the deep snows and storms of winter would not permit. Generally the snow pack
is more stable and weak layers have disappeared under all the weight of the
dense spring snow. In saying this, however, the back country enthusiast must be
careful of an isothermic snow pack; a snow pack that has a constant temperature
of 0 degrees centigrade from top to bottom, or some large portion of the snow
pack. This type of pack during spring warming can release at any time as the
many layers with in have lost cohesion with each other. You will know that you
have found this type of snow when your feet punch in to the snow up to your
waist with little resistance. you can generally avoid this type of snow pack by
staying to the more shaded Northerly slopes.
So you and some friends have decided that you are going to head out into the
mountains for a day or two. There are a few things that you are going to want
to check out first and then prepare for in your trip plan;
Who are you going to be traveling with?
Numbers, Skill level, BC experience & Fitness level.
Where will you travel to?
Route planning, Maps, Guide books, Local knowledge.
Are your up and down routes suitable for everyone in your group?
How long will it take?
Plan for set backs and prepare for these. Don't be caught off guard.
Inform someone of your plans and expected return
date and time.
Sign out from where your leaving from and check back in on return.
( Tozan Todoke, Mountaineering sign out form )
Keep an eye on the weather.
How is the weather prior to your trip and how will it be at the time of
your trip.
Are you prepared for any type of weather?
Do you have the equipment in the group to cope with
emergencies?
Overnight gear (warm cloths, headlamp, shelter), First aid kit, Tool kit,
Rope, Extra food, Radio/Cell phone, Beacons, Shovels and Probes.
Once all preparations are finished and your destination
planned, it's time to head out there and do it.
Be wise with your time and your energy.
Pick routes that will provide for the safest and most efficient traveling.
Have enough breaks to keep energy up but not so many that they slow progress
and cause cramping.
Know when your turn around time is and stick to it.
Be careful with goals.
Try not to set goals that are not achievable by all members of the group.
Be flexible with goals set.
If time, weather or ability do not permit you to safely achieve your goal
it is better to abandon it than to put the groups safety at risk.
Remember the reason for being in the mountains is for the freedom and the
pleasure, leave the ego and the dead lines at the office and just have fun.
Don't just jump in.
Gain experience in the back country with knowledgeable friends, hire a guide to
show you the ropes or take part in a how to BC ride workshop.
Start off on tours that will be fun and are not in overly dangerous terrain.
First, choose areas that are close to ski hills or road access, in case of
emergencies.
Check avalanche conditions for the slope you will ride, using stability tests,
observations through out the day, and snow profile observations to access snow
stability.
Think about group spacing and the safe usage of terrain to be ridden.
There are many things to think about while traveling in the mountains and one
must be prepared for all situations.
I returned just the other day from two days out, with a close
friend and my dog Tuwa, on a trip to Hakuba Yariga Dake that was a great but
physically draining trip for all. We hiked for 6 hours on the first day to our
campsite at Obinata Col, still below tree line and in a sheltered area out of
the wind, at about half-way point to our goal, the peak of Yari. After a break
and picture taking session we set up our tent, got rolling on dinner and
started melting water for the next day. After a delicious pasta dinner with
Atsukan (warm sake) for Jai and myself and Science Diet and a bone for Tuwa it
was time to hit the sack.
The wind kicked up during the night and I went outside to make a check that
everything was secured and would be there in the morning. There is nothing
worse than waking up in the morning to find that half your camp including your
snowboard has been carried away to greener fields.
The morning came soon and we slept in until 5:30 before we managed to wriggle
our way out of those cozy warm bags and into cool morning clothes and boots, an
hour later than scheduled. Though the beautiful view out our front flap of the
morning Sun light hitting the peak of Yari with the Moon off to the south and
the urge to ride the face of that monolith in front of you is far more
incentive than is needed. After breakfast we pack up all gear and tent and
leave what we will not need for the accent and decent of the day. We still have
quite heavy packs with all that we will use during the day out and might need
in the event of an accident.
Bags Packed and bellies full we start our decent at 7:10; 350m to Yari Zawa
Valley where we change into climbing mode for the 1100m climb to Yari peak. We
arrive at Yari Onsen, the natural hot spring at the base of Mt. Yari to deposit
two brews to chill for our return from the mountain to appreciatively consume
while soaking our tired bones; Tuwa will have to settle for water, a few
Scoobie Snacks and a mid day nap in the sun.
After a short rest and beer drop we continue up the steep face
of Yari's east face that is warming in the hot morning sun. It is already 9 by
the time we get going and the walking is slow and cumbersome in the soft melt
snow. We keep about 50 meters between us and climb cautious of slides. The sun
is radiating the slope but the cool temperature and gentle cooling breeze keeps
things pretty much in place and gives us the drive needed to climb step by step
up the side of the mountain.
Nearing the ridge the winds gain intensity and we are greeted on the ridge at
11:45 with gale force winds. These winds along with time constraints make use
decide not to climb the remaining 180 vertical meters to the peak but drop in
from the ridge and b line for those cool beers and hot bath 700 meters below.
Jai drops in first and rides half way before stopping on the central prominent
ridge inside Yari's huge South bowl out of the way of avi danger. Then it's
Tuwa and my turn to get in to it. Tuwa jumps in first and makes a b-line for
Jai, while I carve up the bowl as best I can. At about 100 meters from Jai I
hit some large Strugi ( wind formed waves of snow ) having to use every shock
absorbing ability that my legs have not to bail hard. We all group up then head
down to the hot spring and the waiting beers. En route I let off a small wet
slide that Tuwa decides she is going to challenge, I call for her to come to me
and she runs off before being carried away with the wet goo that is starting to
gain weight and momentum. I then put away the visions of doing a beacon search
for my dog, who is wearing an SOS beacon.
We carry on down where the slide has cleared off the top 20cms of wet goo and
ride some decent firm snow in reasonable safety strait to the hot water and
cool beers; there couldn't be a more of a tasty combo any where and definitely
not out in the back country. After a long soak we are dry in the warm breeze
and get ready for our trip back to base camp.
Having to cross the remnants of a huge class 3.5 slide en route, can be
assimilated to going up and down like a small ship at sea on the debris' walls
of snow and ice. Once across we shoe back to Obinata Col to pack up the rest of
our gear and start on our 1000m decent with 20 kilo packs back to
uncivilization in a quickly approaching front of low pressure and the gale
force winds that met use on the Yari Ridge.
We got to the bottom just as our ride arrived and before I could utter the
words 'Oh, my aching back', I was handed yet another cool beer to end a great
two days in sweet bliss.
This next weekend I'll be making my way to the top of Mt. Shirauma Dake just to
put insult to injury, and for the fact that it is such a rush to just get out
there and do it. Hope you all have happy trails and hope our paths will cross
out in the mountains.
Thanks to Marc for all of the pictures.
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