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POWDER & PEAKS- JAPAN 2020

We’ll begin and end this expedition visiting some lesser known sidecountry areas of Hokkaido. Expect to bookend the Rishiri mission with secret tours around Furano (and group dependent) a crack at Tokachidake. Our team’s main focus will be the remote and elusive Rishiri volcano. Working with my local partners at Stealth Backcountry allows us to hit the goods from the moment we land!

Floating the Volcano

Rishiri Island is a backcountry skiing haven with a huge variety of ski and snowboard terrain for those willing to earn their turns. Mount Rishiri is a dormant cone-shaped volcano at the center of the remote Rishiri Island. In the native Ainu language, “Rishiri” means “island with a high peak”, which pretty much sums it up! Others call Rishiri the “floating island”, possibly because you’ll gain a lot of pleasure from floating in the deep powder!

Skiing Rishiri Island is on the bucket list for many Japan backcountry skiing aficionados. Powder on Hokkaido is world renowned because of the abundant, light, fluffy, amazing cold smoke that results from the weather systems that blow down from Siberia. Compared to most Hokkaido ski areas, Rishiri Island is much further north (and closer) to Siberia so the powder there is even better than amazing!

And if devouring all that Japanese powder isn’t enough for you, there’s also an abundance of local seafood to satisfy your appetite. A Rishiri ski trip provides a delightfully unadulterated Japanese experience.

Where is Rishiri Island?

Rishiri Island (Rishiritō) is a small island in the Sea of Japan, about 20 kilometers off the northwest coast of Hokkaido. The Oshidomari Port on Rishiri Island can be accessed via ferry from Otaru or Wakkanai (Hokkaido’s northernmost town). Wakkanai is a 5.5 hour train trip from Sapporo.

Rishiri Terrain

Mount Rishiri has an elevation of 1,721 metres. Depending on weather conditions, the backcountry terrain we’ll access will include a combination of ATL alpine zones and NTL/BTL tree skiing. Mt Rishiri has many ridges, gullies, and bowls- some of which are super steep, and there are several peaks to tackle. BUT, there is also a reasonable amount of mellow terrain below treeline for us to explore.

We will utilize a snowmobile to cover the long and flat distances at the base of the mountain before committing to human-power. No worries if you’re not a seasoned sled-neck!

Rishiri Ski Season

In late winter and early spring there’s a greater chance for clear days, although the main, year-round weather inhibitor to summiting Mt Rishiri is the wind. Rishiri is renowned for its oft-gusty conditions! Our expedition will run from 2/22/20 to 3/1/20.

Stepping Out

Taking the Crown

Winning

“The series of storm events since [the] first part of February has made for one of the most intense 6 weeks of snow accumulation we have ever experienced. This has set up the high country for historic avalanches- 300-year event avalanches!” -Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, Silverton, CO. We’ve taken it on the chin a fair bit this season and this past week was no exception. After experiencing one of the largest and most destructive natural avalanche cycles ever recorde

Winning

And the Beat Goes On...

I had a sneaking suspicion this might happen. Those thoughts were confirmed Sunday morning: For those of you who are just hearing about the crazy times up on Red Mountain Pass, here's the most recent Durango Herald article and a link to the Silverton Avalanche School's Facebook Page. Visit these pages and check out the powerful pics and video footage from the historic avalanche action we've experienced this past week in the San Juans. So ColoRADo continues to experience on

And the Beat Goes On...

In Like A Lion...

March has come in like a lion and has kept most of us lambs from venturing out into the mountains. I write a lot about the unique, tenuous and often dangerous snow conditions found in the San Juan mountains. But this first week of March has proved truly historic- to the point of having me not really nowhere to begin. It's so sketch out there that reflecting and sharing my thoughts almost seems like too much of a gimmey. With Colorado making national news, cars being smoked da

In Like A Lion...

Born in the Backcountry

I'm fond of reminding folks that snowboarding is a sport born in the backcountry. When I started riding back in the winter of 1986-87, very few ski resorts allowed this burgeoning pursuit. I picked up the sport as a way to extend my love of skateboarding into the winter months. I can recall many times riding the church ski bus up north, only to be told at the lift ticket window that snowboarding was not allowed at this resort- So naturally, the golf courses and local sledd

Born in the Backcountry

Only An Instrument

“Whatever degree of skill a skier may possess, they should never forget that their skis are after all only an instrument, a means through which they can enjoy the winter in all it’s glory and ruggedness, can breath clean fresh air, can meet human beings in their true character, and can forget all the petty troubles which beset our so-called civilization. These are a few reasons why skiing is not merely a sport, it is a way of life.” - Otto Schniebs 1937

Only An Instrument

Avalanches Hit Colorado, One Skier Dead- KJCT Ackerman interview

By Megan McNeil | Posted: Mon 6:12 PM, Mar 04, 2019 GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO/KJCT)-- After two avalanches near I-70 Sunday, one blasting over the Interstate, road conditions improved on Monday. Sunday, however, three feet of snow covered I-70 for 100 feet. Dozens of crashes and road blockades stalled the interstate. Videos surfaced of cars driving when the avalanche hit the interstate."It's not unheard of, but it's rare to have an event like that happen," said Michael Acke

Avalanches Hit Colorado, One Skier Dead- KJCT Ackerman interview

February- A Robust Operational Tempo

Lately, I wish I had more energy to share my words.. I wish I had more time to fuel the creative inside. Lately, I’ve been up before the dawn, nursing cracked hands, a weathered face and a sore body. Wondering every morning where I am- a bed, a bunk, a paco on some living room floor? Lately, I’ve enjoyed my life. Hitting it so dam hard every day. How blessed am I to ski and climb and learn and love every day? February is now over- what a fucking blur! So much powder riding. S

February- A Robust Operational Tempo

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