Kamui Shiri Dake

FEBRUARY 4th, 2007

KAMUI SHIRI DAKE

Today was a day out with the "hard core old timers" hiking group in Asahikawa. They're a group of very active 40-60 somethings who are weekend warriors, regardless of the challenge or the weather. Some of my trips with them the past 3 years have been up Tomuraushi Dake, Asahidake, SandanYama, Tokachi Dake, Yotei Zan, and today we were slated to go up a lesser "hill", Kamui Shiri Dake.

The group was HUGE today, 17 in all I think. I was the only foreigner again, but its good practice for Japanese. Its also good practice for my second hand smoking, since most puff on 3 dollar packs of Lucky Strike at any break or slowdown. The hike up wasnt bad, only about 2 hours (less). I hiked near the back with the other snowshoers, Yokota-san and Yamaguchi-san.. It seems the 3 of us end up hiking together whether its summer or winter.

Once we reached the summit (I think it was a paltry 600m), we all set to work on a massive bench/long table for the lunch break. Its almost comical how much food they always bring, as well as sake and beers. Today though the other 'younger' guy An-chan invited me to do some avalanche tests for practice. We dug a few snow pits and it seemed not bad, as far as stability goes. Anchan, myself, and 3 others boarded down that back valley, foregoing on the lunch. There were a few decent turns there, then we had to hike back. I went ahead then stopped, thinking they could easily see my prints in the deep snow on a clear day like today. But it took awhile before Anchan showed. While we waited for the group, he hid his avalanche transceiver and then yelled "go!" so I could perform a few mock searches with my own. I was pretty lucky today and had them out in 30s or less.

Just as we were about to reap the benefits of our climb up in the nice untouched powder, the roar of 10 snowmobiles overtook us and in an instant they were next to us, as we strapped in preparing to go. Without even a nod, bow, hello, or anything, they tore off ruining our one powder line that we had HIKED up! Poor etiquette... as they had been flying around the other mountain sides all day (we could hear it, noise pollution). There was plenty of snow for them, but they decided to shred ours up without a hint of concern.

The ride down then was less than thrilling, but not bad. Our mini groups stubborn leader, the Keebler Elf, took us down too far and almost got us lost by following those same snowmobilers tracks. Thankfully we turned back when we did...and then I saw the proper trail after about 25 minutes of hiking.

Afterwards a nice long onsen, then over to the house for some beers and photo exchanges..