Happy to hear starting snow season.
I remember the earliest season up there we did it is on 31st. Oct 2002. It was 80cm deep amazing dry powder like mid season, we got some face shot. And had more snow fall next one week. Then upper area of Goryu,47, Happo ski resorts started early November in haste.
Nobody knows it going to be same like that, however wether forecast says more storm comes next one week. perhaps???Hopefully!
matsumoto

Hey Man,

I have been waiting to see a new post. Some awesome pics man. I am getting axious over here to ride. I have that 10 Wilderness First Aid course that starts next week. Can't wait to get out of desk for 10 days.

Send me your mailing address man... I gots a gift.

Cheers

Newf

Hi Rapie - thanks for the comment and info about 2002. No powder for us, but I think we will get some soon. The Yari Onsen bowl also looks good now.

Newf - I'll send my address now, sorry I forgot. Enjoy the course - one of the best in the world - Canada setting the standard once again.

Very nice man. Bet you couldn't wait to get first tracks of the season. Think you match well with George/Izumi fitness-wise. If I had known, I would have given the crampons to George a couple of weeks ago in Yuzawa, he could have passed them to you. No big deal.

I notice it is slightly less crowded than Tateyama ;-).

Take it easy.

Great pics and looks like good times had DB. Seems like Izumi and George get out a lot. Their homepage is great too.

Serreche, hopefully we can hook up this winter. I have to get out there more this season after a bad season last year for me ... Let me know what your plans are.

Serreche - no rush for the crampons, thanks for picking them up for me. Tateyama in November is tempting, but its a lot of money and Hakuba's mountains are literally out my front door and free... and uncrowded.

Thanks for the comments Nigel, it was a great day with George and Izui.

Damian-Makes sense. Why go far when you got the goods on your doorsteps.

Nigel-I will probably hang out at Kagura early in the season, doing the early season brush-up on beacons search, play around with new gear and ropes. I will then slowly move away from resorts as conditions improve. I want to do some more exploration this season and am always on the lookout for responsible people to join. This summer I have spent most of my time stuck in Tokyo and am now looking to get more fresh air. Later on, I will probably do part 2 of the avie course in Haks, and maybe try to hook-up with Damian a few times there if I can. That should sum it up for me. Will catch-up via mail with you to organize some outings together if you are interested.

Serre - definitely. Please let me know what your plans are as I would love to come out with you in Kagura early in the season. Cheers. Drop me a line if you have lost my email or mobile number or whatever

Nice shot of Lloyd waiting obediently for his owner! I looked back through some of last season's posts and was amazed to see the routes Lloyd is able to get up and down, even if you have to help him out now and then. What a great dog, and a lucky one to have a fun life with you.

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of the exploits of you both this winter.

Hi Julian, thanks for visiting again and commenting. You might enjoy the TR I'll be posting later today. Lloyd and I just returned from a rewarding mid-November ski descent from the summit of Hakuba Yari. We both had a great day.

I have one photo where it got a bit steep and icy just off the summit and Lloyd is leaning away from the slope with claws dug in and not looking very willing at all. In this case I encouraged him by throwing a chunk of ice towards some more gently angled rocks to the side.

You went up there again? Kudos to Lloyd. You wondered last season if it was the first time a dog had been down that route. I would be surprised if any other dogs have ever slithered down any of your major routes in winter. When I showed your pictures to my wife today, she reckoned that the Japanese are no match for the truly adventurous gaijin. And of course, the dog photos elicited lots of "kawaiiiii".

I'll definitely have to bring Hana over to meet you, but in winter all I could do would be to break trail in snowshoes till it gets too steep.

Another local Husky skied Yari a few years ago, but not the front line. I think Lloyd was the first on that. The comment is in one of my TR's about Yari (menu top right)

It is good to have the hiking season over as we now roam the peaks without hassle. And early season snow is mostly hard under foot = better for dogs.

As for yesterday's adventure, it was the third time Lloyd has skied from the top of Yari. We are getting to be quite a team on that hill. Here is the report posted today.
http://steepdeepjapan.com/diary/hakuba-yari-in-nov

I'd love to meet Hana as well, though I'd recommend spring for a better dog and snow combo. The corn snow is far kinder on them. In fact, Lloyd's mountain activity is about to go on hold until the powder season ends.

But please, any time that suits - come up with Hana. There is great snowshoe hiking here from the valley from now until spring. We just have to avoid the deep stuff.