Well, I'm averaging a tour every 5 days or so at the moment in the Hakuba backcountry and its taking some motivation to keep going out. Yet every time I do it is worth the effort. Today was nothing special from a riding perspective, but I enjoyed having a wide ranging look at conditions up behind Norikura Dake. I decided to ski again rather than snowboard as I like the fast light ski touring setup that I have and also enjoy spring skiing more than spring snowboarding. I didn't have Lloyd with me as I used the Tsugaike ski resort gondola and cable car to gain altitude and reach the snow line (recently re-opened for summer, I was the only skier for miles). After looking around the back of Norikura Dake I travelled up the ridge to Korenege Dake (2769m) and skied down excellent corn on an easterly aspect. Total descent was 1000m of worthwhile vertical. I have ridden it before and always enjoy returning to the area..
Note: the above picture, used to illustrate the area, was taken in winter and conditions today where obviously not nearly as good. Today had glum lighting and dirty patchy spring snow, as you can see below.
Some of the best snow right now is unsurprisingly on Yukikura Dake (yuki means snow). Its a great mountain and on the the side of the main ridge from Hakuba, and so entirely hidden from view when in the valley. I might plan an overnight trip to an always open and unmanned hut in a col just near the summit.
Yukikura Dake (2610m) viewed from Norikura. The snow on the rounded top of Norikura is all gone, but in the protected bowl the hut is still partially buried under 3 meters of snow and the lake still frozen, though thawing. The aspect I was intending on skiing was partially shrubs and rocks, making access difficult. I was surprised to find this but was happy to fall back on a Korenge Dake summit as plan B.
