panhead_pete
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Posts posted by panhead_pete
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Hey Seemore. Been doing my own thing mate, just lots of work in the NT on long rosters etc, burying friends, girlfriends coming and going and generally just living life. Nothing too exciting although a couple surf trips to PNG, Indo etc and some epic adventure style riding across Australia. Got back into hot rods and Harleys again which has been great and bringing one of my chops over to ride in spring. Booking into both AST1 and AST2 this season if that's what you meant mate and may finish off the second Master degree but really need some time off. Will pass on your regards to the guys, everyone is well and yeah TJ is doing really well. Looking forward to settling in and having an awesome season. Looking at buying a bar too but that's a whole other story
Here's a couple pics for those that may be interested
ADV Bike. Tiger 800XC
32 Roadster - LS2, Tremac etc etc
58 Chop coming to Japan with me
And a nice sunset as everyone loves them although this I from the patio of my place in WA which should be sold the day I land in Japan
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Thanks Tubby - will be based somewhere in Hakuba valley. It like second home in a way, maybe a more permanent one soon.
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Got my stoke going today. Finish work on Thursday and just bought my airline tickets and sorting out a house and a car for the season so heaps of day trips coming up. Got a new to me Prior splittie all set up and waiting. Going over early (Nov 27) to build some fitness and learn how to use skins etc and also do my avie training (AST1 and AST2).
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Where are you off to this season Pete?
Will be doing a lot of riding across Honshu this season - moving over in November for the season, maybe longer .
Pete hasn't been on here in a LOOOOOOOOONG time
Hope all is well TB and SnowJunky.
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So refreshing to read how prepared you are going to be and that you know that you still have much to learn. Makes it very obvious you aren't like so many of the young Aussies who having ridden out a gate or 2 at Niseko and done a season at threadbo think they are Jeremy Jones when really they have no gear and no idea. Will be great to follow along with your trip next season.
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I use HopShopGo
Thanks Tubby, just bought a jacket of Backcountry and those guys will be receiving and shipping it.
These guys were REALLY expenisve - maybe use someone else.
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Do you all have beacons, shovels,probes and packs for BC? Do any of you have formal avie training?
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When I was looking at land in Hakuba a couple years back I found a cracking block. Asked the agent the price, was told what it was and that was firm and I agreed to pay it. Then right at the end of the process when the contracts were about to be signed out of the blue the price increased by 25% if I recall correctly so I told them to jamn it. It appears there's lots of different practices that can happen in Japan but not in Australia like agents buying places and flipping them with a fat margain without any disclosure etc. None of the agents I've dealt with and am currently dealing with seem too keen to seal a deal. Almost unnerving
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Gee fellas - scary stuff. So VERY happy you are both alive and well.
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I love Hakuba but 2 weeks there is a LONG time if you arent fully into riding every day. You can do day trips but that excludes experiencing the other places at night which is often when they are at their prettiest and you lose a LOT of time in travel tripping daily. Perhaps consider the following If you are going for 14 days and you are worried about your body holding up. I'd be going to Hakuba for 4-5 days incl a bus trip to see the Monkeys etc then send ski equip by Black Cat to Nozawa and and the head down to Tokyo for a couple days, you could even consider going to Kyoto and Hiroshima (4 days total) following which head to Nozawa for the last 4 days. You could ditch the Kyoto/Hiroshima leg though and save it for next time and spend an extra day in Tokyo and Nozawa. Just a thought.
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And if you snap your bindings up in that area and ask really nicely for help the Prince Hotels will drop you back to your digs for free.
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The Ropeway that they got rid of was one of the big box kind. Never rode it myself, perhaps it was surplus to requirements. Taking out a big chunky ropeway can't be a good 'image' thing though.
Thanks - Bond reference was to the 007 movie with the ropeway - the Shiga one reminded me of it. The egg gondy was great compared to that single chair there where you have to carry your board in your lap
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Saw one the other day when house hunting. Looked good and no flume which is a bonus. Was told it was really effective.
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I just want to know how good Ippy and everyone else got it today. If im stuck at work I'd sure like to know someone was getting good turns.
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Did the James Bond Special Ropeway at Shiga close?
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Ippy you headed to Nozawa? Pics from this morning there look great.
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Im stunned those guys dont run bus each day from Myoko. Its a much better option by the looks of it than Seki Onsen.
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Great TR Adam.Thanks for taking the time to pull it together.
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Thanks for the update, stoked you had a good time. Sounds like its time to buy a beacon, probe, shovel, pack, do a 2 day avie course before heading out witn experienced crew. Wanting to step it up this year I just went through that but will do the course as my 1st two days next year as couldnt coordinate it this time around. What I've found is most groups wont ride with you unless you have the basic stuff anyway as you cant help them in a rescue situation. I feel the same now actaully but please note that Im hyper cautious. LOTS of avies this year (probably most years) and got to watch one of the Swedes I was hanging with get buried via GoPro footage. Have fun and be safe
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ManfredK going the 1st time can be quite intimidating, I know it was for me and I've been to a country or two but please dont be put off thinking you cant do it and it will be hard to sort yourself, public transport is awesome. But Im still a fan of the Dead Kennedys "Give me convenience or give me death" some times. One of the benefits of the tour type deal is contingency for delays etc, although most if not if all will happen at the Australia end.
Here are a few things I've found having done 6 trips now. Im no expert but hopefully this can help
Hypedia is a website that allows you to plan your internal travel within Japan. You cant book it on there but you can schedule it which is very helpful.
You have a few options to get from Narita to Hakuba, these are the main ones.
- Catch the Narita Express to Tokyo, then catch the Shinkansen to Nagano, then a bus to Hakuba. Its my preference, particularly if traveling during the day. If you go this way at night and cant make the last Hakuba bus from Nagano I stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel right at the Nagano station and thought it was great value.
- Chuoo Taxi is a shuttle bus service that runs from Narita Aiport to your Accomadation door in Hakuba. Really convenient and if at night a good way although approx 5-6 hours. Really simple and low stress.
- Hakubus is a bus service from Narita to Hakuba, never used so cant comment on it.
Easist way to get from Hakuba to Nozawa will be the bus from Hakuba to Nagano Station and then either the local train or bus to Nozawa. Ippy has done this many times and will hopefully chime in.
Best all round value for transport on the longer legs is the JR East 4 day Flexi Pass. You can use it on the Narita Express, Shinks, most local trains etc. Need to buy it before you leave approx $200 to buy.
On the way home I always stay near the airport on the last night to de-stress that part of the journey and in the past have stayed at the Airport Hilton (cheaper than you may think) but this time stayed in the town of Narita at the Richmond which was 5 mins from the JR station and really enjoyed the morning walking around the town and going to the temple etc then catching the local train although the hotel had a free shuttle too. I use the typical sites to book those city rooms and the contacts pages on SJF for most snow accomadation.
Loads of accomadation at Hakuba, when there I always stay in Echoland as I like to be able to head out to a variety of resturants and bars in that area and walk/stagger back to my digs and where I stay (Whitehorse) they drop you each morning at what ever resort you want to ride but Im sure many other places do that too - sometimes Im just a creature of habit. Hit up the accomadation page on here and email a range of them. Normally get a pretty quick response. Other people prefer to be able to walk to the lifts in the morning at somewhere like Happo and there is heaps of accomadation choices there, none of which i've stayed at so cant comment. There is a series of shuttle buses in Hakuba that can ferry you between resorts. If you are staying at Happo and want a break from Japanese food head to Uncle Stevens Mexican. Nice food and Margs
Either area would serve you well. Sorry cant add any info re Nozawa Accom as havent stayed there yet.ATM's are found at convenience stores (not always in a conveinent location) as a rule and not many other places and a LOT of places DONT accept credi cards so carry cash as a rule with a few exceptions. In the smaller towns they can be found in Post Offices only and only open during business hours. Myoko is such a place. Part of Shiga is the same but I cant recall which part.
On the way out if you are staying off mounatin a couple days Black Cat your bags to the airport. About $20 a bag and a great thing. Your hotel can sort this and you pick them up real close to where you check in.
You have HEAPS of time, start doing some doing some online free Japanese lessons. You'll be fine in Hakuba but in other places it will make your life heaps easier and open up so much more. Im embarresed how little I know after so many trips
But then my command of the Emglish language leaves a little to be desired too.Make sure you turn your data roaming off on your mobile phones before leaving Aus or you will have a NASTY surprise when you get home.Turn off all push notices too so if you get really stuck and need to turn it on it will minimise the cost.
You can load credit onto Skype and call any number in the world very cheaply. If you download the Skype app to your phone, find some free WiFi and make your calls.
Probably a good thing to do is read through all the trip reports relevant to Hakuba and Nozawa and ask as many questuons as you like. Just holler if I can help more.
- Catch the Narita Express to Tokyo, then catch the Shinkansen to Nagano, then a bus to Hakuba. Its my preference, particularly if traveling during the day. If you go this way at night and cant make the last Hakuba bus from Nagano I stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel right at the Nagano station and thought it was great value.
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Thanks for the pics again Mike. Those barriers look quite intimidating from the road, dont imagine it looks any easier from the top.
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If I only had one day in Tokyo I wouldnt be wasting it shopping for boots.
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Nar not in Japan til March. I think the hardest bit will be getting an Australian Bank or Finance Company to come to the party.
Use a line of credit from your Aussie property to pay for a place in Japan. No need to even tell the bank what you are using the $ for.
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Need to pick up some new things:
Snowboard trousers (dirty great big hole in the crotch)
Snowboard bag (dirty great big hole in the base) I've had a DaKine roller bag for over 10yrs and its still going strong although Im struggling to fit everything in it now. Need to cull some gear
Snowboard rucksack (wife broke the plastic spine support!) Bought a DaKine Heli pack this season and at 20 litres its a tad small. My previous Burton 25litre is much better with numerous pockets and more room for BC gear, spares etc. Sorry cant remember what model it is.
Tips for Hakuba vs. Niseko
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
TICesk here's my 2 cents. You are missing the point of coming to Japan. Put your park board away, buy a Fish or similar and come ride pow until it stops falling then ride park. It all about the pow son. If you are doing that go to Hakuba. Many more options and isn't tracked to death by 11am like Niseko except maybe Cortina.
Check out this vid. It pretty much sums up the trip someone your age had last year, I don't know the guy but tell me this is less fun than park.
http://vimeo.com/110312833