Archive for the 'Hakuba Backcountry' Category

Evergreen girls go out for Backcountry

Published by dubmaster dave on February 22, 2012 under Evergreen Staff, General, Hakuba Backcountry

Riku and Hiromi challenges to their first backcountry outing on a super sunny day.

Guide and photos by Bill Glude.

Hiromi-san goes for an opening in the trees on the second run.

Riku-san rips the powder racer-style on her first-ever backcountry day.

Off-Piste photo

Published by evergreen on February 14, 2012 under General, Hakuba Backcountry

Photo by Bill Glude

Another beautiful day out there yesterday with fresh snow and bluebird skies. Kevin Krein got some nice powder while out guiding one of Evergreen’s Off-Piste Tours – photo courtesy of Bill Glude. Check out our Off-Piste Tours to get some of the action yourself!

Super Windy Today!!

Published by evergreen on February 12, 2012 under Evergreen Outdoor Center / Snowsports School, General, Hakuba Backcountry

Wind was the signature event of the day on the Happo ridges. Rapid and heavy loading from wind-transported snow Is stressing the faceted melt form weak layer from last Tuesday's rain and subsequent cold weather - Bill Glude.

Recent rapid loading from wind transported and new snow and from skiers has produced at least four large slab avalanches in the Hakuba backcountry in the last two days, like this one on Shirouma. Take extra care with terrain choices and travel procedures; stick to small terrain and low-consequence slopes. - Bill Glude

 

 

Lots of Snow!

Published by evergreen on February 10, 2012 under General, Hakuba Backcountry

We found nice powder skiing today off-piste at Cortina. The rain crust is faceting and weakening, but with no windslab or too-heavy loading, today’s conditions allowed us to ski most slopes. Photo by Bill Glude

 

Monday’s rain soaked the upper snow pack below 2000 metres and has since frozen with recent cold temperatures. At higher elevations, however, there is only a thin melt / freeze crust that is breakable and there is the possibility that this layer could propagate across open bowls and tight chutes. The new snow that has accumulated is increasingly unstable and will be prone to loose snow avalanches as the new snow continues to fall today and through the week. Stay to supported terrain at Tree Line and Below Tree Line, while travel in the Alpine is not recommended.

Snow is forecasted to continue falling today and through the week. All new snow will now be over riding the rain crust formed Monday night and can be expected to be unstable. Be careful of terrain traps that may be potential hazards of deep burial even with small loose snow avalanches.

Remember that recent load will continue to mean that the persistent faceted melt form crust of January 22 may still cause problems especially in the alpine above 2000 metres.

Play safe out there as the depth of new snow increases and always where your beacon when riding off piste and in te backcountry.

AVALANCHE HAZARD:
ALPINE: HIGH
TREE LINE: HIGH
BELOW TREE LINE: CONSIDERABLE

Guide Kaeriyama 帰山さん

Published by evergreen on February 10, 2012 under General, Hakuba Backcountry

 

Evergreen Guide Kaeriyama-san Mitsu finds good snow in the Hakuba backcountry today. This week’s thaw crust is continuing to facet and weaken; we were very careful to ride only smaller, low-consequence terrain today and to avoid wind-loaded areas. With care, there is excellent snow to be found.

Comment & Photo by Bill Glude.

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