panhead_pete

You do know its raining dont you???

Hey GN a serious question. Why is there an international dislike for riding under lifts? Depending on terrain seems to be one of the safest places as you have people passing over head who can spot an incident and notify patrol if need be. The only place its been a bit sus has been under Swinging Monkey where you could almost touch the chairs when riding that 1/2 pipe under it.

Im flying Friday Roscoe and arrive Myoko Sat morning. Have a great time in Shiga, there's some fun runs there if you get the snow that's forecast You bringing Junky with you to Myoko?

Based on my very imited slack country experience but now having been to a few resorts big and small in Japan and OS, Niseko Gates is undoubtably the perfect place for taking the next step from riding inbounds all day, the risk profile is ceratinly lower then SC/BC elsewhere (incl Niseko) as GN points out aand as patrol are assessing it before opening it and for me was a great place to learn some limitations in myself and also start to understand off resort risks. Having so many people around you,whilst at 1st dissapointing is a blessing in disguise if it goes bad. I just wish Id spoken to the

Sorry Mike was typing while you posted.... just what I was trying to say but far more eloquently. This was pretty much my thought process the 1st year I rode there as I am sure it is with others.

Wow that looks like a great run to poach.

Hey Roscoe - see you next week. Drop me an email if you like panhead_pete at hotmail.com Looks like there will be a good storm next week

If the person was unconscious these are the steps Id be discussing as a possible approach with anyone else with me in the absence of ski patrol in the immedaiate area. Once they arrive its their show. Ensure that no further persons are put at risk whilst you assess the situation. Dont panic, assess all options and plan If there was two of you outside the hole, send the most competent skier/boarder for help if you cant summons help by comms as its unlikely two of you will be able to safely recover a 3rd person if they are unconcious, particularly if you have no rescue experience. Even if tw

Glad you are OK Muika.

Man that last pic is spooky. Looks like it was worth the hike though Hows the ankle?

Hate to be the one to break it to you but the RECCO reflector offers you ZERO protection. It's the greatest smoke & mirrors act in the clothing industry. But that's just my opinion. No worries Mike, thanks for the feedback. It wasnt one of the reasons I bought the jacket just another extra feature. Ah well another useless feature by the sounds of it Will be using my beacon when conditions etc require.

Thanks for you awesome contribution Wizz - stellar effort and contributuion to a thread focussed on the death of two people and what can be learn't from it with a view of improving the safety of the SJ community. Whilst other contributers to this thread and I have alternate views they contributed to the discussion in a meaningful way based upon extensive experience, what have you added? 2/10ths of .... Champ!

That was my point - it doesnt. But most of the posts kept going on about the risks at Niseko rather than EVERY where

You guys struggling with this concept that people actually go other places then Niseko, I guess I should have been clearer???

Why has this discussion ended up being Niseko centric? Given the two tragic deaths happened there but its a discussion with value across a wide range locations, a lot of which have higher risk profiles then just rolling out a gate at Niseko, as pointed out by GN and others. Ride with rope or dont, its your call. For me Im packing some after this discussion and seeing the pic from Hakuba so as to be able to help others if need be and possibly myself. Will it reduce the likelihood side of the risk equation no, could it alter the consequence yes. Just the same as the recco reflector built into my

If you have time Black Cat your board bag from Niseko and just have a carry on bag.

Annika - great TR. Really hope to do a similar trip next season. Somehing I do every year is go to those cheesey souvneer shops in Oz and buy packets of those stuffed little koalas. Normally $10 will get you a couple packs. I try and keep a few in my jacket and back pack for times when people are really nice or the lifties are really hot. The smile they bring is gold.

Im sure they were, but to be honest, due my my limited experience I had not considered them except when they were visible from a lift.This incident and the ensuring discussion has raised my awareness and Im better prepared to help others. How can that not be a good outcome?

Hi Kansaiash Great TR and pics! Im a huge fan of the resorts you went to and will be back that way in a few weeks. If I may can I offer some advice based on personal experience at Cortina and your comments above. If the tree runs are beyond you as you stated so is the slack country and back country. There are numerous good in bounds lines at Cortina that depending on the crowd will be good most of the day, including tree runs. Its an awesome place to build skills. One way to improve your tree riding skills is to find a nice run with trees along it and just go in and out back to the main ru

Hi GN, hope all is well. I cant and wont speak for others but can shed some light why for me Im interested in this discussion and I've just used this as a learning re what else I can carry in my pack that would be useful in a variety of scenarios not just a glide crack, particularly as Im rather new to BC. In addition Im not likely to be in the Niseko BC anytime soon more so all over Honshu where maybe conditions are different, maybe not, but I know of one guy that has fallen in a large hole already this season riding in an area Im likely to be in and they needed rope to get him out. Am I now

Mine is 10m long mate, now please understand Im no expert and this may or may not be sufficent.

Go Sarah!!! Good on ya Mike for helping randoms have fun.

If you had a car.

Ippy cant you just order in the right size Blazes if that's what you want?

Gary is absolutey correct. Knots etc great diminish rope strength. Yesterday I bought some 6mm rope rated to 750kg, a small pulley, 48" tape for wrapping around a tree or person and 2 x Quick Draws. The rope whilst thin can be doubled up as required. Would have prefered 11mm but couldnt carry a long enough length.