lastrocker
-
Content Count
87 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by lastrocker
-
-
no friends any day.
It's silly isn't it?
I made the most effort to get here first, this is mine.
Nobody owns anything. Stop being so juvenile.
I consider "juvenile" going out there in the powder with no friends. If something goes wrong what's the plan, digging yourself out? If you have to hike for 600mt vertical in knee deep pow what's the plan, track down all alone and then rest for a week?
I sincerely hope you will understand the difference between "owing" something and the respect for other's efforts, sooner or later. Not in snowboarding, but in everyday life.
-
Surfing is a very aggressive sport there is way to much agro in the water for such a soul surfing background
sure it is, and it sucks for that, but there are too many people in the water and not enough waves... Wintersport population in the hunt for freshies keep growing, it will be the same on the mountain, it's just a matter of time
btw, sorry but i'll pay a couple of visit to Rusutsu soon. I know it's not worth it, but i like wasting money and time
-
Is there such a thing?
For example what do people think of other people traversing across a face to get to untracked, because they are either too lazy or not skilled enough to traverse across the top ridge line.
Another one that happened to me the other day at Rusutsu: I was pushing through thigh deep snow to reach the start of my run into untracked. Then, some $%^t used my trail/hard work to speed past me, drop in first and poach my line. Is this acceptable behaviour or not?
I say it's no go and wouldn't think of doing it to someone else? Or does powder mean anything goes?
I totally agree with you, and I don't really understand all of this "we all paid the same ticket you don't own the lines" mentality. Just because there's no specific rules on the mountain doing whatever you want becomes acceptable? There's no law against cutting the line at the post office or in airport check-in, but if you do that someone will tell you to go back to the end of the line. Same should go with powder, it's not about owing the mountain, it's about respecting each other as in every other aspect of life. If you open the track for a drop in point of an untouched line, you should go first, if someone drops you it's not just "that's of life goes". Education will make the world a better place. Next time shout at him, at least. There should be a more severe etiquette like in surfing. The problem is you can so easily get yourself in place you shouldn't be with all the lifts, fat skis and stuff. In backcountry no one will spoil your line, because if you're there, you are educated enough to know the unwritten laws of the game
-
1
-
-
Shoes will be best for a lot of places in hokkaido.
Where will you be using them?
Around Niseko, so Yotei, Yoichi, Annupuri bc, then Rishiri, Kurodake, and maybe Asahidake.
Mostly short hikes, 2 hours or so, a few longer ones but always daily tours.
From what you all say it looks like snowshoes is the way to go... in the meanwhile i asked to my local friend and they suggested me the same, they're all snowshoers so having the same tool sounds the smart move
-
i know this questions sound dumb, and in part it is, but still...
all of my friends in japan have snowshoes, i rented em the past year, but this year i bought a splitboard. the point is i didn't try it yet, cause season is bad so far in italy, so even if i have a couple of weeks before leaving i will be pretty much new to skinning when i come to japan.
now the tradeoff: i found a cheap flight that has 20kg limit on baggages. with my reg board, my split, all the avi stuff, outerwear etc i'm pretty much overweight. So i could buy snowshoes, leave the split at home and go with the flow.
or, i could buy a more expensive flight ticket, and with the extra 3kg fit all my stuff with the split.
the difference in price is pretty much the cost of snowshoes.
so, besides all of this considerations, what you think is better for hiking in japanese conditions? and if i go with the split, i could have problems following the routes my friends with snowshoes will choose? this info could help my choice, not having tried to skin yet i really can't figure it out, and i heard it depends on conditions...
-
Yes it looks like i'll be in Rishiri, the mission is not 100% confirmed yet depending on my local friends but i should go. The dates for Rishiri are from 8th till 12th, if i go i'll stay in Niseko a bit less then 30 deys but that island place looks so good....
I thin i'll go to Rusutsu a couple of times the time window is just two days but who knows... If i'll be in Rusutsu from 6th February on i'll send you a pm, it would be definitely good to catch up!
-
Hi there, i'm planning a trip to Alaska and i'm pretty sure some of you has been there already...
I will travel alone for the first part of the trip, then two of my friends will join me to go to Tailgate AK in Thompson Pass.
My plan is staying in Girwood for the first ten days, riding Alyeska if there's fresh snow or hitting the backcountry if the resort is tracked down.
The question is: is Alyeska and surroundings good enough for a ten days stay? Or it's bettere stayng there for a shorter time?
And also, is there some other recommended place i could go after Tailgate?
Thanks folks!
-
Thank you guys, hope to get more pics this year, some action one maybe
Cheers
. When are you back in Niseko area this time?i'll be in Niseko from the 13th of January on, for 30 days, then i'll travel a bit, Rishiri and central Hokkaido, for ten days.
You're in the area at that time?
-
it's good to hear i'm not the only one who trusts charlies, but still no one talked about swallow tails on steeps.
the point for me is, i have a super good deal on nitro, 250$, i love the capita but i'd like to experiment with new shapes as well. if i keep the capita what would i end doing? traveling overseas with 3 boards? and if i'm not off the weight limits for flights, would i really switch from board to board that often to justify having 3 different boards on the same trip?
sure i can live without the 150$ of selling my old deck, but i'm at a point i must say ok, i can't spend more on new gear this winter. I got super good deals cause of my job, but still i pay for stuff and i changed pretty much everything, plus safety gear, skins, poles, plane tickets for japan and ak...
anyway i'll probably stick to my capita till i try the nitro or a similar deck first hand, but i'd like to get some impression from users of this type of boards on steeps
-
Last winter i spent the whole month of February in Niseko, always forgot to publish the report, thanks to SnowJapan i won a daily ticket for Hirafu, i don't have a specific report from that day, it was my last one so it was kinda sad, didn't want to leave at all!!
I can just say the whoe trip has been epic, in fact it's been so epic i'll be back this winter
I spent most of the time in Niseko, mostly Hanazono and Annupuri off the gates. The back bowls and the ridges off gate 5 are simply insane!! But i've been lucky enough to meet some local that brought me to other peaks, Rusutsu, Chise backcountry, Kiroro BC, Yotei.
I don't have great pics, i was so concerned about slashing and spraying pow i didn't even put out my dslr, the few pics are from my point'n shoot. Same with my gopro, riding with the pole was too boring, i just got some random shot.
Here's some shot from the trip:
and here's a short vid:
Once again thank you SnowJapan for the free pass, it saved my last day, my 21 days pass was long gone so i'd probably had stayed at home packing stuff and spilling tears without it.
I'll try to get a better coverage of my Japowder adventures this winter, really can't wait to get back!!
-
Hey there, i'm in the decision of buying a new board and i'm not sure what's best for me...
Right now i have a powder specific board, Capita Charlie Slasher 158, wich suited me well the past year even in the deepest days. It's pretty much an ordinary pow board, a bit of taper, a bit of rocker on the nose.
When in Japan i've seen soooo many Gentem swallow tail boards, and i love them!! They look so fun to ride.
The point is, i could get a good deal on a Nitro Quiver Powder, wich is not a Gentem but it's similar concept. No tail, swallow (a bit), wide spoon nose. It's shorter and wider than my actual board. But if i buy it i have to sell my Capita, really no money left, i'm spending so much on trips this year, and safety gear.
So my quiver would be a Capita diy split (i bought an extra Capita for unbelievebly cheap already splitted, but it needs the bindings to be screwed in it), and the Nitro swallow tail.
All good so far, the board is supposed to be super floating and perfect for Hokkaido tree skiing, but in spring i'll hit AK and i'm afraid that's not the good weapon of choice for steeps. I remember a friend of mine having problems landing small cliffs on steeps with a Gentem Spoonfish...
So that's the question: has any of you tried some fish/swallow short 'n wide board on steeps? Are they good on that conditions? Or should i stick to my trusted Charlie Slasher?
-
haha you guys are right, but please explain to my fiancé a dog is a hella lot funnier than a baby (and less time-money consuming)
-
I totally realise, that's why i'm trying to travel as much as possible right now. I'm 38 and my girlfriend is 33, so the hour is near... Luckily for me she's opening a shop this week so she'll be pretty busy for a couple of years. But then, i'm screwed.
At least i live close to the mountains and the sea, so i expect a lot of dawn patrol when i'm done
-
-
- Popular Post
- Popular Post
I completely agree with gozaimaas, i made a lifestyle choice.
I drive a 10 years old 2nd hand car, never buy clothes (although i got free ones because of my job), don't spend money on alcohol, tobacco, parties. I'm pretty much focused on snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding. I live small, in some way. In some other way i live large, traveling 2 to 3 months in winter and 1 in summer, every year.
I always considered time a lot more important than money, and making experiences a lot more important than collecting objects.
I always dreamed about a life with plenty of spare time for traveling and riding, so i tried by any mean necessary to get a job that left me (kinda) free. Now it's 8 years i have a position in skateboarding industry (after so many years of summer seasonal works and winter season in my home resort), as a filmer, photographer and team manager, and when winter comes and things slow down because of bad weather or stops in august i simply buy a plane ticket and fly away.
And when i'm overseas i always try to find budget accomodations, special offers and stuff. You wouldn't believe the price for accomodation you can find if you search properly and are a bit flexible.
Some can say i've been lucky, but that's not the point. Anybody can have the same lifestyle, there are so many different way to be (partly) free from the slavery of 9 to 5 job. It's just a matter of trade-offs and choiches.
Sure my long term relationship girlfriend will want a baby sooner or later, and things will slow down a bit, but that's just one more reason to spend the most time possible traveling and collecting good memories.
Gozaimaas, by the way, the quote from Seth Sentry is originally from Chuck Palahniuk's novel "fight club"
inspirational book in some way, i had a quote from that novel inked in my arm-
2
-
when are you going to rishiri?
ill be there jan 26-30
Feb 8-12. I checked some vid on vimeo and the place looks sick!!
-
That's a good solution... in the meanwhile a friend from Sapporo asked me to join him in a 4 days trip to Rishiri island. Now the plan is going with him, then moving to Sapporo for a couple of days riding Teine, then probably going to Furano as you suggested. Time to book the plane ticket
-
Hi there, i'm booking my pow trip and even if i read tons of info on the forum i still have some question.
First, last year i went 30 days in Niseko, had a blast, literally, met good friends, hiked the Yotei and a couple more peaks... So i want to get back!
At the same time, i feel it's time to walk away from the paved road.
So here's the deal: i have 40 days, starting from 12th of January and i wanna spend 30 days in Niseko, while 10 somewhere else. If i stay in Niseko for 30 days i can save money on accomodation, i got a special offer from a guest house. I'm traveling solo, so i'd like to avoid renting a car, it would kill my budget (and i need money for my AK trip in late march, so i really can't invest more).
Do you think a tour in central Hokkaido is doable without a car? I was thinking about Asahidake but it looks hard to get the best out of it without a guide. Or staying in Asahikawa and moving around, but i think you need a car, and then comes the budget limit...
Any other suggestion for central Hokkaido without a car?
-
I went there just once on saturday, on one of the rare bluebird day, in early february. the back bowls in Annupuri were super busy, that's why my friends (japanese locals) chose to hit Moiwa. It was crowded for the size of the resort, lot of gaijin. It was ok till lunch tho, and you could find nice spots even later. So i'm pretty sure on weekdays it will be nice over there. Some short but steep run too.
If you know where to go you can reach Moiwa from the back bowls, and go back to Annupuri, it's a good run
-
looks damn good, i'll give it a try when i'll be there. thanks for the pics!
-
uh, last info, just keep in mind that for a complete run, from when you take the first chair till you're in line at the first chair again, off gate 5 you need 40 minutes, off the peak gate one hour. While in Annupuri you need two lifts and a 5 min hike to get off gate 2 and you reach directly the lift base at the bottom of the run... So more laps in Annupuri
-
8.20 is perfect timing for first lift, they open at 8:30, no early operation in Hanazono. A couple of runs at Strawberries, 3 runs off gate 5 going on a further ridge on each run, or off gate 2 if it's open, hitting Blueberries on the way back to the lifts, and it will be 1:00pm, you'll have crossed just a few tracks on the last run, and you'll have such a big smile on your face you could even call it a day!!
-
Mike, i'm sorry but i have to disagree. Super Course doesn't get tracked out quite quickly, it gets tracked out immediately, in 3 runs from first chair it's done. The runs that you named usually stay decent for longer time (i still can't understand why the area around Miharashi ridge keeps some good patch for so long), but untracked is another realm... they just keep some patch where you can have one or two good turns in a row.
Same with blueberries, sure it's fun to ride and i went there even after lunch when coming off the gate 5 runs, still fun to ride, but i wouldn't call it untracked.
Except for when it's very deep, and it's still fun even after some locust attack, for me if it's more than some track, it's done. I'm old, i'm probably becoming snob, but my Japanese friends were a lot worse then me, some morning they decided to go back home at second run just because there were a couple of tracks in front of them. Backcountry purist who love completely virgin snow. I'm moving toward them, that's why i'll skin a lot more times this year
-
Plenty of untracked in Niseko United post lunch if you know where to go.
I spent just one month in Niseko, which is pretty much nothing compare to the time you spent there over the years, but i had the luck to ride very often with some local, and with local i mean japanese people who moved in Niseko twenty years ago. At times we found freshies even at 4pm, but "plenty" is a completely different kingdom. Secret stashes mean nothing for an ordinary skier who spend 8 days in Annupuri.
Powder Etiquette
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Only partly true. Sure the surfing rules exist for safety, but the "no snaking" rule, wich applies for skateboarding in bowls and ramps as well, is not for safety, it's just for the purpose of respect and sharing. Unfortunately in surfing douchebags snake just because they surf better than some other. This is unrespectful, to say the least. Same goes for dropping on another's track. It's definitely unrespectful. It's snaking. It's like farting all the time on a 10hours flight. No one can stop you, but if you do that, you're a douchebag.
Btw surfing rules are not there cause someone has decided it's his wave. Being dropped on a wave is no fun at all, as in skateboarding on ramps and bowls, and in pow riding.
Unfortunately you're right when you say that when you are at a resort you gotta be prepared for this, but it's not sharing at all. If i see some people sidesliding a pow chute i'm disappointed, but being a beginner is not a crime and i'd never say anything about it. But f a see an arrogant act, i call it with its name. Nothing will change, but it's not good reason to say it's ok