STEEP has started reader reports, believing that what users have experienced themselves will be valuable information for others.
This time, we will deliver the first part.
What I experienced was "UPLND x OGASAKA Kagura Camp 2024". The reporter is Yoshi, who has been skiing for 20 years and is in his seventh season of backcountry skiing, and usually skis mainly in the Hokushin and Tohoku regions.
To “Kagura Mountain” for the first time in a while
Speaking of Kagura, it can be said to be a sacred place for backcountry access to the metropolitan area. For me, my backcountry debut was on Kagura in the 2018 season. As my background in the backcountry has grown, my range of activities has expanded, and recently I've only skied a little at Kagura Ski Resort for my first ski, but I've been away from it quite a bit.
This time, through a friend's introduction, I participated in a backcountry camp sponsored by a shop called "UPLND Kagura Camp (February 26-28, 2024)." I decided to go to Kagura Mountain for the first time in several years. I would like to report on the situation.
“UPLND×OGASAKA Kagura Camp 2024 ”?
First, let me explain what kind of camp "UPLND Kagura Camp" is. Sponsored by UPLND, a pro shop that has been running the Scandinavian brand Haglöfs since 2023, it is a luxurious ski camp with OGASAKA, Haglöfs, and guide Yamaki-X (Mr. Masahiro Yamaki, also known as Yamakix). .
Speaking of ski camping, when I was a university student, the standard for me was staying at an inn near a ski resort for two or three days and having fun skiing with friends, but this time it was a grown-up version of that. This is a camp for adults who have connections with their favorite backcountry guide clubs and shops they frequent and come together to enjoy Kagura's powder for two nights and three days with staff from each manufacturer.
Fun that can only be had on a shop tour
The fun thing about a shop tour is that you'll be accompanied by staff who are knowledgeable about the gear, and you'll be able to get all the latest information during the tour.
At this camp, after dinner, we introduced OGASAKA's backcountry/freeride skis, development trends of interest, Haglöfs introduced materials and next season's items, a try-on competition, and finally, participation. There were many entertainment elements that are not found on regular tours, such as special gifts.
What's more, the core of this tour is that photographer Hiroyuki Nakata will take photos of you skating during the tour. Every day, we have a professional photographer take pictures of our ski runs, and at night we all project them on a big screen, and Yamaki-X reviews each photo!
I now understand why the regulars were looking forward to this so much. Photos taken by professionals are just so cool! (lol).
On the first day, I participated in the tour without thinking about anything, but from the second day on, I started thinking about how I would look in the photo, and adjusted my backpack accessories and the way I held the poles so that I was photogenic! From the second day onwards, you'll start to look better, and the photos that will be reviewed at night will start to look better. This is how more and more ``highly conscious'' skiers who pay attention to their appearance will be born (lol).
Exquisite guidance that can be enjoyed by participants of a wide range of levels
From the perspective of a slope skier, backcountry tours seem very difficult. It's also extremely difficult to find a guided tour for beginners, and when you join, you may feel overwhelmed because there are so many experienced people.
In that respect, this camp, which focuses on beginners to intermediates, is perfect. Of course, there are many advanced skiers among the participants, but with Mr. Yamaki's exquisite guidance in selecting slopes, both beginners and advanced skiers will be able to enjoy a very satisfying run.
This time, during the three-day camp, the snow continued to fall for the last two days in perfect powder conditions, but thanks to the exquisite selection of slopes, one slope had a mellow line and the other a more advanced line, the levels varied. Everyone in the group was very satisfied.
As long as you have a certain level of skiing skills, anyone with any level of backcountry experience can be satisfied. Warm consideration and outstanding guiding know-how to meet the expectations of a wide variety of participants. I am very impressed and impressed by this, and I think this is the reason why I can recommend this camp especially to beginners in the backcountry.
Another benefit of a camp where professionals in the field gather
What is different from a regular guided tour is that there are many other participants besides the guide. This time, UPLND Kagura Camp was a gathering of professionals in the field, including Ogasaka Ski's development staff, Haglöfs' Japan staff, and UPLND's planning staff. Not only do they have deep insight into gear, but they also have deep knowledge about how to avoid equipment problems.
In fact, during this camp, my wife, who was also participating with us, had a problem with her favorite MSR pole freezing. Specifically, if the three-stage pole was used for two or three days in a row, it would freeze on cold days, making it very difficult to change modes. Until now, she had managed to survive the situation by keeping herself warm, but...
A staff member who witnessed the incident took time after dinner to solve the problem. First, when I disassembled the pole and looked at it in detail, I found water droplets here and there. This should freeze. In short, it has a structure that tends to result in insufficient drying.
However, it is not something that can be easily disassembled, so we will think about how to easily maintain it. Things like this happen because you spend time with professionals in the field. One of the charms of UPLND Kagura Camp is that you will encounter many such episodes.
Experience the fun of skating in a different environment
Spending three days at UPLND Kagura Camp this time, I discovered a different kind of learning and fun from the backcountry tours I usually spend with other members.
One thing I had expected to some extent was the variety and high quality of the guides' guiding styles. And the three days of time spent with the caring staff who try to liven up the camp as a whole are intense. It was far more than I could have imagined. Another thing is the warmth of all the participants. I thought many people would be hesitant because they would suddenly spend three days eating and sleeping with people they were meeting for the first time, but that was only the beginning. When people who share the same hobby of playing in the snow get together, they can open up in less than a day.
If the people around you change, the information you receive will change, and your plans for your next tour will also change. In fact, after hearing so much about the wonders of Mt. Yudono from people who participated in this tour, I decided to try Mt. Yudono myself in the spring. If you always go with a fixed guide or friends, if you love skiing but are not used to backcountry skiing, if you want a new motivation to ski, if UPLND Kagura Camp is held again next year, please come and join us. How about that?
REPORT :YOSHI (STEEP reader reporter)
A skier and diver who usually works in marketing in Tokyo and travels between an altitude of 3,000m and a depth of 30m. At first, I was just interested in skiing powder, but I became captivated by the mountain views and atmosphere I saw while hiking, as well as by traveling to local mountains, and I became even more obsessed with it, and seriously decided to set up a second base in the local area. I came up with this idea for a novice backcountry skier who is in his 7th season of backcountry skiing.
SPECIAL THANKS
Guide: Mr. Masahiro Yamaki
Support Staff UPLND Rider Mr. Ai Sato Mr.
RCT Japan Co., Ltd. Sales Mr. Miura
UPLND Mr. Shunsuke Murai Mr.
Ogasaka Ski Nagano Head Office Sales Mr.
Seki Photographer Mr. Hiroya Nakata