CmWebb

I'd like to try some other peaks as so far it's the only one I've done. I've gone up it about four times this year so I am definatley in need of variety if anyone knows of some other good ones. As for Norikura, its past Matsumoto next to kamikochi. There are two ways of getting there as far as I know. Either from the Kiso valley and follow the signs to Kamikochi until you see the turn of for Norikura or from Mtsumoto and follow the signs from Kamikochi again. Chris

Norikura offers a fairly good middle ground. You just take the lift as far up as you can. and then start hiking. It's about 2.5-3 hours to the top. If you get the resort map they actually have the trail marked on it. It shows up as a little squigly line going up through the tree line. Chris.

Nope, not yet.

Hi, I am doing a bike trip in SE Asia this summer and was hoping to go to a travel clinic before to get all my shots and perhaps some anti-malaria pills before I go. Does anyone happen to know of any. The closest large cities I am to is Nagoya or Tokyo. I have already gone to the local hospital for my hep A-B shots but they don't seem to know much about the rest. Thanks ahead for any advice. Chris

Dude, what do you need to know. You got the tent and the bag and you're in Japan which when it comes right down to it never gets really cold. I've camped under the stars at minus 30 with just a good bag and a pile of straw. (The straw was provided be the organisers of a two day x-c ski marathon that I was doing.) Just go for it. Chris

Thats Norikura, sorry about that

About three weeks ago I saw a pair of tele ski's (second hand) for sale in the tourist info centre in Noriku. Just before you get to the Ski areas. They were going for 10 000 yen all mounted up with bindings so they are probably gone but one never knows. Chris

For an emeragency quick repair while you're waiting to get the good stuff you can always try nail polish. It's pretty too.

So, are there any tele skiers out there? Especially anyone in the Beginner/intermediate range as that is where I am at and would love to meet people of a similar level. So far this year I'Ve been to a few local areas and hve climbed up Norikura twice. It was amazing though I did a few face plants on the way down. Chris

Typo, it's supposed to be "Hey Snowmonster" or "Hi s..."

He Snowmonster, Well a budget is somthing which I really have to start thinking about more. But basically I am putting aside about 450 0000 yen for the trip. The biggest expense will be the plan tickets. For me that means a one way to India or Nepal and then a one way to Ottawa, Canada. I have flown from China and Japan to Canada before for about 70 000 yen (one way ticket)So I am hoping to get both tickets for about 160 000 yen. Of course I am hoping for cheaper. My next biggest expense will be stuff for my bike:saddle bags, racks, spare parts etc, a few up grades etc. I am going to shop

Hi, well this isn't really a topic but...I am planning on doing a bike trip starting next may from Calcutta up to Katmandu and then spend the rest of the time touring in Nepal and in Northern India for about four months total. If anyone is interested in doing the trip with me, part or all just drop me a line. Chris. P.S. I am a fairly strong rider but I am definately into taking my time. Currently I am living in Nagano.

Basically it bounced.

Basically it bounced.

Sorry one more post. I forgot about my most glamorous moment in the cold. The Canadain ski marathon. It is a two day race and you have to caryy all of your stuff on your back. It was -27 at night sleeping under the stars in just a sleeping bag. Frozen boots in the morning. After a day of eating mostly hot soup and granola my intestines weren`t doing so well. I had a major accident in the outhouse. Let me tell you when it is in the -20s shit freezes instantly. For eight hours I had to ski with it frozen all ofver my gloves. Thank god I was able to wipe it off my back. Chris

Where: Labradour City Canada (Spelling may be off) Temp: -35 with wind chill -80 I am dead serious. I was there for the Nationals. (Cross country) You are not allowed to race when it is colder than -20 because of possible lung damage so we were a bit worried. After a few days it warmed up to -19. What a relief. chris.

In Canada we have to study French. Though I never picked up much of it I have quite a few friends who are Bilingual. I even have a few friends who speak three or four langauges though usually they are imigrants. Chris.

Call me a panzy but I really love the hanami season. Sure its just an excuse to get drunk but what's wrong with that. Especially coming from Canada where it is forbiden to drink in most public places (I'm not talking about bars)it is very refreshing. There is something about walking through a park filled with different generations getting wasted together. And it is always a lot of fun when you get invited to sit with them. In fact it is probably one of the only times when it is easy to get to know lots of different people. So what if they don't remember you the next day. They don't remember th

The rules are really quite simple. First off it seems to be a male domain. If you are in your twenties you can only wee in public if you are drunk and it is after 9:00. Not if you are in your thirties you still have to be drunk but you can start pissing as early as 6:00. Now if you are in your forties it is best to be drunk but anytime of day is okay. Any older than that and you don't have to be drunk and the middle of the day facing traffic is okay.

For me it has to be ney. Oshii ney, Autsuii ney, Kawaii ney, kowaii ney, so desu ney, so da ney, omshiroii ney, musukashii ney, taihen ney, ney ney ney. I once heard a conversation between four women during hanami season. It went something like this. W1 Kirei ney w2 so desu ney w3 ney w4 ney w1 so ney w2 ney w3 sore wa oshii ney. w4 so desu ney w2 so ney w124 ney

If you are flying straight home you can bring it on the plane. If it is over the checked in allowance they will charge you about 12 000 yen I believe but that it is still cheaper than most shipping companies. Of course don't take my word for it as I would hate you to have a shock at the airport. Chris.

Hey Kamoshika, I do a lot of riding in spring, summer and fall. If you live in the Suwa area (near Matsumoto) or are comming in drop me a line. That said if you know of some really cool trails where you are I'd love to see them. Chris.

It depends what you mean by ski boots. hee hee. Salomon makes snow shoes that a cross-country ski boot will click into. A lot of my friends just use a soft snow board boot when they go snow shoeing. Chris

I'll admit I am a bit of a sucker and end up getting pulled into most of the meeting even though I don't understand anything. As far as an average day goes I finish at 5:00 though I have heard many AETs finish earlier than that. Chris

Wow! 140000 yen seems like a lot. The shaken on the car shouldn't run you more than 100 000 yen unless there are some repairs that have to be done. If you haven't already settled on a car it is best to find one withe the skaken already on it, even if you have to pay a bit more. I bought my car for 150 0000 yen and it had shaken on it for a year and half (Almost over now). If you look for a car with some scratches on it or maybe a dent in the door you can usually get it pretty cheap. Usually when people shaken there car it is for two years. Another thing to consider is the yearly tax. I fo