Mick Rich
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Posts posted by Mick Rich
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Cheers Pete!
Next question:- How did you do that? I ask as I'm going to be uploading shedloads of photos over the next day or so! 
yoroshiku, ne.
Edit: Worked it out now, thanks!
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Love the winter/summer contrast in those photos Metabo!
Right, here's my contribution:- 2 shots of Yuzawa Kogen taken from Gala Yuzawa on Tuesday - the 1st from the Central Area and the 2nd from the Southern Area (apologies if the links don't work - I'm not yet used to the new uploading system!).
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On a similar topic, anyone know or recommend board tuning places in Hakuba?
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Mr. Rich, what brand of painkillers do you carry? Can you buy them without a prescription? I took a slam on my skateboard and busted my shoulder a year or so ago. I couldn't find anything with much effect on the shelves of the local drug store.
Nothing special, just normal strength paracetamol from the UK, which I get anyone and everyone to bring out for me when they come over as I know it works (for me) plus seems to be far cheaper than anything else I've seen here.
Had my own scary moment y'day at Gala. Was playing in the trees in the Southern Area and on the 2nd run through the section I was doing, popped over a roller but a metre or so to the right of my first line and at a slightly different angle. Needless to say there was now a tree blocking my way so as I was mid-air, just tried to shift my weight as much as I could to the left and waited for the impact. More by luck than judgment I missed the main trunk and hit the foliage, then buried myself in the pow! After several deep breaths and a few minutes digging myself out, I got back on piste, rode straight to the bottom, emptied my bladder, drank a large black coffee and sat down in the sunshine, contemplating life!
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It's called Paradise Alley for a good reason!!
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Didn't know by the time I headed up the hill to Gala!! No complaints though, as the Southern Area was open with knee-deep powder and clear skies :-)
Am now back in Kanagawa uploading photos!
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Have never looked at them with families in mind but I'd agree with goz given the time he's spent at Rusutsu and the fact that it has an amusement park nextdoor and a merry-go-round/carousel behind the front desk!
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Good work Metabo!
The magnificent Mt Granview from Maiko. Sorry very rubbish photo!
It's magnificence still shines through!!
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Good morning from Paradise Alley! Looking out the window up to the Gala station I can see both fresh snow and a bit of blue sky. The wind forecast hasn't yet changed so am debating whether to get myself to Echigo-Yuzawa station and wait for more news on Kagura or just get myself up to Gala!
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Looks like it was a nice day Metabo, but is it the same place without the Rangers??
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Great report for a great day, the ending excepted, though can't think of a better place to have spent your last day (or 2 hours, 12 minutes of it) than at the big G!!
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Glad to hear you are ok mate.
Put a proper high db whistle on the zipper of your jacket so its right there when you need it.
That's what I have, plus a little flashlight, some painkillers and a few other odds and sods in my pockets, mainly because I hate carrying a backpack.
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....if it's open.
The forecast hadn't changed or been updated so I decided to head back to Yuzawa Kenkouland (via the ATM), where I'm now enjoying a maguro-don (buri) in the tatami tv lounge :-) As for tomorrow, I'll see what the forecast says when I wake up and take it from there, either Kagura if the wind's not too bad or Gala, hoping that the Southern area's open. In any case it's still snowing outside and the forecast is for more tonight but clearer skies tomorriw so hopefully it'll be a good one!
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So are they your tracks, Mick?
Can't see on the ol' iPhone so if they look good, then yes but if not, then no!!
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As you well know Muika, nothing can match Granview but what can you do?
I'll post a proper review when I get back on a pc but everyone was right about where the good bits were at Maiko, so thanks for the heads up! Sadly those bits also had the worst vis but it was still fun out there today. Muika was also right about the Nagamine area - I did a couple of laps straight-lining the zig-zag course though did get a bit bogged down in the trees! The gondola also stopped running due to the wind, not that I used it after the first run up ;-)
Oh, and my board bag remained hidden until my return, so I celebrated with a 400Yen hot dog and a 150Yen coffee, leaving me 67Yen left towards tonight's first beer, now consumed following a visit to the ATM :-) カンパイ‼
Thanks again guys!
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I went a bit snap happy with the camera, the views were so gran(d)
Good work onehunga!! Look forward to having a proper look on the pc, as well as uploading my own, when I get back tomorrow night//Weds.
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I can now see the magnificent Granview slopes (& my BC ridge run) from the Maiko shuttle bus! Looks gnarly!!!
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I am!! You you can't see me???
Great snow out there, though would prefer to see it as well as feel it!! It was better in the trees, though wind gusts would occasionally blow off the new snow from the branches causing a temporary white-out!! All good fun though :-)
Right, onwards and upwards:-
http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/23848-kagura-quandary/
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So the plan today was to get a morning in at Maiko (done!) then head over to the Wadagoya Mountain Hut at Kagura before the gondola closes. I knew the top lifts would be shut there today because of the high winds, which means there'll be plenty of untracked pow to play in on Tuesday, and staying there gives you first tracks in all that loveliness!! The trouble is that tomorrow's forecast is also now saying 40-45 km/h up top.
So do I gamble and stay there, with the possibility of more lift closures, or go spend another (cheaper) night at Yuzawa Kenkouland (which actually wasn't bad) then hit up another resort tomorrow, knowing that everywhere's going to be good? If the latter, I'm thinking about Gala, then I could treat myself to an unreserved shink seat home!
What say you?
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Cheers Muika!! Can't see much but it's dumping down so no complaints :-)
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The top Okusoeji bowl area should be very good today. Head straight up there!
Which lift(s) do I need for that? Am now on the gondy!
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Update: they accept visa AND I could remember my pin number!! Big lockers cost 600Yen so I took the only sensible, rational if not honourable course of action open to me - I've 'hidden' my board bag and still have 617Yen for lunch ;-)
Right, enough chit-chat, it's time to ride - let's Maiko!!
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Very kind - will keep you posted!
Kagura Quandary!
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
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I'm having some 'technical' issues but like my visit to the big G, all good things come to those who wait!