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.
I am an educator, adventurer and storyteller from Colorado’s Western Slope. I embody over two decades of professional experience, expert technical skills and hard-earned wilderness wisdom. I am one of the preeminent adventure guides, backcountry instructors and outdoor educators based in the American West. I specialize in training elite teams and pushing experienced leaders to excel in challenging and austere environments while maximizing logistical efficiencies, tactical advantage and strategic excellence.
I am Deputy Director of Silverton Avalanche School, the nation’s oldest avy ed program. I am a professional member of the American Avalanche Association(A3), veteran Course Leader, Instructor and former national trainer for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education. I am a volunteer trustee on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the San Juans and I am the Habit Watch Advocate for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers in the San Juan National Forest.
I pursued my formal education at Prescott College, Fort Lewis College and Harvard University. I've completed PTW 1 & 2 with A3, AIARE Level Three, Instructor and Course Leader training and AMGA TRSM and Ski Guide courses. Since receiving my BA in Adventure Education in 1999, I've worked as a rock, mountain, splitboard and river guide, professional ski patroller, avalanche educator, wilderness medicine trainer, SAR technician and collegiate faculty member.
I’ve embraced a decades long career as a professional mountain guide, affiliating myself with a select cadre of the best outfitters in the nation. I annually lead ski mountaineering adventures, off-piste alpine tours, split-board missions, high altitude expeditions, hut trips, backcountry climbs, skills and safety clinics, both domestically and abroad.
As a sno pro, I facilitate all levels of avalanche education in the United States. In addition to teaching recreationalists and professionals, I design and lead seminars and certification courses for search and rescue, tactical, industrial, mining, transportation, military and law enforcement groups. A longtime backcountry athlete, I enjoy representing, conducting product research, testing and designing clothing, gear and equipment for a myriad of manufacturers and sponsors. I continue contracting out as a safety officer, rigger, medic and logistician for action sports media projects and remote film and TV productions.
When I'm not in the field, I can be found producing digital art; utilizing writing, photography, audio and video pieces to share my story and the stories of others.
.png){kind=icon}
