Morals and Manners in the Snowy Mountains【from Akaigawa】

This was submitted in 2015. Many issues have come up recently and will be up-dated soon!

【日本語版はこちら】
The season is now in its midpoint, and we hope everyone is enjoying their backcountry life. However, there have been a number of accidents and troubles in the Akaigawa area recently. These are not only caused by inexperience, but also by carelessness of experienced people, and also by deliberate actions of filming crews, especially those from overseas.

 We, as guides, have been making efforts to educate people about mountain behavior and etiquette in order to prevent accidents and troubles, but due to the selfish behavior of some skiers and snowboarders, the trust that has been steadily built with local people, ski resorts, police, fire departments, etc., is now being compromised. In some places, measures have been taken to limit mountain entry and increase off-limit areas. It is not that backcountry skiing is risky, but rather that going into the mountains without thinking and without preparation naturally increases the risk. In particular, I hope that inexperienced people, leaders/guides who invite their friends into the backcountry, and people attending to film crews from overseas will be aware of the current situation and take the lead in educating people about it.

 Hokkaido is a big island but the backcountry community is small, and it would be great if we could build a world-class backcountry culture in Hokkaido with the awareness that we all share the slopes in popular areas! So, here are some of the issues that have been bothering me lately. You may be unknowingly guilty of them. Please read them carefully and understand them as a common understanding among the locals who go into the mountains.

To those who access the ski area from Kiroro ski resort and enter the Backcountry 

Recently there has been an increase in off-piste accidents and rescue calls, including those who go through the ropes after lift access. In case of Kiroro ski resort, the 5 main approach points are: 1) behind Nagamine, 2) Yoichi dake area from the gondola station and Asari No.2A, 3) 1218 area from Yoichi lift No.2 start point, 4) 1107 and AK Face area from the Kiroro Peak parking lot, and 5) Back Piano from the Kiroro Grand. Aside from 2) and 3) (Yoichi dake to west ridge direction), which are hiked from the base, the following points should be noted when entering the mountain from the Nagamine and parking lot approaches. Nagamine: Do not enter the back of the mountain by traversing to the right from the middle of the course! While it is the easiest approach in this area, accidents frequently occur when people unknowingly follow the traces. Remember that when the ski resort patrol is dispatched to search for you, no matter how big or small, the cost will be in the hundreds of thousands to millions of yen. Avoid traversing in as much as possible, not only on Nagamine. 1107, Back Piano: Parking lots at ski resorts and hotels are for customers. Many park their cars without any permission and do not pay for lifts or facilities. Remember, they are allowed to use them as a courtesy of Kiroro. Please use the restaurant and other charged services. Please DO NOT relieve yourself in the parking lot, and also avoid parking during busy weekends. If you access the course early in the morning, stay out of the way of the groomers. To those who go off-piste through ropes: Most Kiroro patrols are very considerate of powder lovers. People use the terms “self-responsibility”and “at your own risk” a lot, but looking at the equipment (the lack of) of those who are actually going through the ropes, they will certainly ask for help if they fall into a creek hole or get lost. Recently, there are a lot of unruly powder junkies who ski under the lifts screaming with delight while breaking the rule and disrespecting the locals. Self-responsibility and taking actions at your own risk means being aware of possible risks and being able to self-rescue and self-sufficient in the event of any accidents. Be responsible not only for yourself, but for the traces you create, the people who end up following it. Be conscious that your irresponsible actions may be putting others at harm. 

Backcountry registration
Although it does not mean that accidents and mishaps will be eliminated by submitting this form, and of course it is not obligatory, please consider it as the minimum etiquette for entering the mountains, whether for guided tours, general climbing, or filming. Especially in the snow-covered mountains, plans often change at the last minute, so we recommend that you send an email to the nearest police regional office right before departure. Last week, there was another report of an avalanche accident in the Shiribetsu-dake area, and the police called me, who was entering the same area of the mountain, to confirm the accident. There were several other parties that had entered the mountain that day, but we were the only ones who had submitted a backcountry registration. Even if you are among friends, you should have a leader and at least know the point of entry to the mountain, the plan of action, and the names and emergency contact information of those accompanying you. This information will be useful in case of emergency, and it is also the responsibility of those who go into the mountains. In the event of a winter mountain disaster, the initial search is the most important. If you would like to know how to register, please contact me directly.


Restricted areas and parking problems 

This season, with the influx of international filming crews, problems stemming from filming in restricted areas and illegal parking are recurring in many places. If you want to take a road shot, you should not go to a busy national highway or a place where the road collapses directly onto the road, but rather, you should go to a place where there is little traffic and no direct impact on the road to avoid being seen. In Hokkaido, snow removal work on both public and private roads is a top priority. Road end points,turn around spaces and roadside lay-by/pull-off are reserved for snow removal crews and they have right of way at all time. Relieving yourself in these areas is out of the question, but please refrain from parking during blizzards and snowfalls, and reduce the number of vehicles by car pooling. The Hokkaido Guide Association is currently working to increase/create parking spaces near popular areas. Take extra care, to ensure that these activities are not disrupted by unnecessary problems. Those who arrange overseas film crews should attend to them with the attitude that they should spend their resources to show respect and develop rapport, way more than on beer. I don't care if they are top riders or famous production companies, but please respect the locals first, and THEN enjoy the powder. 

Hike lines and traverses
This depends on the conditions, so it is hard to say, but on weekends when the snow is good, many people enter the mountain at once in search of powder at popular points. Some are experts, some are beginners, some are guided tours, some are individuals, some are friends, etc. Anyway, there are a lot of people of different levels and different objective slopes who come to the mountain. In such a case, be very careful about the hiking and descending lines so that as many people as possible can enjoy themselves! That gentle slope you are jigging is also a great slope for beginners. The traverse line that you slid down for an easy climb back up may be the one that others are going to ski down. To help more people enjoy the world's best powder without stress and put a smile on their faces, it may be important for each and every one of us to be considerate of others!

This is a business update from Akaigawa. Well then, everyone, please continue to operate safely and have a happy powder life!