panhead_pete

Yeah agreed mate.The guy in Hakuba was with a group so besides cold feet and some shame was apparently ok. This year I have a new plan, albiet a tad expensive. BC tours etc for those days outside the ropes. Only time I'll be on my own is on resort and even then its not ideal and I'll certainly endeavour to find others to ride with. Im not embarrasessed to say I still have much to learn and have been silly in the past.

Man I feel sorry for the Ski Patrol and all others involved with the recoveries. 2x in one day is TERRIBLE. Having been involved with one fatality on mountain and a couple elsewhere, dead people suck This incident is sobering stuff. Last year I rode out the gates a few times by myself and learnt that it was a dumb idea the easy way and wont do that again. The inexperienced (me at the time, less so now) do think that if the gates are open and there are a LOT of people around that its relatively safe. Older or wiser hands know better. Chriselle last week the Hakuba guys had to use rope

Wow thats tragic. Condolences to the familes. I cant understand the intent with the next line in the report though. (Translation mistake perhaps?) "Disrespecting, ignoring or criticizing this Information or the Niseko Rules is not a problem as long as people take care of themselves and avoid thoughtless actions that could lead to serious accidents"

Anyone done the Cat at Hikarigahara?

They have it plenty good there and as I understand it never leave. Havent been to Nozawa yet so cant add re the skiing but its on my to do list that is for sure.

Great vid Garry.Love the ones that start with getting there as well riding/sking

Tubby, rode there last year and it was a fun day. Plenty of nice runs and not many people. Would happily go back. Mike great pics even if it looks like everyone is an amputee.

An oldie but a goodie.The song that got me into the Dandys. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APrpB-i4d_E

As Tubby said, Shiga is really quiet even in the peak part of the season. There is a cool Izakaya just down the road from the big cluster of hotels at Ichinose which served cold beer and yummy food. Nothing else to really do either except ride/ski.

Was that at 47 TB? Ippy was wondering if you had gone today.

Looking at buying a GoPro for this trip and various other reasons. What accessories did you guys buy with it? Helmet mount? Looks like extra battery or two is a must. Anything else? Thanks Pete

Did you try 902 in Echoland? Pretty sure last year they were stocking them.

Thanks guys. Placed my order at Backcountry yesterday. All going to plan it will be meeting me at my Myoko digs the day I arrive.

Thanks guys. In the end despite my initial intent to buy some I bought everything but the shoes. New plan is to rent when required and also rent a split board for at least a day to trial that. Interesting to read that the split is not the answer to all conditions so may ultimately end up with both. Thanks for the hint re the rope too, was going to carry a short length for emergencies and will give the tow a go too.

Wow that's awesome value. How did your source it mate?

The monkeys are worth a look, wear what ever foot wear gives you the most grip on ice though, the path up can be really slippery.

Be careful doing that, they may not know where they are going. You can guess how I leant that lesson....

Stoked for you TB. Been seeing pics and vids on FB. Looks like a LOT of fun being had at 47 etc.

Oh bummer about your ankle Did he run into you? :) (Ask Seemore.. ) LOL

Tranny bars in Shinjku rock

Pension Kanon looked after me as a single. Cool place, nice guy.

Gozaimaas you are living my 2013 dream. This season I had hoped to do 4 weeks around Nagano on a similar trip but with some nights in hotels but are unable to due to work. Looking forward to reading how this goes for you and any additional info you can share around the long term hire car etc. Thanks for posting.

Where you going this weekend TB? Lots of wind in Hakuba as I understand it.

TB Will be in Myoko for at least 8 days from Feb 8 then at this stage headed to Hakuba for 5 nights after that but hoping to hit a lot of small resorts in the Nagano region but all dependent on Pow. Hopefully we can all catch up for a beer again but this year I hope to avoid 902

Nate try Peniosn Kanon in Niseko. About the same distance to the lift and cool Japanese run place. Thanks for the great TR.