[Hakkoda is the best mountain in Japan]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Fattwins:
....I hope to one day judge it for myself.

Probably the key for a lot of life decisions. FT - you'll dig it. Spend the 3000 yen and hire a guide the first time or go with someone who knows. You will be impressed

I'm so going against the surfer code exposing this. Ahhhhh, fug it

[Hakkoda is the best mountain in Japan]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Toque:
It's all about the North Alps

But I'm sure it's good up there

Toque, if we had infinite wisdom and could do as we pleased in life, I'd be the first to sign up for your ski adventures

You rule bro! I love skiing soooo much

[Christmas lights]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Kintaro:
The Grizwald's live not far from me. They click on the lights the day after halloween. It's insane! I've got a few festive lights on the balcony but to light up the whole neigborhood with blinking lights is going overboard.

You may have to be American to undertand this. Classic!

[Thanksgiving]

Two years ago: A couple friends and I took a trip to Tokyo. Had a pretty good time! What a city. Nice place to visit...........

 

This year: I shot a grouse and am cooking it now. Beats the hell out of Turkey!

 

Life changes fast. I love this shot. From the trip 2 years ago.

 

[Hakkoda is the best mountain in Japan]

 

 

Hakkodas from Misawa Air Base.

 

 

[Hakkoda is the best mountain in Japan]

 Quote:

Originally posted by gamera:
RockyV I think maybe more if you drove along Japan sea side because toll road at Japan sea side is still discontinuous.

true. Misawa to Sendai taking seaside highways - 10 hours. Sendai to Misawa on the expressways (toll roads) - 3 hours.

I'm not sure how long it would take from Nagano. Via expressway, which goes straight in to Aomori, I can't imagine it would be that bad. Maybe 6 or 7 hours? In Alaska, that's a trip to the grocery store

I was, of course, pushing buttons starting this topic. I can't qualify my statement because I haven't skied everywhere in Japan. Hakkoda is damn good if you know where to go, however, and I love and miss it

[eni1 gone skiing yet?]

I skied today. Took my snowmobile out to the pipeline and skied a hill near it. We only have about 20cm to 25cm of snow, but it's enough with the temps here. We got a good base in Ocotber. The snowfall since has been lacking bigtime, however. About 15cm fell today though. Enough to cover the minor obstacles. I've got some P-texing to do........

 

 

If you don't understand why, you shouldn't be in the debate It's been really bad up here the last 5 years from what I've heard. This is word from Simpleton Alaskan rednecks who know more about Jerry Springer than they do politics........

[Hakkoda is the best mountain in Japan]

I'm not worried about stating this since nobody believes it or will visit it.

 

Aomori is a really cool city

 

Even though I'm in Alaska, I think about my times skiing in Japan a lot. Hakkoda and off-piste Hachimanti was really, really good on an international scale. A few days at Hakkoda were all-time and I've skied a lot of places. I'm so glad I had the opportunity!

 

I have pics and vid for proof

[Canada]

I've only been to Whistler in Canada - just want to qualify my statement(s).

 

GO!

 

What level of skier are you? Whistler, if you know where to look, is incredible. There is no way you can complain about the skiing/boarding or terrain there. Between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, you have almost every type of terrain in existence covered. Check out the backside off of the Peak Chair on Whistler and let me know if you believe in God or not Some of the terrain off of the top of Blackcomb is pretty itself!

 

I can understand not going to Whistler if you're looking for something quiet. From friend's experiences elsewhere in BC, I hear the skiing/boarding is fantastic. I look forward to sampling it myself. BC is the new Colorado.

 

Being an American, going to Whistler Village reminds me a bit of my time in Europe. Pedestrian Villages, fancy eateries, expensive shops, etc.... It's quite quaint but actually affordable for most of us.

 

Oh, and tons of eye candy and really cheap and good weed 1/2 an 1/8th for 10 canadian???? Stoked!

 

Although my visit to the hospital did cost 450 Canadian Nice looking nurse though! And she tellied!

[A few questions for the Kiwis on here]

 Quote:

Originally posted by soubriquet:
Clearly not. I read your first post as a general question about New Zealand and Christchurch, and I tried to give you an outsiders perspective.

I read this:
" I had to go buy a new 9mm hand gun today just so I can sleep in peace (my other guns were stolen of course - it is Alaska). Stupid - yes, but I feel it's a necessity right now. This is NOT how I want to live, however, and this is one reason I'm looking for a change."
as meaning that you don't feel safe in your home without a gun. I was trying to point out that though you can never get away totally from crime, in much of the OECD it doesn't involve guns.

Sorry.

Damn, sorry Soubriquet. I quoted the wrong post out of haste. First time I've been back to check in a couple of days.

Thanks for the words. I apologize for my ignorant mistake.......

[A few questions for the Kiwis on here]

 Quote:

Originally posted by soubriquet:
Sorry about this Plucky, it must feel horrible.

I liked Christchurch (as a visitor). It is clean and neat and well laid out. It's a bit of a hike south or west to get to the mountains, but South Island is the place to be for big empty spaces. Kiwis are very keen on- and protective of their land, and there's lots of places to go.

Make of the crime stats what you will, but living in the UK, Australia and now Japan, I've never felt the need to carry a gun.

eh? I don't think you quite understand......

[A few questions for the Kiwis on here]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Kintaro:
Hey Plucky,

Sorry to hear about that brah! I've been robbed on the Big Island and in China Town, Oahu (they even took all of my shoes once}. The feeling of being violated is very annoying, to say the least. If you do head off to NZ let me know... I wanted to visit AK but NZ is another place I've been wanting to visit. Best of luck to you!

Hey L~

It's not about getting robbed. I got speakers stolen out the back of my jeep 3 times at Sugar!

I've been robbed before. Just not in a place that was so supposedly safe. Some things happen that just change your perception on things. It's been bad up here bra. Iniki bad.

It's not my friends that scare me, it's the guys I never see. You know what I mean. HI bad that way.

[A few questions for the Kiwis on here]

This last incident was the last straw. It is not the ultimate reason. I obviously like to travel and explore new places. In doing so, I've discovered that there are other ways to live. I like this fact.

 

I feel I've gotten the proverbial kick in the ass, so to speak. No reason not to check it out. Who on this Earth says I have to commit myself to one country? Okay, don't answer that. I'll find out on my own.

[First snow !]

 Quote:

Originally posted by SnowJapan.Com#1:
Plucky - none of us are any of the high-post users on here, really don't have the time or extra energy for that! (In fact, very few posts, actually I think double figures is the most).

Aargh....just kiddin' mate...

(I missed talk like a pirate day on here, so thought I'd make it up now )

[First snow !]

 Quote:

Originally posted by SnowJapan.Com#2:
Toque, we all do have other handles (some more active than others!))

Great, I thought Ocean and I were getting in to bitch fights when in reality, I've been talking smack to the administrator!

montoya - no japan for me this year. I'd love to ski the Hakkodas again though. It may take a few years to get back, but I will.

[A few questions for the Kiwis on here]

 Quote:

I just hope the fly-in's don't bring their problems with them. Like Oz, NZers are happy to accept trained/educated immigrants, as long as they conform to 'our' lifestyle.

It sounds like you're describing Californians invading my home state of Oregon

I agree with you though. I'd like to choose a place to live with people who hold decency as a respectable value. What's so wrong with that?

I'd make Japan my home if it weren't for the racists and the Americans stealing stuff from me. I've tried it - remember I could go back to Misawa right now if I wanted to. I may. I like Japan a lot - I really do. I just want to do something different and live somewhere I can actually speak the language The jobs in Germany just haven't materialized (really, I've looked in to it - I speak decent German).

Thanks for the replies and I really hope to hear some more.

sava - let me check some more stuff out and I just may indeed be PM'ing you. thanks for the offer man.

[Heliboard in Russia]

BPC - I have an email address for a guy at Warren Miller Films that has done a lot of skiing in Russia. I have no idea where he is now (on assignment probably), but he may be able to give you some tips. Just let me know and I can PM you the email addy. He at least will be able to point you in the right direction.

 

I've always dreamed of skiing in Kamkatcha. Google it - it looks unbelievable!

 

For the money, northern BC and Valdez, AK are hard to beat. That is a helluva long flight for you though! After flying over the Hubbard Icefield and Mount Logan in Canada, my mind was racing with possibilities. So remote, so untouched...and so unaccesible. I hope it stays that way

[First snow !]

We got our first snow in the valleys of Alaska last week. It's been COLD recently. I only live at 300 meters elevation, but we've had probably 24 centimeters the past 3 days. It's all melted, however. The mountains are doing good though. Damn good in fact. Meters of snow have fallen over 1000 meters el. recently.

 

I miss checking the Japan snow forecast maps on this site. It was always a roll of the dice early in the season, but when I saw that first splotch of green in the Hakkodas and on Hokkaido, I'd get soooo excited

 

Here's wishing you all a great snow season!

[A few questions for the Kiwis on here]

Hey guys and gals,

 

I'm seriously considering a move to the great land of New Zealand very soon and was wondering if I could get some first hand opinions on the place. I've already started my 'Expression of Interest' form and have taken the pre-qualification quiz (and more than passed). There is always information that you can find online, but I'd like to hear it from the people that call NZ home.

 

I'm looking at the Christchurch and Dunedin areas right now. I actually have some job leads that may pan out in these places.

 

1) How much American materialism has invaded NZ? For example, is reality TV, the Atkins diet craze and other crap like that pervasive in NZ?

 

I only ask the above because I really want to get away from this shit if possible. I just spent a week in the midwest of the US and couldn't believe how bad things had gotten in the last 5 years.

 

2) Is there a 'victims' culture in NZ like in the US or are people more likely to be responsible for their own actions?

 

3) How is the quality of living? Do people enjoy what they have or are they always wishing for more?

 

4) Crime - this is a biggy for me. Are people respectful of others? Is crime prevalent and what are the general citizens views on crime and punishment?

 

I'll stop there for now. I know these questions sound obscure, but I'm asking them for a certain reason. Actually, just ANYTHING you could tell me about living and working in NZ would be greatly appreciated.

 

Just to let you know a little about where I'm coming from - After coming back from my business trip, I found that my place had been broken in to, everything of value stolen and my place was trashed. This just happened two days ago. I 'thought' I lived in one of the safer places in the US. Hell, I thought I had found my Shangri La. Apparently not. I could never leave my place in the future and not be worried about this happening again.

 

The grass isn't always greener, but dammit, I'd like to find out. I'm fed up with my birth country and I have the power to change this. I had to go buy a new 9mm hand gun today just so I can sleep in peace (my other guns were stolen of course - it is Alaska). Stupid - yes, but I feel it's a necessity right now. This is NOT how I want to live, however, and this is one reason I'm looking for a change.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I really appreciate any responses.

 

PS - spent some time with some blokes from Liverpool last week. Great guys! I had a lot of fun talking about travelling and other topics with them. Unfortunately, they claim the UK is just as bad as the US in many regards. I hope the same doesn't hold true for NZ.

[New Orleans]

After invading a perfectly legit and decent topic on the snow forum, I'm done with you. Have a nice life hiding out from the world's problems in Japan! You are the epitome of an armchair quarterback.

 

You will never truly understand America just like you will never truly understand all of the complexities of the Japanese. To think otherwise would be utterly arrogant.

[More Pictures from Alaska]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Fattwins:
shark sand shark?

It's actually a 7' salmon shark. The guy who caught it put a silver salmon in its mouth for the heck of it.

[New Orleans]

I threw that 'Great' in just for you, dear. I knew you would pick up on it. Your hate is becoming predictable. I also love the way you put no separation between the American people and America's messed up politicians. You claim we have to take responsibility for whom we elect. Well, 50% of us didn't vote for monkey boy and don't appreciate what he's done to our country. Most of us have no idea why anyone would even consider supporting Bush any more. It's baffling. But, according to you, I do support Bush as do all Americans simply because I don't denounce my entire country. Well, there is a hell of a lot more to life than politics and a hell of a lot more to America than its current leaders. This is what you have no clue about and never will.

 

The two typhoons don't compare and you know that is a weak argument. Completely different situations. While I may not be offering my condolences publicly, I feel bad for anyone caught in any situation like this.

 

At least I didn't go on to a public forum and belittle the dead and suffering like you have done with the New Orleans tragedy.

 

Kill your TV

 

PS - I can't believe I'm arguing with a British citizen over my distaste for Bush. What do I have to do/say to make it clear that I do not support this guy? Why is it so hard to believe that you can still love your country even if things are in a bit of turmoil at the moment? This is like arguing with American citizens about the war and the troops. Republicans just can't grasp that you can be against the war in Iraq but still support the troops. I'm so sick of closed-mindedness in this world.

[More Pictures from Alaska]

We saw a pod of Orchas off in the distance from our charter boat. Very, very cool to watch these in the wild!

 

Guess what kind of shark this is.

 

We limited out in 3 hours this time (6 salmon each). The obligatory trophy photo.

[More Pictures from Alaska]

KlingKlang - I've got two acres, so yep, plenty of room!

 

I'm Sexy - Tons of winter sports to do up here. Snowmobiling is probably the most popular where I'm at, but there are 5 ski areas within 60 miles of me. Thing is, you can't really ski until Feb or so due to the lack of light and extremely cold temperatures! But, our season does last until late May/early June and year-long if you're willing to hike (it's worth it).

 

I went back down to Valdez with some guys this past weekend to do one last fishing trip. It went very well and I had a blast once again. Here are a few pictures from that trip:

 

Same glacier as above, just a clearer picture.

 

This is Mt Sanford in Wrangell National Park. FINALLY the weather was clear enough so we could see some of the giant peaks contained in this huge mass of mountains. Mt Sanford is over 16,000 feet!

 

I 'think' this is Rainbow Mountain in the Alaska Range. Looks good whatever it is.

[New Orleans]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Ocean11:
Plucky! Kintaro! It appears they now have an INSURGENCY in your country! From the uber-'liberal' Army Times.

I'm glad you are finding so much joy in the suffering of others. I can't believe anybody even puts up with the sh*t and bile you spew on here anymore.

FACT - Neither George Bush nor his policies caused this hurricane to be any worse than it would have been. 5 years in office is not nearly enough time to mess up the global climate.

FACT - Georgie boy is not the only one to be held accountable for the levy breaches in New Orleans. Mismangeament stretches back well over 20 years.

FACT - The federal response time for this crisis, headed up by 'The Shrub' was pathetic. Rolling FEMA in to The DHS was one of the worst moves ever.

FACT - Tragedies bring out the worst and best in people. It happens everywhere, not just the US. The media in the US DOES lean left and is not that supportive of the current administration, hence the focus on mostly the bad (I'm not sure about TV since I haven't watched TV in over 5 years).

FACT - Ocean11 is a blatant opportunist using this situation to further his America and Americans Suck platform. Instead of offering any condolences, he's simply sat in his safe haven in BFE Japan and fired off pot-shots and attacks at any chance possible. He shows no human sympathy, offers no form of help, and offers up nothing but rancid verbal spew while stroking himself to images of the destruction.

FACT - Ocean doesn't know jack sh*t about the United States of America. He's lived in countries smaller than individual states in the great US and has no idea about differences between people in the country or the diversity that is on display. Things work differently here. America is not a 90% + homogeneous society like Japan or England or most countries in Europe.

FACT - George Bush and his administration will go down as the worst ever in US history.