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BackCountryDude
Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:50 am

Norikura
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Ooops sorry, this was intended for the Gifu section.

Anyhow, headed up to Mt Norikura last weekend for the first time to check out the rumours I'd heard about very late season skiing. To get to Norikura you have to take the bus from the Honokidaira bus stop, as privately driven vehicles are not allowed. 

We got to the top bus station, and the weather and view were just incredible. I hooked up with two skiers, and off we went on the hike to get into the main drop in point, which is at an elevation of around 2,700 metres. Suddenly, the weather became very bad, with no visibilty, but the two skiers kept on hiking. I went back for a coffee, about an hour later the weather cleared up, so I went back for my second attempt. Anyway, here are the photos.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/BackCountryDude/deathpass1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/BackCountryDude/jumpedinhere.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/BackCountryDude/fromthebottomup.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/BackCountryDude/secondrun.jpg

Some advice. Because the bus takes you up to about 2,700 meters, and the entry point is about 2,700 meters, and the idea basically being that you ski or snow board down, this poses the problem of getting back. Be prepared for a very long hard slog back. Make sure you have one of those packs that you can carry all of your gear on your back, so you can utilise both arms back for the haul back. There is a road at the bottom, but it is currently impassable. 

Be prepared for sudden changes in weather. Visibilty can be reduced to zero in a matter of minutes. 

Altogether, highly recomended for winter sports, hiking, nature viewing etc. If you go up, have fun and stay safe.

BCD
