Tex
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Posts posted by Tex
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Last year they definitely had a map with cracks marked at gate 3 (well just off the meat hook)... did not see one this year mid to late jan... but I think the cracks appeared after I left so not sure if they have put them up now.
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I added a roll of duct tape and decent STRONG multitool this year (already have rope). Duct tape for all sorts of uses but good for making rescue sled from skis, shovel head etc and multitool with good screw driver accessories so you can remove bindings from snow boards, if required, as well as the usual cutting implements. Get a phone that can use Ski trax or similar app... GPS enabled without need for data for exact co-ord locations for calling in rescuers.
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With out doubt the first priority is being seen getting into trouble (but not getting into trouble is preferable). This means having at least on buddy but also being able to see that buddy at all times. This can be hard if you are following standard avi precautions and not entering the slope at the same time. Therefore having 2 buddies is better. One top, one bottom (in safe ground).
Two incidents as example, both last week. The first, believe it or not was on the Family run! I was just trying my hand at that most ridiculous and masochistic of past times; teaching my spouse to snowboard and a youngish (10-11) child boarded past us and was going to carve the high bank on skiers right, bordering the trees, just as you pass the Alpen. A lot of snow dropped out about a metre into a hot spot under the bank and the boarder fell butt first into the hole so only the top of the board was barely visible.
This boarder was under a very large overhang of snow on the bank... fortunately it did not let go, it could have easily. I don't think anyone but my partner and I saw the boarder hit the hole and go in. but a few saw them stuck and screaming for help as I went over to help. Plenty of people rode right past as I tried to drag them out, at first fruitlessly as more snow dropped into the hole, but I got them out in the end after a couple of minutes hoping the snow above did not fall on them. Seriously I rode away thinking if just a very small amount of snow had of dropped from the snow bank onto that boarder the ending could have been far worse, and I am not one to catastrophise. Despite my repeated notice to the lift ops it took them 2 more days to put up some poles in front of the hole. I should have gone to ski patrol not the lift op.
2nd example: while out riding BC with a group we heard cries for help... at first thinking it was just someone in a separate group stuck in snow calling out to another in the group we made our way down to check and make sure. A skier had some serious injuries after hitting a tree, they had taken the run first and then their buddy went down as per good practice. On reaching the bottom the buddy could not see the first skier anywhere... then faintly heard crying and had to boot pack (maybe they skinned) straight back up the slope, lucky to find the injured skier before they lost conscientiousness... we came by about 30min later and they would likely have been in dire straits had we not taken that same gully run.
Moral is one buddy at least, preferably 2. Keep sight of at least one other at all times... the more I go out the more I respect how EASILY things can go from glorious to potentially fatal in one turn.
Peace!
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In my opinion there's a big disconnect in the recreational skier / snowboarder's mind as to what is and isn't 'safe' in the Niseko Resort Area.
My take on things is many assume that if the gates are open then everything is OK.
Many are oblivious to the dangers beyond the ropes and through the gates.
Sorry Mike was typing while you posted.... just what I was trying to say but far more eloquently.
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I think the vast majority respect the rules but there are still far too many who do not... People just go out and hit the mountain, exit open gates because they are open with not a thought as to checking all the ample information available. The problem as I see it is that the conditions are so changeable people think it will always be good out and the assessment is to conservative. However with the light dry snow that falls the snow pack consolidates quite quickly in this area but some people just cannot get it through their thick skulls that one day the gates are closed due to extreme avi risk then next day they are all open with a medium or low risk... the fools think that is never as bad as stated I believe.
As far a cracks go if they are mentioned in reports; if you ask the patrollers at gates they will ALWAYS give you a good location of where they are and they will print up a location map and display it with the Avi Report near the open gates. I love having a quick chat to the patroller at Gate 3/4 and ask him about where I intend to go for the day first time out or again if conditions are changing, drop in points into the back bowl etc... they have always been very helpful and seem very thankful you take advantage of their presence to do so. That has been my experience anyway.
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Rhythm are probably the cheapest with a wide range for hire. Probably a massive 2 minute walk from M Hotel...
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Yeh need to get a taxi
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I arrive on the 18th but probably wont be out too much as we are staying with a few families who will not head out much ... my BC buddy has bailed so will need to find a new buddy to hit the peak and go exploring!
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NOOO Redraw.....
Congrats winners Thx for the chance SJ'ers!
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Slight delay with this, will happen tomorrow.
Thanks.
WOOHOO!
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REDRAW!!! I must have missed out
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The first picture is from the base of Mt Annupuri (looking up the Nth face, that which faces Iwaonupuri) just off where the road would normally go through past Goshiki,(Goshiki is to the right of frame) the ridge on the right is what you would need to hike over to the back bowl. The second picture is just a closer view of the gully on the right just below that ridge.
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Yes drive up past Goshiki and park before you hit the snowbank at the end of the road
If you have a driver you can ride off the Nth face of Annupuri, the gully skiers right of the ridge between the back bowl and nth face offers best snow... very top can get pretty icy and wind swept on the true nth aspect out of that gully, but you can traverse around from the east side if you run out nth along the spur from the peak. As you walk out from the road end or looking left if coming over from Annupuri the ridgeline (or just below it) on the left of the south face of Iwanipuri is a good route IIRC.
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Nice shooting Tex
Bet never thought you would ever use line.
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nice vid Tex......but terrible song!! The vocals are extremely grating.
Not my Vid Tubby, so the music was someone elses fault
(though I kinda like it).Seeing as how you asked for it
here is one of mine. How is your Austrian/German? 
and perhaps this makes the point beter @tokyo 
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Maybe here's the answer
Maybe... probably this though
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Well it wasn't long back I heard a woman on talk back radio here claiming her family was struggling on only $250,000 a year!
It certainly is all relative but at times it's just plain ridiculous.
Oh the poor dear... if I had an address I would send a food package
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Landing look more dangerous than the jump!
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The Vale is VERY NICE! Get tickets when you arrive, you can check out the options online in the mean time. As stated by Sand, they won't be included in lessons. Consider the 'points' ticket for your girl friend. You buy so many points and each lift has different point value that will debit your purcahsed points... BUT I would recommend just getting the Niseko Hirafu 8hr ticket and see how she goes because if she is just a beginner learning she is likely to be doing a lot of rounds on the family run, which conveniently is right out the back of the Vale.
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I have previously gone with out but will be taking mine this year.
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Sounds Good Tex
Let's hope it's pukes all night and the sun shines during day.
Just let me know which day/s you are there.
Seemore
Will do will be short notice pending said pukage... Will be somewhere in the 2-6th feb set of days...
Cheers
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Rusutsu from the Feb 2nd - 11th the Sapporo the 11th for the Ice festival and beer museum.
By myself so if anyone is keen for some turns/ beers.
Seemore
Seemore I will be over (drive from Niseko) for at least a day... proabaly two sometime around then... will be in touch.
Iwaonupuri (back of Mt Annupuri)
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Not the originals that I had up on here... they have been lost along with the computer they were on, but these are captured from a video I took of the same aspects. Just to be clear these are taken on the way up Iwaonupuri looking back to Mt Annupuri... after lobbing over the back then shoeing Iwaonu... On a clear day the routes are quite obvious and no doubt others would be out. In bad weather forget it or take a guide.