SerreChe

Hi Mike, do you have pics of Kurodake? You have peaked my interest with your comparison to La Grave. Obviously I would not expect to see glaciers, but 1300m of vert with challenging terrain is interesting for Japan and may see me going that way at one stage or another. Are there tight trees all the way from the top, or is there a decent alpine section? Meanwhile, I will do my homework with topos.

Not a bad place to be ski-wise. I assume u'll be all over hakkoda.

ahahaha, I knew it. He kept on whaling about his broken leg too! I would like to propose a challenge between Evergreen staff and students for the ARAC when we take it. I have a few devilish ideas... eheh. Then we will also be able to see those guys sweat it out while we watch as well ! The losers buy beer at the end of the day. To be fair to Dave though, he broke trail the whole day. By the end of the day everybody was tired. We were all huffing and puffing when we hiked that last slope up from the 1st simulation. I thought we were done when we reached the ridge. Little did I k

Sorry, I do not have a picture. If go back and see it, I'll try to remember and take a pic for you.

Hey Wade, nice to see you online. Yes, that slope search was a killer. I think the rest of the group was smiling seeing us go through the pains and thinking they were glad they were part of the previous simulation. It was a very good learning experience though.

It's true. It's Warburg Pincus Japan. They have other plans than just buying 47.

Quite a compliment for Hakuba. Avi control will take time to become standard practice in Japan.

Thanks FT. Line probing was not too bad actually. The killer was the simulation in an actual steepish gully. It took the wind out of me hiking up and down the slope following the flux lines. Was dead after that. It was a good course, highly recommended to all who have not taken it and go OOB. Was jealous the whole day looking at those tracks on the north face of Happo though...

I saw a very very old groomer that looked like it was from WW2 in Goryu the other day.

Sweet pics. How does it compare to europe for you contender? I like the superman crosses creek pic.

For those who missed it (was quite a bit away from where we were and had to zoom in) this is the slide off Kaerazu on E facing slope. The following day I saw a lot of instability on similarily oriented slopes. On monday had planned to drop into a E facing slope off Goryu and we had to turn back because of a snowpack that involved multiple nasty crusts as well as facets/goblets, not to mention that the weather caught up with us as well. The Tsugaike area was very stable the day before. A reminder that things can vary dramatically depending on the mountain & orienta

Thanks for linking/commenting these Oke, been a bit rush last night. Kuma, I think his is grey :-) Sorry, had the tail most of the time, so most of my pics are from the rear, although it did not apply for the simulation I guess. I like Kamoshikas... Saw 2 on the way up the gondie, missed the pic. Saw 1 from the ridge before we dropped in. It was a bit far from where we were: This one looks really chubby and enjoying the sun. Looking towards us. Thanks for cutting the slope buddy:

I am the french guy with the big powder board (arnaud). I just posted a link with pics on the other thread Oke created.

Ok, I uploaded a bunch of pics here: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/photo_section.php?userid=SerreChe&userGallery=196 Feel free to link any into this thread and comment them. Things you'll be able to see: Kamoshika, lazy tracks off the north side of Happo, our hike near Hyodorimine, Norikuradake, Korengesan, + other peaks, People digging pits, people searching & digging during their avalanche simulation, massive east-facing slide off karamatsudake, etc... Enjoy.

Actually not so lucky... Yellow sands from the Gobi + high temps = like riding cement before it sets... Thick & heavy & unpleasant molasse.

Yes, I finally did! After 20+ years of hitting the stashes, it was about time. The instructor did say it was the European way of doing things: Emphasize experience, then if you are still alive after many years, take a course to see what you have been doing wrong. ;-)

Just got back from Haks. I took quite a few shots. I'll try to post them tonight. Was good to meet Oke, King, + the others whose handles I cannot remember (Gomen).

For once they have a decent season and they go on strike... Their livelyhood is difficult given its seasonality, but it is the same in many other countries. The timing is not great, especially given that it is the height of the school holidays when most of the revenues for the season are generated. I think they are really shooting themselves in the foot.

thanks for re-posting it.

Nice write-up. I had never heard of that maker before. Will check it out. Pretty pricey ! Any pic of the top sheet?

oooops, that's true, did not realize that until you pointed it out SJForums. I used that link on sunday and it was there. Maybe Telematt edited it, although there is no little script at the bottom of the post saying it has been edited.

Thanks for the link Telematt. Quite an extensive course. I remember going through it once a while ago. I will actually take my RAC this w/e as well (hopefully). Sanno, How can you live so far away from the snow and survive? Marinelli has a nice scenery and some sick vert. I assume you are going to do the heli drop? I have always wanted to explore the Monte Rosa region actually which I believe is not too far.

what was the NZ ad one? "hey now, hey now" with an arian stud riding a white horse on the beach with a beautiful babe to go along? Then they are camping in some mountain and the lady is wearing a very tight fluorescent green bikini... LOL Where is the cheeseman when we need him?

Very important and exciting research. Could not help but smile at the nationality of the scientists.

Nice pictures, thank you for sharing.