"Kaguramine BC Boot Camp" was held for the first time last year as a joint project of TRIFORCE and SBN.This is the second time.
Since the last time was a beginner's edition, we had people who were new to backcountry and those who had experienced it several times participated. This was the first attempt by SBN, but it was well received by the participants.In addition, there are several people who have awakened to the backcountry in earnest at the camp.This is really nice.What I hiked, what I slipped, and what I learned ... Although each person receives it differently, I think I was able to show a new area in their snowboarding life.
In response to the voice that "I definitely want to experience Kagura in the midwinter" this season, we have decided to hold a camp called "Intermediate Edition".
I myself, who accompanied me, became a member of the party because I was still at the level of intermediate backcountry, but I couldn't convey it without experiencing it.
This camp is February 2-7, one night and two days.It is the time when the most snowfall can be expected in the season.Moreover, this time, we stayed at "Wadagoya" on the slopes.It gives you a feeling of expectation that is different from the usual one-night, two-day snowboard camp.
The group of participants who gathered at the ropeway platform of Mitsumata Station are all equipped by themselves like intermediate people.The board also carries free riding boards suitable for backcountry such as "Powder Snow", "GENTEM", and Burton's "Malolo" and "Cascade".
Other than us, there are people who carry snowshoes and backpacks with poles attached to them and head for the ropeway with boards such as "Vector Glide" and "VOLTAGE".After all, this is a major backcountry spot.Participants from Fukushima have a complicated expression, "Does so many people enter the backcountry?"However, it is also true that we are one of them.
Start the camp by greeting the TRIFORCE people who will guide you.
Thinking about the mountain I'm heading for, I boarded the ropeway from Mitsumata Station.
It snowed on Friday, and the temperature seems to continue below freezing, and Kagura is a potato starch powder that squeaks every time you step on the slope base.Moreover, there is no cloud and there is no wind.
Due to the weather, a considerable number of people have entered the mountain.I'm worried that I can slide on the notebook with this.
Continue hike with almost no stagnation in one party of 6 people including the guide.When you reach the peak of Nakaone, you will see a large panorama of Uonuma below.It is a clear sky with no clouds and you can see the mountains far away.
First, slide a short one.Although it is on the south slope, the temperature is low and the snow quality is light.As I slide down first, hold the video and wait for the follow-up, my friends pop out from the border between white and blue while raising the spray.I suddenly muttered "beautiful" in my heart.
Climb back to the peak and take a lunch break.
Far mountains overlooking.Convenience store rice balls and SOY JOY feel very delicious.People who are accustomed to climbing the mountain bring a gas stove (single burner) and Kochel.One of my friends made and ate "Marutai Ramen" even though he was from Tokyo. He was impressed when he told me that it was Kyushu's soul food.
After lunch, head down to the route.Choose the northern slope of the Nakaone.Of course, it is a no-track burn with the guide's route guidance.
Slide down one by one.The joyful voices of our friends echo in the mountains of silence.It seems that it feels good at last.
Then it's my turn.Start cruising slowly on a big turn.The snow quality is light dry powder like the north slope.A feeling of floating that can not be said when jumping into a fluffy no-track.Unconsciously making a falsetto voice.
A swampy terrain appears in the latter half of the slope.Loosely apply snow surfing from the back side to the front side.When I arrived at my friends, they welcomed me with a high five.
Check in at Wadagoya and start beer!
I'm happy that I don't have to worry about driving on the way home.
Take a bath and beer again.
Before the meal, but a small banquet with friends.Mountains, boards, equipment ... Such backcountry discussions are also fun.
Supper at 6:XNUMX.
I used to eat at the mountain lodge, but this is quite delicious.Everything from small bowls to main dishes, new incense and desserts has been flattened cleanly.
Even though it was still past 7 o'clock after the meal, the feeling of fatigue, satisfaction and fullness melted in the Arco Hall and I fell asleep in a happy mood.
The next morning, I woke up with the sound of the wind passing outside the window.The stormy weather made me think that yesterday's pecan was a dream.It seems that the snow is being chased by the wind so that it can be rushed, rather than being piled up, and is being carried around without staying.The lodge, where the fireplace went down, was slowly losing its warmth.
By the time breakfast was finished, the first romance in front of Wadagoya started operation.Wadagoya Enjoy several fast tracks that only guests can enjoy.The first high-speed quad was shut down due to strong winds, and we had to hike the course from the end of the first lift to the trailhead.Hike in the windswept slope for about 1 minutes and head for the backcountry area from the trailhead.
"The hike on the slopes has no taste."
One of the parties tweeted.That may be true.
Due to the stormy weather, there are few people entering the mountain.Yesterday's track has been completely reset.In other words, the guide who goes to the front makes a way by rushing the whole process.Depending on the terrain, it seems that there are places where it is a path for the wind, and walking stops due to a strong crosswind.It's a much slower pace than yesterday, but I'm slowly and firmly stepping on the snow.It takes about 2 hours to climb.Arrived at the same Nakaone peak as yesterday.
The wind is still strong, but not unbearable.This year's My Wear seems to be in good shape and I don't feel that cold, but the mineral water I took out of my backpack began to freeze in the blink of an eye.It seems to be colder than it feels.
The scenery I looked at while taking a break looked completely different from yesterday.Yesterday, she was so clear that I could see the Sea of Japan far away, and she showed me a gentle face.Today, it's a harsh face that seems to be swallowed immediately if you're not careful, as it's a rough killing.
However, both expressions are beautiful.
Previously, I didn't know the people who climbed the mountain in the midwinter.
But now I feel like I can understand a little.
Hike down the middle ridge a little and put on the board.
Slide down one by one on the large south-facing slopes where the winds exchange.
Fine-grained snow blown by the wind.
Note rack open burn.
Make a big turn on the slope.
The speed is faster than I imagined, and my body seems to be delayed.
Step on the forefoot a little and send out the tail.
I felt like I saw a big spray at the edge of my field of vision.
Where the party slipped down
"Do you guys see the wind change?"
Said the guide, Mr. Nagai.
"The wind that was winding the whorl until a while ago is now blowing in the same direction, isn't it?"
I see, that's true.
"This means that the low and high pressures have completely switched. It was the boundary line a while ago. The low pressure and the high pressure of the downdraft where the updraft occurs, and when the airflow mixes between them, a streak wind occurs. am"
You can read the change in atmospheric pressure in the sky under the wind conditions.This is also one of the knowledge to enter the backcountry.How to make use of this knowledge may be an area in the future.
Even if you hear the story on your desk at school, it probably won't be remembered.
But perhaps in the future, I will never forget this story I just heard.
I would like to conclude by telling you what I felt after the two days of backcountry camp.
Backcountry is not straightforward.I had various experiences that I couldn't write here.I felt various things that I couldn't write here.
Perhaps I wouldn't be in the backcountry without a guide at this stage.That's because I felt that my skill and inexperience were intimidating.
I think the threshold for backcountry is getting lower these days.But that's just what people can support.Entering the backcountry without support requires equipment, knowledge, experience, and preparedness. I think the word "self-responsibility" is a good word to use only when they are all together.
I don't want you to dismiss the half-finished actions of equipment, knowledge, experience, and preparedness with a single word of "self-responsibility" even if you make a mistake.
Guided camps like this one are a step towards getting them.Even if you are far away, you can always get closer by taking step by step.
text: Mr.
photo & movie: Mr. & Jose
◆ TRIFORCE ◆
A mountain guide service based in Minami Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture.
From backcountry beginners to advanced players looking for a maniac line, our experienced guides will make everyone happy and safe, to the special "mountain".
