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Mick Rich

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Posts posted by Mick Rich

    Maiko or Bust!

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Having stupidly not checked how much money I had on me before having a few too many post-Granview celebratory beers last night and then taking a taxi to Echigo-Yuzawa station this morning, I'm now on the (thankfully free) shuttle bus to Maiko with the grand total of 617Yen in my wallet! Hopefully they take Visa at the ticket booth and the lockers are cheap ;-)

    A 2 or 3-day Niigata Trip - to G or not to G?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Excellent.

    Hard to believe that it would even be possible to far exceed your expectations, as high as they were....but I suppose that's just Mt Granview for you. You just got to go there and experience it!

     

    Must say I was actually a bit disappointed with the snow at Maiko this morning. It was fine, I was just expecting it to be better.

     

    Should've gone to Granview ;-)

     

    Hopefully Maiko's going to get a good topping up tonight, as that's my planned port of call tomorrow! If nothing else it should be quieter than today!

    A 2 or 3-day Niigata Trip - to G or not to G?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    I'm now safely holed up in Yuzawa Kenkouland whilst onehunga is once again braving the Devil's Highway back to Yokohama. We had a great day out on the slopes. I kid you not when I say that the big G far exceeded all my expectations! The sunshine and knee-deep powder no doubt helped but I really enjoyed it! I'll post a full review and photos when I get back on Tues/Weds. & yes, we also visited THE telephone box on route to Kagura ;-) It's been a BIG day!!!

    A 2 or 3-day Niigata Trip - to G or not to G?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Was sorting out all my kit post-Myoko, pre-Yuzawa!! :D

     

    Option 3 sounds flippin' good onehunga!! Where are you going tomorrow? & where's Totsuka? I'm on the outskirts of Kawasaki, but just as near Tokyo near route 246/on the Denentoshi Line! :thumbsup:

     

    Edit 1: If that's Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, we're 32km/30 mins apart according to the SJ Route Finder!!

    Edit 2: Of course it goes without saying that I'd pay towards petrol, etc.

    for those who have flat feet, what kind of footbeds/insoles do you use?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    I've been thinking about getting some Superfeet insoles for a while as I know the standard ones you get with snowboard boots aren't up to much and I've got fairly high arches. Finally tried some (borrowed ones) yesterday - the Green ones, for high arches - and whilst they felt perfect for my left foot, they were causing pain in my right, so I swapped that one back over mid-morning. This may have been due to the ankle support I only wear on my right foot (to protect an old ligament injury) or the fact that my right foot is bigger than my left. In any case I ought to get my feet measured on one of those funky, new machines that KD mentioned above. Will try to do this next week, so will keep you posted. :friend:

    A 2 or 3-day Niigata Trip - to G or not to G?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    So with a forecast of another decent amount of snowfall on Sunday night, I'm planning a short trip to Paradise Alley, aka the resorts in and around Yuzawa. Factors to consider are the forecast high winds and the ever-present financial constraints, though this may be the last chance I have to get some powder action this season so I'm kind of flexible on the latter! :D

     

    With the above in mind, this is my current train of thought:-

     

    Option 1 - A 3-day trip to Granview, Maiko and Kagura/Naeba

     

    This would mean travelling up by train tomorrow morning (non-shink to save money), allowing me to hit the hallowed Granview slopes by mid-afternoon and staying at Yuzawa Kenkouland (the cheap, overnight onsen place just below Gala) on Sunday night. I would then hit Maiko on Monday morning (forecast to get plenty of snow and less of the strong winds than other resorts) before heading over to Mitsumata after lunch to get up to the Wadagoya mountain hut at the top of the Kagura gondola. Kagura is forecast to gets lots of snow (and wind) on Sunday night and through Monday, so I reckon the top lifts will be closed on Monday but hopefully open on Tuesday, giving me first tracks. If that plan/gamble fails and they're still closed on Tuesday, I think Naeba (the Wadagoya ticket covers both resorts) will still be open, being less susceptible to wind-problems! I will therefore ride Kagura and/or Naeba on Tuesday before getting the train back to Tokyo.

     

    Advantages:- I finally get to ride Granview, albeit only for a couple of hours.

    Disadvantages:- Sunday (tomorrow) will be a long day; it's going to cost an extra 6,000Yen (when you factor in the extra overnighter) for those couple of hours of Granview action!

     

    Option 2 - A 2-day trip to Maiko and Kagura/Naeba

     

    This means getting the early Monday morning shink up to Echigo-Yuzawa then the shuttle bus to Maiko, and thereafter following the same plan as above.

     

    Advantages:- A relaxing Sunday at home; an extra night in my own bed; 6,000Yen cheaper.

    Disadvantages:- A 5am start, no Granview!!

     

    So, to G or not to G, that is the question??? :confused:

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