I participated in the Hikarigahara CAT TOUR several years ago.
The conditions at that time were a little extreme, with the temperature being a little high, the snow being heavy, the wind being strong, and wind prints on the snow surface forming a crust in places where the wind hit directly.
Backcountry is not powder.I was reminded that everything is pristine, it's backcountry.
But wasn't that fun?If so, the answer is NO!I was able to fully enjoy the real pleasure of sliding in nature as it is.Above all, being able to travel by snowmobile (CAT) in a vast area and skate with just a dozen people was the best experience in my snowboarding life.
This time, I was able to participate in the Hikarigahara CAT TOUR again.It is natural that the same condition will never happen again.I was also able to gain new experiences.
I would like to introduce a little about what I experienced this time.What I wrote here was established only on that day, and I don't know if reading this would give me the same experience.It may be in better condition or it may be in worse condition.Also, depending on the gliding technique, some people may enjoy it even in similar conditions.Please read it after understanding.
One day in February.A low pressure system with a front passed from the afternoon of the previous day.After it rained on the plain, it became a strong winter-type pressure distribution, and the weather was snowy from the evening. On the morning of the CAT TOUR, it was a little sunny, but basically it was snowing all day.
The CAT with us will move to the first point in 30-40 minutes.Meanwhile, Shunsuke Hoshino (BURTON [AK]), one of the starting guides for snowmobiles, will perform a pit check (weak layer test).The day before, it seems that humid snow had piled up, the bond with the layer of dry snow before that was weak, and there is a high possibility of an avalanche depending on the slope.Snowfall, weather, temperature, visibility, gliding level of participants ... The guide policy decides which slope to glide in consideration of these.
CAT arrives at the first point.A panoramic view overlooking the direction of Myoko City and Joetsu City.If the weather is nice, you can see the Sea of Japan.
Chief guide Mitsugu Toyoda explained about the snowfall situation, and today he will slide around the relatively stable slope of the tree.And there was an explanation of the terrain about the first slope.
First of all, the first one to break in your feet.
A little heavy but powder.Of course no track.Drop one after another so that the lines do not overlap.Then, in the latter half, the guide lines are traced and gathered.
My body still doesn't move as I expected, but I finish the first run while checking the snow surface of the notebook and the running condition of the board.
When I returned to the cabin of CAT, I wondered if I slipped on one and relaxed my feelings, and the conversation between the tour guests began to bounce.
"Where do you usually slip?"
"Did you enter the backcountry over there?"
"It's snowing everywhere this year."
I was shaken by CAT while talking to him.
Expectations for the next slope will gradually increase.
The second one is to a tree with a slight slope.
The right hand is a little tight and the left hand is a little open.The route that finally arrives at CAT Road.The snow is getting a little stronger, but the visibility is reasonably good.
The preceding people are in the left hand, so drop from the right hand.After passing through a slightly tight tree, an open burn appears.It is interesting because the slope also changes.However, I couldn't get the speed I wanted because I couldn't imagine the terrain on the slope that I entered for the first time.I stalled at a loose slope and lost my balance.
regrettable….I'm angry at myself who can't ride.
Next time on the same slope.
The slope is the same, but if you change the slope a little, it will be no track again.Now that I know the feel of the snow and the appearance of the slopes, I can slide a little more drastically.
I feel like I've been able to interact with the snow little by little.
lunch time.
Park CAT in the woods and have lunch in the cabin.
Lunch carried by snowmobiles is warm because it is packed in a box with high heat retention.
This lunch box served with hot flavored coffee is a fashionable menu that even OL in Marunouchi will be happy with.
Lunch of Italian "TRATTORIA LA PENTOLACCIA" in Joetsu City.
On this day, the roast beef sandwich sandwiched between potatoes, asparagus and bouillon stewed chicken, ham and salad, and chunky dough chapata is full of volume.Both quality and quantity are perfect.
The gap of eating a warm and fashionable Italian lunch in the backcountry where it wouldn't be strange to be in distress if you walked up.
This is the joy of adults.This is also one of the attractions of Hikarigahara CAT TOUR.
As expected, it is produced by Masanori Takeuchi.
In the afternoon, visibility was getting worse, so CAT moved to the slope on the Nagano prefecture side where the wind was exchanged.
When you get off the CAT, you can see the Nozawa Onsen area on the other side.
First, let's look at the situation from a slope with little slope.The snow quality is lighter than on the Niigata side.The higher the speed, the higher the spray.
Next, CAT headed for Burn, which has the same slope but a slope.
View the slope from above.
The start is about 30 degrees, the tree is moderately spaced, the powder is light, and the possibility of an avalanche is low.There is a gochisou in front of me that there is no more for snowboarders.Nobody says "Yay".
Take off.
Speed up without turning as much as possible.Avoid the track of the person in front and point the nose toward the no-track burn.A feeling of floating that cannot be said.If you step on it lightly, moderate snow resistance will be transmitted from the sole and you will hold the board.Switch back.And again, carve a new track on the solid snow surface.
I want to taste more.But little by little the end of the slope is approaching.
It's ephemeral.What a long time!
In my brain, each movement was flowing slowly like slow motion.However, in reality, it takes several tens of seconds.It was vertical and over 100m was over in no time.
"The highest!" I was screaming unintentionally.
After that, I slipped another one on the Nagano side, returned to the Niigata side with CAT and slipped another one, and finally slid down the CAT road to the base with one foot.
This is the Hikarigahara CAT TOUR of the day.
The visibility was poor.There was also a heavy snowfall.It wasn't in the best condition, but it was the best tour course I could do on this day.
Definitely fun.Satisfied.
Thanks to CAT, I enjoyed this much.Thanks to the guide. Without CAT, you wouldn't be able to skate this many backcountry.And without a guide, you can't slip in with confidence.Perhaps even in the harsher conditions, I think I was able to glide happily.This is because the staff of Hikarigahara CAT TOUR always manages the crisis, prepares carefully, and guides with skilled skills.
How difficult it is to get everyone back home without getting hurt ...
Hikarigahara CAT TOUR allows you to comfortably and safely slide 1 to 3 lines in an area where you can slide 5 to 1 lines in 2 to 6 hours a day without hike.
I want people who understand this "value" to participate.
TEXT: Mr.
