080412 Avalanche Jiigatake Dake

A 36 year old male skier from Tokyo was killed in an avalanche whilst descending Jiigatake (2670m) at 3.30pm.  The avalanche happened at around 1700m

The peak is in the Omachi-Hakuba area, roughly behind the Kasimayari ski resort.  It is a good backcountry area with a convenient access road and gentle trails leading to the main range. There is a popular ENE snow field in the area, the top of which is pictured below.

The trigger here has not been reported, however I would most certainly bet it was due to the lateness of  a warm spring day.  The 12th was sunny and warm and steep sun exposed rocks would have been releasing what fresh snow remained on them from recent snowfall with the slide being funnelled down feeder gullies into larger gullies and snowfields..  Steep skier triggered slides of isothermal snow would also have been very easy.

Late afternoon skiing in spring is dangerous.  Major peak routes and exits through exposed terrain should be over by midday, no later. If you reach the summit at lunchtime, especially on a sunny day, then you are most certainly in big trouble and will need some luck to avoid death or injury from avalanche or rockfall. Sadly this death does not surprise me as I have seen a number of parties still approaching their intended summit at 11am on sunny days.  Last week a Japanese pair of skiers on a Hakuba Yarigatake trip didn't reach the summit until 3pm.  They reported minor injury and damaged gear from rockfall, and a lucky escape from what could have been much worse.

Jiigatake Dake area in the distance with the top section of a very nice long snowfield on the ENE aspect.