Method

"Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" by Bruce Tremper is what most people consider the "bible". http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/1594850844 It's worth having a look on the web too as there's some fantastic online avalanche resources e.g. http://www.avalanche...g/online-course http://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/Online-Avalanche-Course/Intro.asp http://utahavalanchecenter.org/tutorials

2m is a massive crown, hence why the avalanche was a size 3, that's massive. In most cases, not survivable even if someone was able to dig you out swiftly. A tragic situation and my heart goes out to the families of those involved. Fantastic that the JAN gave us an english translation (thank you JAN ), it's my one wish that we could get a region-by-region daily summary (using the North American avalanche public danger scale i.e. low, moderate, considerable, high, extreme) with a short précis of current conditions (primary and secondary problems e.g. Loose Dry, Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs

Yes we hiked up. You are all over that, like a fat kid on a cupcake! Nice one magseven

I don't know where that even is, so no! Sorry.

It might be a bit obscure, but here goes...

Looks like the crazy single chair at seki Onsen

Just based on that short video I would say the following... I treat a snowpack like I'd treat a random nutcase that approaches me with a knife in the street I.e. until i know I can trust you, I'm going to treat you like you could kill me. - an early season snowpack is a thin snowpack - a thin snowpack is a dangerous snowpack, possibly some dangerous facets lurking (with fresh snow on top) - there'd clearly been fresh snow with wind-loading. - that aspect had obviously had some solar warming. - looked like some nasty terrain traps. It's certainly got a lot of red flags about it.

No, it's just a small wind lip.

Yeah works for me, shut 'em all down I say. The walk will set you free.

Seki Onsen

Predominantly locals, you won't be the only gaijin though, I'd try and go mid-week (like anywhere really). There's a nice side country gate skiers left of the top chair.

Leave it closed (chise) I say, makes a nice gladed powder stash for those who don't mind earning their turns, a little flat though particularly for us snowboarders.

Clutching at straws, but maybe that joint with the buddha on the drive between furano and asahikawa?

Minami Furano?

The best backcountry, by definition, is not accessible by lifts!