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Headed out to the Tateyama range on the 16th of November. I could not line-up weather + partners and had to bite the bullet and go solo. First lines of the 2012-2013 season for me and being solo I took it easy. No gnar here. Just enjoying the fat J-Pow and taking in the sceneries. A mellow but satisfying outting. Haha Koi Zaka was my second line of the day and means Slope of Motherly Love... I did not pick the name but enjoyed the line.

Looking good at the bottom of the mountain


Vis on the way up went to nil


On the top it fluctuated between close to nil and about 25m depending on the wind


Then the following day the heavens opened up


"Waist Deep" optical illusion


Time to go


My first drop-in area, and first of the 2012-2013 season


Snow, sun and shadows


Met some cool birds on the way up... actually 2 males



My first tracks of the morning, starting to climb back up


A group of 3 far away following in morning tracks


More shadows, light and shapes






The goal


Wind made divots


Looking back down at my track snaking up


What a beautiful-looking area!


Slides were releasing naturally, nobody was taken by this one


Looking back as I am leaving. My skin track zig-zaging on the left.
The short turn right with the sharp angle pointing left is where I saw the pair of raichos (Ptarmigans / Lagopedes). Part of my track for my 2nd descent of the day is the one in the top right corner that is closest to the rock.


All the pictures can be found here:
http://www.japanpeuf.com/20121116/thumb.html

And that's it. See you there in 2013.
I will put a couple of vids up later.

And my specialty, a slanted youtube vid:

Those are some gorgeous mountains. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks.

All Japan stoke welcome!

I plan to make a pilgrimage. Mountains, hot springs, and temples! The Land of the Gods.

CR

so rad! keep 'em coming.

Japan, it's just so epic.

Cool, what's the season at Tateyama, i.e. when does the road close then re-open?

Nick, Chronic, Wasatch, thanks guys. Was very lucky with the weather so the pics came out really well. The day before and the day after those pics, the access road was closed because of blizzard-like conditions (from one side of the mountain, the other side using tunnels and cable cars was open). This area in blue bird conditions after a large dumpage of snow is hard to beat in Japan in terms of visual beauty. I've kind of spoiled my own market there, I do not think my next Japan stoke will be nearly as nice-looking... But I'll try my best!

Method, Tateyama opens from mid april to end of november. You want to avoid the thanksgiving w/e though as it gets quite busy but for many people that is the only time they can head out there. Great OZ TR by the way earlier this year matey, way to go after it.