JAPAN POWDER 2016

Hakkaido Japan Backcountry ski trip Jan 15-30 2016

Jan 15 - Untapped Hostel in Sapporo

Jan 16 - Drive Sapporo to Niseko to stay in pink round house, lunch in Hirafu

Jan 17 - Ski in Niseko area, Gisiki onset afterwards nearby. Skinned up to peak and saw natural onsen

Jan 18 -  Yotei Volcano tried to summit but storm came in, high winds and had to turn around, sushi dinner in Kutchan that night.

Jan 19 - Gisiki onsen ski behind the building and moved to the area we skied the first day. Udon dinner in Kutchan in this lovely ladies little home/restaurant one cook and tried traditional meals

Jan 20 - Rusutsu Mtn resort 4hr day pass, lots of great fresh pow in tree runs. Seafood sushi dinner in Kutchan and then Ramen dinner :)

Jan 21 - Shirabitsu*** - best run of life, last run down the open face, great tree runs, beautiful view of Yotei, ski out at sunset, just amazing. Ate at restaurant in Rusutsu all you can eat and cook yourself Lamb dinner with kegs on the table.

Jan 22 - Drive from Pink house in Niseko to Sounkyo (9hrs driving in a snowstorm) stayed at Hotel Taisetsu in a traditional royacan overlooking national park mtns with rooftop onsen and buffet style meals. Ice sculpture festival

Jan 23 - Skin up to peak of Kurodake, rope tow down for maintenance. Long day, beautiful scenery, windy at top. ice sculptures, fireworks, onsen, buffet dinner

Jan 24 - Drive from Sounkyo to Asahidake - stay in long cabin in Daisetsuzan National park. Take one ride up gondola, see steaming volcano, sunset tour and rundown. Delicious home cooked meals at the long cabin.

Jan 25 - drive 1.5hrs ski Tokachidake - expansive terrain, parked at upper parking lot near onsen/hostel, tour, bootback and found an area to lap a few runs. COLD. Red onsen (full of iron), Icebar party at La Vista hotel down the road in national park

Jan 26 - Lazy morning, half day at Asahidake mtn with gondola assist. Very mellow terrain.

Jan 27 - Drive to Tokachidake***** parked at lower parking lot, amazing pow, tree runs, 500m vertical, ski through gully, open areas, unreal. visited outdoor missed onsen

Jan 28 - Tokachidake**** AMAZING :)

Jan 29 - Drive Asahidake to Sapporo, yummy ramen lunch, shopping, karaoke, big night at A life

Jan 30 - Fly home to Canada

WEST COAST TRAIL ADVENTURE

west coast of Vancouver island June 29-July 3 2015
SLUG life forever: Kira (fairypants), Terry (bearbum), Liam (bad breath) , Camille (rasharm)

Campsites (5 nights)

1. Darling River 14km
2. Tsusiat Falls 25km
3. Cribs Creek 42km
4. Cullite Creek 58km
5. Thrasher Cove 70km

Day 1
leave on bus at 0645 to Bamfield arrive at 1300
1500 leave Bamfield and hike to campsite Darling River 2000
 - whales, lg bald eagle, hammock hang and fire on beach

Day 2
1120 Darling River hike to Tsusiat Falls 1600
 - whales, eagles, swim in the falls, beach fire

Day 3
1020 Tsusiat Falls hike to Cribs Creek 1940
 - found whale bones, beach fire, Ninat crossing on little ferry, crabshack ate salmon and halibut

Day 4
1045 Cribs Creek hike to Cullite Creek 2030
 - stop to swim at Walbran, big ladders, lighthouse, beautiful day, stop for Burgers at Chez Moniques, boys lost rum in the ocean and found, gorgeous sunset, beach fire

Day 5
1235 Cullite Creek hike to Thrasher cove 2100
 - stop to swim at Camper Creek, went Owen point route when tide was low enough, lots of bouldering, beach fire, last night

Day 6
Eary? Thrasher cove to Ferry end of trip. Went to local pub for pitchers of beer and more seafood before catching bus back to Victoria

Amazing Amazing Trip!