"Tateyama in November"

When you hear about snow falling on Mt. Tateyama, backcountry and powder lovers can't help but get excited.
Here we introduce the work of two photographers who continue to capture Mt. Tateyama in November.

Along with the photos, Suganuma Hiroshi writes about his thoughts on his late friend, the late Masakazu Watanabe, and the charms of the area.
The first half of the article is about Watanabe's work, and the second half is about Suganuma's work. Get yourself in the mood for the approaching season.

Photography: Masakazu Watanabe, Hiroshi Suganuma

Mount Tateyama in November and photographer Masakazu Watanabe

When I was still a beginner, many senior photographers would come to Tateyama in November to take photos for ski manufacturers and ski magazines, and the place was a place I longed for, but even if I wanted to go, it was too intimidating for me.

The intimidating older guys were like, "There's no place for you to take photos even if you come here," and it seemed like all the famous photographers had pretty much set locations for their shoots, and they had their own territory, so to speak. (I've never been there at the time, so this is just what I heard.) I certainly didn't have the nerve to invade that territory, so when I saw the published photos, I just let my imagination run wild.

Someday I too

Meanwhile, I heard that my fellow student Masakazu Watanabe, who was my age and with whom I worked part-time as a student, had teamed up with top skier Toshihiro Umiwa and started going to Mt. Tateyama, weaving their way through the turf of his more experienced skiers to take photos. I remember feeling envious and jealous at the time, and strongly thinking, "I'll do it someday."

Looking at Masakazu's work, I was overwhelmed by the meticulous use of light and sense of depth, the beauty of the Tateyama landscape, and the beauty of Kaiwa's skiing that blended into it. I felt both depressed and encouraged by the distance behind Masakazu, who was 500 or 1000 steps ahead of me as a ski photographer.

And to Mt. Tateyama

After that, the global bubble ended, the ski bubble ended, and my predecessors stopped taking photos of Mt. Tateyama in November.It was in the late 1990s, when things had calmed down, that I went to Mt. Tateyama for the first time.

At the time, our filming style was to camp in tents on the snow. However, the weather forecast predicted that a low pressure system would pass through. We headed up the mountain with a naive feeling that we would be able to manage somehow, but we were suddenly hit by a strong wind and blizzard that prevented us from even taking one step outside Murodo Terminal, forcing us to change from camping in tents to staying at Hotel Tateyama. After spending two elegant days, the snow continued to fall, but the wind died down, so we decided to move to camping in tents, even though we were reluctant to leave the comfort of the hotel. We also didn't have the money to stay in a hotel anymore (lol). The snow still wasn't stopping, so at night, the filming crew took turns clearing the snow around the tents, each for an hour.

What would happen if I woke up in the morning completely worn out? A high pressure had suddenly enveloped me overnight, and it was a beautiful sunny day. There I was greeted with a view of Mt. Tateyama that was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. I was truly moved by the mountain I had always admired. I have never forgotten that feeling, and have continued to visit Mt. Tateyama every November ever since. (Unfortunately, I haven't been there in the last three years due to a lack of snow.)

The attractions and risks of Mt. Tateyama

For me, the appeal of Mt. Tateyama in November is not only the beauty of the scenery, but also the fact that there are still vestiges of autumn, and after the snow brought by low pressure, a mobile high pressure system brings clear skies at a rapid pace, making for ideal conditions for photography. Also, it's relatively easy to get into the mountain by changing public transport, and you can access the mountains in all directions, so you can ski in great conditions. And then there's the sadness of knowing the mountain closes at the end of November.

But this isn't a ski resort, it's a mountain area, so the weather conditions are harsh. When I first started going, there were only about five people skiing on Mt. Tateyama in November, but now it's become so popular that there are traffic jams on weekend hikes. This has also led to an increase in accidents, and unfortunately, many people losing their lives. I've lost friends to avalanches myself. I've been stuck in a sudden whiteout, and I've also helped evacuate injured people.

If you plan to ski at Mt. Tateyama in November, you need to have the right knowledge and equipment. Joining a guided tour is one way to ensure your safety, and I think it's a good idea.

This work expresses the contrast between light and shadow, and although it was fine at the time, the slope is now a no-go zone.

A sunset ride with a spectacular lineup including Kodama Takeshi and Sasaki Daisuke.

This photo was taken on Mt. Tateyama in a year when there was a lack of snow, and I searched for a slope where snow seemed to have accumulated.The spray rising up has a beautiful expression, like an approaching dragon.

Kono Kenji is a friend with whom I have shared many good times at Tateyama.

This work expresses the beauty of Mt. Tateyama and the stylishness of telemark skiing.

Anyone who skis will understand that it's a comfortable experience.

Thoughts on Mt. Tateyama

My favorite view of Mt. Tateyama is
the beauty of the squid fishing lights lining the horizon off the coast of Toyama Bay on a crisp, cold, clear night.

The season when the Tateyama mountain range shines with light is upon us again this year, just as always. However, Masakazu Watanabe, who was always at Tateyama in November and whom I would occasionally meet on the mountain, passed away 10 years ago in a freak accident while filming, and it is sad that I can no longer meet him.

Text: Hiroshi Suganuma

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