29 Jan 09
Eric and I went for a few days camping in the Sarukura area of Hakuba backcountry and enjoyed 6 great descents over two days. The terrain we were after included the northerly tree lines of Obinata Yama (1900m) and the ridge running from it towards Junction Peak at the foot of Shakushi Dake.
Our touring terrain is in the middle of this picture and includes the benched tree terrain on the left and the long concave slope running up to the right with various chutes from the long ridge. All terrain held great snow, although a bit thin, the powder was fast and fun. And stable. The weather was perfect. A great camping trip.
Choosing an entry was only hard because there were so many of them and only two of us. An overload of untracked choices.
Our main bowl and camp site far in the distance, out of a slide path.
Splendid
The lines, the snow, the sky - looking great up there.
By the way, I read that a guy died of hypothermia up on Happo-One over the weekend - seemed unusual, is there much chatter about it?
Splendid indeed
Hi Chris, it was a great time to be there. The higher alpine was alluring as well. But we were very happy at our place.
I have not heard about a hypothermia death on Happo. It was a very warm weekend though, Saturday night freezing was at 2000m.
Ref.http://mainichi.jp/select
Ref.http://mainichi.jp/select/jiken/news/20090105k0000m040033000c.html
Two (a male 57 and a female 50 from Aichi) were
found dead by hypothermia near Happo Ike (No.3 cairn) of Happo One at 9:40am on Feb 4, 2009. They are climbers supposed to head to Karamatsu-dake on Feb 1.
I struggle to understand how
I struggle to understand how that can happen. Basic emergency mountaineering equipment would keep you alive there. They died 1.3km from the top of Happo ski area with very gentle terrain en route to safety. Who knows what events lead up to their demise. Something must have gone terribly wrong and their equipment must have been seriously below their winter mountain hiking objective.
It is the second time this year.
The same comment came in
The same comment came in another some blogs.
Refer a blog: http://yamayakenta.blog51.fc2.com/blog-entry-497.html
The man was supposed to fell down apx 100m icy terrain. However, the woman was guessed to remain at a safety ridge. She was found dead just near to the summer trail. Why didn't she call a rescue. She lost her way..????
People need a map as per the
People need a map as per the topic.
http://itm-asp.com/cc/1615/972tp4do
This is a popular BC area in spring. Sarukura-sou opens from Apr 29 thru May 6 and May 24 thru Oct 13. You can park your car at Sarukura-sou PL when it opens. People climb up Hakuba-dai-sekkei as well Kanayama-zawa, and enjoy descending snowing.
However, only BC experts and ethusiasts can visit this area in winter because of much avalanche risks.
The toughest time is before
The toughest time is before the road to Sarukura opens. It adds 12km's to my day, and shirouma (2932m) from 800m in the valley is a long haul. The worst period is just before the road opens: the way is cleared of snow and I am usually left having to walk it on foot in and out - skinning is not possible for most of it. I once tried my bike at 2am but it was far to icy on the road.