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Hakuba and Japanese Alps

It was a long journey from the north island of Hokaido to Hakuba Nagano on the south island, home of the 1998 Olympics. The day started early in the morning with a two hour drive to the airport where I almost missed my 2 hour flight to Tokyo. Then I took the train from Narita airport to Tokyo station where I found the shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano and then somehow found my bus to Hakuba. Kato san was there to pick me up and bring me to my luxurious Japanese style hotel room, what a change from cramming into a small apartment with a bunch of stinky ski bums. The traditional dinner feast was fully enjoyed and then an onsen to finish up the exhausting day. We woke up early to a bluebird day and I was immediately awed by the spectacular Japan alps looming pink with the first rays of sunrise. We rode the Gondola almost to tree line where we started our long day of touring and baking in the hot sun. The day became raging hot quickly and I was soon sweating in just my long underwear top. I couldn’t take my eyes and imagination off the epic looking Alaska style mountains with endless dreamlike ski lines all over. Due to the extreme hot temps and sun the snow turned to cement and was challenging to ski but it was fun to just be out in such beautiful mountains on a sunny day with random Japanese telemark skiers. We ended the day with yet another great meal and some beers at a local restaurant. They had me try some strange Japanese food, like fish sperm, bird something that tasted like undeveloped bone, and stingray. Enjoy these photos from the Japanese Alps!!

Traditional room. A bed is then laid on the floor to sleep on.

Some rad mountains for sure.

Now thats a nice line!

I couldnt stop dream about skiing this. Am in Alaska?

I took many shots of this line.

Ken Slashing it like a wave!

So stoked after a slushy face plant, in true tele style.

One more angle for ya!