I was surprised to see the date in the photo. May 2017, 5.To convey my feelings accurately, I should say "I remembered how to enjoy spring" rather than "surprised".One night and two days in Tateyama, which was the season out of last year. "I want to stay in a tent in the snowy mountains," and took a friend who called out to me, "Let's go see it even in the setting sun," and packed my luggage in a large backpack.
Buses, ropeways, cable cars, etc. can be reached up to an altitude of about 2,500 m on Tateyama.Beyond that, there are mountain lodges, hotels, and well-maintained tent areas, where tent discussions with friends and a perfect starry sky are one of the attractions of Tateyama.In this article, I will introduce the charm of Haruyama and the manners to be protected, along with the record of last year's Tateyama camp.
Text & Photo: Kazushige Fujita
To Tateyama.
For the past five years, I have been going to Tateyama on a regular basis in May and November.There are various hapnins, such as a year of riding in the moonlight with the best snow, fighting a leak in a tent, and being blown away by a storm, and my memories are endless.The most favorite moment of Tateyama is "sunset".The sea, rice fields, clouds, and snow surface shine with the setting sun over the Sea of Japan.There is a moment when I am glad I came here.
How to access Tateyama and points to note
There are two options for access to Tateyama, the Toyama side and the Nagano side, but since we live in Nagano, the access was from the Nagano side.When boarding a bus or cable car, it is essential to cover the edges of the snowboard, snowshoes, crampons, and other sharp objects, and each must be placed in a case.From the Nagano side, take a bus → cable car → ropeway → transfer to the bus and arrive at Murodo Terminal in about an hour and a half.You can walk across the Kurobe Dam along the way and see the Northern Alps from the ropeway.A large, heavy backpack is a baggage, but it's never been easier to reach an altitude of 1m than walking up.Please note that you should not forget to submit a mountain climbing report at Murodo Terminal.You can also learn about the nature of Tateyama and the ecology of grouse at the Nature Conservation Center in the terminal, which is my favorite spot to stop by every time.
* For more information on baggageKorachiWhat.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
A big snow wall when you step outside the terminal"Snow Corridor" Meet you.Travelers from China who see us impressed by the snow after a long absence.Snow itself seems to be rare for them, but we are also curious about the snowboards that appeared there.I had eyes as if I were looking at a panda in a zoo.
It is a XNUMX-XNUMX minute walk to Raichosawa, where the tent area where the base camp is set up.We decided to slip a little before going to the tent.Although the snow is not beautiful, the snow surface, which can be said to be a fantastic natural art created by the rain and wind, spreads out.On the turn after a long absence, I felt the wind and gravity and felt refreshed before heading to the tent area.
Check the rules and manners in Tateyama and set up a tent
First of all, the reception will be held at the administration building in the tent area, and you will be taught the rules and manners here.In a national park where toilets and water areas (disinfected spring water) are well managedThere are facilities (the toilet will be closed in November, so bring a portable toiletWill be required).By the way, there is no trash can, so you should bring your own trash and leftover food.It seems that some people ignore the rules and bury it in the snow and go home, but it is easy to imagine that it will come out as it is when the snow melts.Uneaten garbage seems to be a food for crows, which are natural enemies of grouse that inhabit Tateyama, which is a big problem.As long as you enter the mountains, you must remember to cherish nature and follow the rules.
Next is my turn.Give a brief lecture to a friend who is new to tents.Position the tent so that the entrance does not come upwind, make a flat with a shovel, and bury the pegs firmly in the snow to fix it.If there is a windy forecast, we will make more snow walls, but this time it is a mild climate for two days, so there are no walls.The friends seemed to practice setting up a tent at home, and the setup was smooth.After all preparation is important.
A day of troublesome weather where clouds flow and the blue sky can be seen and hidden.I was wondering where to go, but first I decided to go to a nearby area without clouds.When hiking up at high altitudes, you can breathe out when you start walking, but when you move your arms, your legs come forward.
When I went out to the ridge and took a break in about XNUMX to XNUMX minutes, I was covered with clouds flowing one after another, and I could not go any further.After all it is annoying weather. "I don't think it's going to get much better from here, and I can barely see the bottom, so let's go back to the base camp," he told his friends, and slid down in order so as not to lose sight of the person in front of him.Even though the visibility is poor, the spring shaba snow turns will relax your body.This kind of going back and forth is also the charm of the mountain.
The charm of the setting sun in Tateyama
When I was taking a break at the base camp, I saw the peak of Tateyama, which had been covered with clouds.The time is 15:40.It's less than 3 hours until sunset.There are 3 men's and 2 women's. "Would you like to aim for the time being?" I said. “………”.It was a bit of a mess, but "OK! Depart for the sunset! (Laughs)".I wanted to slip in the sunset of Tateyama.
From the middle, separate the teams for men and women and hike up the same path.There are no danger points along the way, and since they are not beginners in the snowy mountains, there is no big problem.Actions should always be in contact wirelessly.In the end, our men's team climbed straight up the steep slope and the last galley, and reached the summit before sunset.In the distance of the sea of clouds, you can see only Mt. Hurry up and attach the snowshoes to your backpack.The sky dyed red, the clouds dyed red, the snow dyed red.Time when everything is wrapped in red.I may have come here for this moment.
As you slide down the bright red mountain, you will naturally hear a sensation of exhilaration from the depths of your body. "Yeah!" "Four!" "Yaba!".There is no doubt that I am captivated by the throbbing of my heart at this moment and continue snowboarding.That moment when I become one with the earth and feel like the center of the world.I think snowboarding is one of the few tools to feel it.
Tateyama 2017 Spring Kazushige Fujita Riding
What you can get by standing in that place at that moment
I forgot my fatigue due to the high noise of my body and returned to the tent.The sun sets and the stars shine while we talk about today's memories.Boil water with a burner to make dinner.Wearing down and surrounding the snow desk, we talk about today's memories again.If you look up at the sky, you will see a perfect starry sky.Yes, I wanted to show everyone this moment.
Now that another world that is different from reality has been born on the Internet, the information you want to know may be available there.However, at that moment, the emotions and sensations that can be obtained by standing in that place cannot be obtained without using one's feet.If you have a place you admire, you have to go with that foot.You must listen to nature and follow your voice.The importance of seeing with your own eyes also opens new doors.
Finally.
There are many invisible dangers lurking in the backcountry.If you are inexperienced or inexperienced, be sure to work with a backcountry guide or an experienced person who is willing to take care of your life.Also, being alert is a great enemy just because you have experience.Backcountry in spring has different dangers than in winter, and there are various dangers such as heavy avalanches and rockfalls, slipping due to freezing, large cracks, and changes in conditions due to weather.However, you all know that danger is not everything.Have a great experience in the snowy mountains and do your best to get home safely with all your friends.By doing so, everyone should be able to open new doors and see the next path.
Kazushige Fujita
A snowboarder who conveys the charm of snowboarding to the world with a range of activities that do not fit in the frame and slip that is not bound by the pattern.This profile picture is in the style of the Nojuku style where I spent the night in Tateyama when shooting this article. "The starry sky was beautiful."That thing.
SPONSORS: Gentemstick, Billabong, Icetune, Abom, Lade, Karakoram, UN, P01, Wakelip's, Forestlog
Instagram: @forestlogd
