stumpalama

Oh snapper, always quick on that reply button arncha? BTW hows the riding?

So how's the knee holding up Plucky? Are you still a boarder or have you reverted to the skis? I'm looking to do some backcountry/alpine camping and riding off Hakuba/Happo this spring, somewhere (around the 2nd week in March) as well. Give me a holler if your heading that way.

.stoke, Fattwins- My appologies for not getting back to you all this week. I was yo-yoing between work and Hakuba this week with no time to plan anything except getting to the mountain and getting some runs in. Now that I've got a couple days undermy belt and things should slow down a bit. I'm still working on going up after New Years...

How does one "Do it wrong?" From a grainy (albeit sweet) snapshot? Looks to me like he had it right on... Laying fat lines in fresh powder with a picture to document it... Where are our pictures from the same time? It would have to come from your camera on your computer cause we definately weren't out there. I was up 24th an 25th, they could use another 2-3 dumps, it was pretty warm those two days, with a lot of resultant "sluffing". Plus the trees are too tight with the small undergrowth still whipping you in the face. Still good to get out. I will be back up tomorrow and Sunday.

I will be in Hakuba the 24th and 25th and again (possibly) on the 27th and 28th.

Looks like it's off to Autobacs for some chains... wahoo, more GEAR!

Now now, it's just gentle twisting pressure one the individual has clearly exceeded his welcome in the bar but protests being invited to vacate the establishment and thus slays his arms across the doorway. Abit if twisting pressure to the chin and its amazing how the shoulders just turn and the arms release the door jambs. Work smarter, not harder! Although, I'm not averse to Ocean 11's suggestion, that is of course as long as it helps Mr Matthews land that elusive 360. Heh, heh, heh.

OK, I still botch a fair amount of 360's, but now it has turned into an issue of over rotating. First and foremost, you MUST commit to the trick. I know, it sounds like the standard pop psychology, but it is the truth. Come in confident that you will rotate, that tends to be the hardest part for people, is the spin, and getting their head around. Where your head goes, your shoulders and body WILL follow. As a former Bouncer (Bar doorman) I know that one for a fact. I much prefer to pull them of natural lips with nice powder landings (especially starting out, the awkward landings don't hurt a

Dims & endzero- Just dropped you guys a line on my Dec/Jan schedule. Hopin' we can hook it up.

Oh yeah, I ride. I can hold my own, and prefer to go where the masses fear... Off Piste. Nice soft landings from the drops. (check out the pic on my member page).

Just got done reading the posts that preceeded mine... I don't know how I missed them the 1st time. whoo that was a good laugh. Wow, that was a good laugh. -Dims and Stoke: I'll be be heading up the weekend of the 27th, but not until Saturday around 9am, but I'm also heading on weekends after new years. drop me a line. I'd be happy to have the company.

BTW, I'll also share with those who may need a ride from Yokohama/Tokyo area if you can ID a good Eki where I can meet you. (I might even be willing to brave friday afternoon traffic for cost cutting ) Drop me a line at stumpalama@earthlink.net. Peace-

I drive (almost) every weekend from Yokohama to Hakuba. Often I pack the car when I get home from work Fridays and hit the sack around 6-7pm and wake around 3am and hit the road no later than 4 to avoid the Yokohama-shi and Hachioji bypass traffic (perfect so far). It's about 4-4.5 hours and 4500 yen door to door each way. I prefer the car because #1: I'm American and driving is what we do...EVERYWHERE!; #2: I can load up the subaru with whatever gear I need, and more. I used to skibum it in the States and sleep in my FJ60 (God I miss that!); #3: I hate lugging gear in and out of stations,

The "lee side" is the side away from the direction of the wind... It is where the snow that gets blown off the windward faces gets deposited on the leeward faces. This loads (overloads)the leeward faces with more snow before the natural snowfall has time to settle, and thus can cause unstable snow conditions and a higher risk of avalanches.

AAAAAAWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This weekend is my one year anniversary of my 1st time up in Hakuba. I have to work and its DUMPING!!! Figures

OK, here's how I figure it... I believe in layering for your hands, just like your body: A wicking layer of polypro liners, an insulating layer (this is where you can adjust for different temps) 100/200 or 300 weight fleece, then a goretex shell gloves or mittens depending on the temperature. Mittens and gloves with built in liners are too hard to regulate temperatures and they take too long to dry. The best shells I've see are from Outdoor Research and Black Diamond. I always wear glove liners under mittens, that takes care of the dexterity issue. just whip off the mitt real quick, adju

Hey Crazy Ski- Youn's from western PA? Maybe Jersey... That is definately the industrial gear for skiing. It's fun hearing your pants crack when you get off the lift after they've frozen solid on the way up. I always liked the full woodland camo or orange camo full zip one-piece hunting suits.

Just added Salomon Malamute boots and Flow PRO-S FR bindings.

Hmmm... Anything made from polypropalene(sp?), ie Patagonia/mountain hardwear/chillis long underwear bottoms - light to mid weight, wicking t-shirt or zip-turtleneck (good for venting), a zip fleece shirt (insulation), fleece vest or jacket depending on temps. Definately go with the synthetics, cotton is a killer. Oh and wicking (read polypro again) sock and glove liners. I can't say enough about the glove liners, no mater how sweaty your gloves/mittens get, your hands stay dry and thus warmer. they like 500 yen at any ski store.

Theres a picture of mine on my member page: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/insider/Member_personalpage.php?con=e07e6575e85ed6f56caf8ff2418cc55b

I have a split board, a Voile 166, burton makes a very nice one as well, apparently. I got a good deal on this witth bindings, (soft boot), crampons and climbing skins. I just got the hard boot bindings for it so I can log some snowboard mountaineering with my Scarpa AT boots. I haven't used the board yet, but it's the best of both worlds... skinning up and one true edge down the mountain. It's not that much heavier than a regular board with bindings. All the reviews I read give it a thumbs up ad they have been in business for a long time. Plus the Burton is Hella expensive! US $850!! OUCH

Sorry, that's www.backcountrystore.com.

NP, Just here to help...

Red is a branch company of Burton. They sell avy gear helmets tools etc... The helmets have gotten decent reviews, though I have never personally used a Red helmet. The prices quoted are close to retail: www.backcountry.com (all prices US$) Red Remix 129.90 Red SkyCap 69.00 Red Hi-Fi 99.90

BTW, on is apparently short hand for ONE... IBID