first post

[telepariah]

Toby, in my four years in Japan, I never went to Hakuba. I was probably a 99% backcountry or slackcountry skier in those days and all my Honshu skiing was bc. So I don't know about the touring options around Hakuba. Knowing what I do know about the Japan Alps, I can tell you that they are way steeper than anything in Hokkaido with only limited exceptions I can think of and you would have a hard time getting to most of those in winter. Some of them have thin depth hoar snowpacks in the Hidaka and on the eastern part of the island. They can give up the goods in spring, but you need to be there and wait for the right storm. Winter access in some of those remote areas is long.

Some of my friends there might want to kill me for saying this, but, as far as the bc opportunities around Niseko, well, they are pretty close to endless. The Niseko range of volcanoes is a line of peaks pretty much identical to Iwao-Nuppuri that extends all the way from Annupuri to the Japan Sea coast about 20 km west of where those pictures were taken. There are multiple easy access points, some of which have lifts that take you up to treeline. It is very old school away from the resorts on Annupuri. The snowfall is epic and unbelievably consistent.

My friends tell me that things are getting more tracked every year off Annupuri, but most of the bootpacking occurs on the frontside. You ride the lift to the highest point and bootpack about 200 meters up from there to the summit. At the summit there will be about 200 Aussies and Japanese standing around and getting ready to ski back down into the ski resorts (there are 5 ski resorts on the mountain). But there is also a backside with two main bowls and that is where these pictures come from. We used to camp at Goshiki Onsen and just tour out from there. The biggest vertical in that area is off the back of Annupuri, but the terrain is wide open and always powder.

Across the valley from the Hirafu side of Annupuri is Yotei-zan, the Fuji of Hokkaido. It isn't skied all that often because of bad weather, but the south side is where you want to go to approach it. The vertical relief from the summit is considerable, more than 1600 meters. I tried from the west side once and it was a very bad mistake. At treeline everything turned to rime and on the way down I triggered an avalanche in a cross-loaded starting zone in trees at 28 degrees that took me for a very scary ride. That isn't to say that would always be the case, but the orientation of the west side to the wind is very favorable to riming above treeline and crossloading below. The south side is the standard route for good reason. The skiing there is outstanding.

I honsetly can't think of anyplace I would rather ski tour than Hokkaido.

[telepariah]

When I think of "old telemarkers" I think of bitter people. People who hate snowboarder, people who talked shit about young new eager backcountry skiers, people who talk shit about people who make big high speed turns, people who dont like fat skis, people who dont like heli skiers, people who talk shit about dudes hucking huge air,people in leather boots who make the ugliest double poll planting turns I have ever seen, people in gaters and fanny packs. But I know not all old telemarkers are like that, hopefully you are one of the apparant few whose not all bitter about sharing a little pow. Nice picture, hope you have a great winter.

I just plain talk shit. Don't take anything I say personally. My biggest problem is with those who take telemarking so seriously they can't even laugh at themselves. Hacksaw claims it was me who coined the phrase, "It's a turn, not a religion." I have no recollection whatsoever of saying it but he assures me I was most certainly drunk at the time--not that I disagree.

[corn dog]

I will admit that I like to talk shit about telers

THere is a good website somewhere on the internet for that.

And WELCOME TP!!

[Toby]

Toby, in my four years in Japan, I never went to Hakuba. I was probably a 99% backcountry or slackcountry skier in those days and all my Honshu skiing was bc. So I don't know about the touring options around Hakuba. Knowing what I do know about the Japan Alps, I can tell you that they are way steeper than anything in Hokkaido with only limited exceptions I can think of and you would have a hard time getting to most of those in winter. Some of them have thin depth hoar snowpacks in the Hidaka and on the eastern part of the island. They can give up the goods in spring, but you need to be there and wait for the right storm. Winter access in some of those remote areas is long.

Some of my friends there might want to kill me for saying this, but, as far as the bc opportunities around Niseko, well, they are pretty close to endless. The Niseko range of volcanoes is a line of peaks pretty much identical to Iwao-Nuppuri that extends all the way from Annupuri to the Japan Sea coast about 20 km west of where those pictures were taken. There are multiple easy access points, some of which have lifts that take you up to treeline. It is very old school away from the resorts on Annupuri. The snowfall is epic and unbelievably consistent.

My friends tell me that things are getting more tracked every year off Annupuri, but most of the bootpacking occurs on the frontside. You ride the lift to the highest point and bootpack about 200 meters up from there to the summit. At the summit there will be about 200 Aussies and Japanese standing around and getting ready to ski back down into the ski resorts (there are 5 ski resorts on the mountain). But there is also a backside with two main bowls and that is where these pictures come from. We used to camp at Goshiki Onsen and just tour out from there. The biggest vertical in that area is off the back of Annupuri, but the terrain is wide open and always powder.

Across the valley from the Hirafu side of Annupuri is Yotei-zan, the Fuji of Hokkaido. It isn't skied all that often because of bad weather, but the south side is where you want to go to approach it. The vertical relief from the summit is considerable, more than 1600 meters. I tried from the west side once and it was a very bad mistake. At treeline everything turned to rime and on the way down I triggered an avalanche in a cross-loaded starting zone in trees at 28 degrees that took me for a very scary ride. That isn't to say that would always be the case, but the orientation of the west side to the wind is very favorable to riming above treeline and crossloading below. The south side is the standard route for good reason. The skiing there is outstanding.

I honsetly can't think of anyplace I would rather ski tour than Hokkaido.

Quoting your post for posterity. Great info, and the polar opposite of everything I've heard about Niseko except the 200 Aussies standing at the peak.

[Tri-Ungulate]

My biggest problem is with those who take telemarking so seriously they can't even laugh at themselves.

So your sudden appearance on this board wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a recent 100+ page thread chock-full 'o micro-analyzing, hyper-scrutiny-oriented, obsessive-compulsive, solipsitic libertarians spouting off about just how goddamn seriously they took the sanctity of telemark skiing, now would it...?

[iceman]

So your sudden appearance on this board wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a recent 100+ page thread chock-full 'o micro-analyzing, hyper-scrutiny-oriented, obsessive-compulsive, solipsitic libertarians spouting off about just how goddamn seriously they took the sanctity of telemark skiing, now would it...?

Who cares? Glad he's here.

Although it's interesting that one week A.M. is teasing that community and the next week god is throwing VW-sized boulders and avies at him.

hmmm.

[Tri-Ungulate]

Who cares? Glad he's here.

Although it's interesting that one week A.M. is teasing that community and the next week god is throwing VW-sized boulders and avies at him.

hmmm.

True and True and hmmm indeed.

[shera]

I just plain talk shit. Don't take anything I say personally. My biggest problem is with those who take telemarking so seriously they can't even laugh at themselves. Hacksaw claims it was me who coined the phrase, "It's a turn, not a religion." I have no recollection whatsoever of saying it but he assures me I was most certainly drunk at the time--not that I disagree.

Noice!!! Good to see you here!

[Dobish]

i bet you dont even really know how to ski


welcome....

[telepariah]

All evidence indicates that may be the case.



NEVERTHLESS!

[le bump]

so since you telemark, why do all telemarkers look like they were dressed by REI? the good ones, they usually look like other good skiers and have hoodies and normal stuff, but most all the telemarks always have the latest techie Bs they are pushing at REI. its like they read outside and buy whatever they are told.

[Rontele]

so since you telemark, why do all telemarkers look like they were dressed by REI? the good ones, they usually look like other good skiers and have hoodies and normal stuff, but most all the telemarks always have the latest techie Bs they are pushing at REI. its like they read outside and buy whatever they are told.

KILLER GENERALIZATION BRO!

[le bump]

KILLER GENERALIZATION BRO!

no really check it out sometime when your in the lift line. everyone's got thier own look, the jibbers have the sag going and the telemarkers have the REI thing going. not hating just observing. sounds like you have an REI card though.

[Rontele]

no really check it out sometime when your in the lift line. everyone's got thier own look, the jibbers have the sag going and the telemarkers have the REI thing going. not hating just observing. sounds like you have an REI card though.

I do and cannot wait to get my dividend back this year.

[telepariah]

Does REI sell hoodies?

[le bump]

I do and cannot wait to get my dividend back this year.

cool with div. so come on admit it, you've skied with 4 layers before.

[Dobish]

i went into an REI once....
















it sucked. Nobody helped me out, and nobody could answer my questions. I went to a real gear shop instead.

[Rontele]

i went into an REI once....
















it sucked. Nobody helped me out, and nobody could answer my questions. I went to a real gear shop instead.

And after you started working in a real gear shop, I stopped going to REI

[TeleHoar]

What's REI??


Good to see ya here C!

[Hacksaw]

Well Tele, welcome to the ruff and tumble world of TGR (i.e., the darkside) .......

I'll mail you a nickel sticker.....

And yes, I think you where drunk when you said Telemark is a tun not a religion.....

Cheers,
Halsted

[iskibc]

Telemarking is stupid.






Yeah, I stoled that phrase from Pinner.

Teleporiah = Charlie?? If so, welcome aboard. Good to see you over these parts.

[irul&ublo]

Is that a picture of Hacksaw Jim Duggan or your current girlfriend?

[telepariah]

Teleporiah = Charlie?? If so, welcome aboard. Good to see you over these parts.

Yeah, it's me. Thanks Dave! I think I will like it here.

[Johnny Deep]

THere is a good website somewhere on the internet for that.

And WELCOME TP!!

The madness of it all


...and easy with the sushi!

[Rontele]

Is that a picture of Hacksaw Jim Duggan or your current girlfriend?

It is Hacksaw Jim Duggan. I dumped your sister last night.