This year's Mt. Tateyama looks more amazing than usual. The heavy snowfall of the 22nd season will definitely have a positive effect on Mt. Tateyama in the spring. Every year from early to mid-April, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which was closed due to snow, is fully opened. Murododaira's famous snow wall "Yuki Otani", which is a tourist attraction in spring, is likely to exceed 20 meters this year. This is a report on the spring of Tateyama, Japan's leading backcountry spot on the 3,000m-class slope, along with the guided tour "K2 Tateyama Tengu Classic" held last season.
Photo/Takahiro Nakanishi, Editorial department Interview cooperation/K2 Japan
To BC specialty tour "Tengu Classic" by K2
Murodo-daira, the starting point of Mt. Tateyama, is just halfway along the Kurobe Alpine Route, which connects Ogizawa and Toyama in Nagano Prefecture. Altitude is 2450m. It is an extraordinary space that can be reached using buses, cable cars, ropeways, etc. From here, you can get a panoramic view of famous 3000m-class peaks such as Mt. Oyama, Mt. Mt. Jodo and Mt. Kunimi are right in front of you. Kunimi-dake, which rises in front of the terminal, is a mountain with an altitude of 2620m.
This time, I joined the Tateyama Tengu Classic Tour sponsored by K2. This is a famous tour where K2/BCA's contract guides Mr. Jun Horie, Mr. Iwao Saeki, and Mr. Kazuya Igarashi will escort you to the best route of Tateyama.
Tour from Murododaira to Mt. Kunimi and Mt. Tengu
On this day, Mr. Horie led a short tour from Mt. Kunimi to Mt. Tengu. From Murododaira, use stickers and snowshoes to hike on gentle slopes. You can reach the summit of Mt. Kunimi in about 30 minutes. These two mountains have no roads in the summer, and the peaks can only be reached during the snowy season.
The north face of Mt. Kunimi receives a particularly large amount of snow even within Tateyama. From the top, aim for a vast slope on the northwest face. The weather was fine on this day, but the temperature was low, and skiing was well done on the tight granulated snow.
Slide to the middle of Mt. Kunimi and aim for Mt. Tengu (2521m) on the left from here. Climbing a ridge like a knife ridge without a seal from the traverse, hiking while looking at the scenery under the cliff and the distant view is tense but fun. Mt. Dainichi and Mt. Oku-dainichi on the left, and Mt. Oyama to Mt. Bess on the right, and the imposing Mt.
From the summit of Mt. Tengu, there is a steep slope of a horizontal single barn. Below you can see the Tateyama Toll Road, which winds its way through the snowfield, and Tengudaira Sanso, the slip-in point. The slope is too big to feel the slope, but it seems to be 30 degrees, and the altitude difference is about 200m. Because of the west-facing line, the snow loosens moderately, and the splendid granulated grain rises. It's a long run where you can really feel Tateyama.
A Variety of Tateyama Skiing Routes
Tateyama has a wide range of skiing points. In addition to Mt. Kunimi mentioned above, various lines extend from the tops along the ridgelines, including Mt. Murodo, Mt. Jodo, Mt. Oyama, Mt. Ryuo, Mt. Masago, and Mt. Betsu. There are many courses available, including classic routes such as Yamazaki Cirque, Oosashiri, Raichozawa, Ozendani, Oyamadani, and Tambodaira.
Climb everything with your own feet and slide as much as you climb. Most of the 3,000m-class snowy mountains are covered by trees, making visibility difficult and dangerous in bad weather. However, if the weather is fine like this day, you can enjoy the impressive scenery and skiing.
In addition, Tateyama at this time of year can still enjoy light fresh snow after the snowfall, and if the conditions are right, such as in the morning when the weather is sunny and the temperature is low, you can even ski on the finest film crust. Film crust is a situation in which a thin layer of ice, like glass, is spread over snow and reflects the sun brightly. When you slide your skis in there, you can hear a crisp sound, and every time you step on it, you feel an indescribable feeling on the soles of your feet.
Tateyama is a place where you can enjoy various snow qualities under various weather conditions for a long period from early April to June. There are difficult conditions to enjoy while securing visibility, but there are a tremendous variety of slides.
From Ichinokoshi to Onidake at an altitude of 2750m
While there are various variations of the route, the next tour is a steep route that slides from the summit of Mt. Onidake to Misandani. The guide was Mr. Jun Horie again. It is a tough route that requires a steep climb to Mt.
From Murodo-daira to the ridgeline called Ichinokoshi, it takes about 1 hour on a gentle slope. From there, it takes about an hour and a half to ski and climb to Mt. Onidake. The weather is sunny and the temperature is getting higher and higher. The spring sunshine is relentless. Even if you know that you can ski as much as you climb, 3000m class high altitude hike is pretty tough.
After arriving at the ridgeline col, it was finally lunch time. The bento made at Tengudaira Sanso is perfect with plenty of ingredients, good taste and appearance, and no juice leakage. Eating food under the blue sky is exceptional.
The purpose is skiing, but the scenery alone is enough. After taking a break, it's time to head to the highlight of Mt. Onidake. Near the top, remove the seal and climb the rock surface with your feet. Ryuou-dake is on the left, and Miyamadani is below. I came here on a slope with a slope, and the gas started to hit me. This is also Tateyama.
Drop down the steep slopes from the top of Mt. Onidake one by one. Compared to the granulated granules on Mt. Tengu, the snow is a little more watery and heavy, but the slopes are steep, so the speed is great and it feels good. Following the Horie guide, Goudai Sakamoto, a guest who accompanied him, showed a huge turn at speed and was applauded by the participants. It is an exhilarating one that slides in the middle of nature as it descends towards a large stream called Miyamadani.
When everyone gathers at the regroup point, we climb back up the valley again from here. I can only hear my own breathing in the quiet spring valley. Hiking up in this great outdoors is also a “hard and fun” experience.
Tour starting from Tengudaira Sanso
Tengudaira Sanso, which is the base of the K2 Tengu Classic Tour, is located about five minutes by car from Murododaira on the Toyama side. A tour unique to this mountain lodge is Tenguyama skiing without hiking.
Tour participants traverse Mt. Tengu from behind the inn. Then, a large slope appears toward Tateyama Road. There is a route that does not require a hike, sliding from the middle of Mt. Tengu to the Tateyama Road where the bus runs. After sliding down, use the route bus to return to the lodge. On this day, we took a piston transfer with a dedicated van for the tour. 2 here at the beginning of the morning skiing. Tateyama doesn't start without walking, and this is easy and feels good.
Even if the weather is bad, there is a chance to ski if you start from Tengudaira. Tenguyama, which rises behind the mountain lodge, can be imagined in a situation where visibility is poor if you simply stand at the top with acupuncture feet, seals, or snowshoe hikes and slide around the top. This 3-day tour was hit by rain with such poor visibility, but those who wished to do so were enthusiastic and hiked up steep slopes for 20 minutes. It was short, but by the time I reached the top, my sunglasses were cloudy, my face was wet, and my heart was pounding.
Looking back at the slope I climbed after catching my breath, I couldn't even see 30 meters ahead of me, let alone the mountain lodge. A steep slope with rain over 30 degrees. Ski while being conscious of the line where visibility is poor and small cracks are lurking. With a sense of urgency, carefully slide down the slopes that you would avoid if you were self-driving. It's a big difference from skiing on granite, but it was also a valuable tour experience that made me feel Mt. Tateyama.
Backcountry things you can learn by participating in tours
The "K2 Tengu Classic Tour" is held every year after Golden Week in May. The tour will be managed by Jun Horie, Iwao Saeki, and Kazuya Igarashi, contract advisors of K2 and BCA (Backcountry Access). With these guides who know everything about Tateyama as guides, you can fully enjoy Tateyama spring skiing for 3 days and 2 nights.
A three-day basic schedule, including backcountry tours, workshops, and events, is organized. Morning and evening guided meetings are held.
By paying attention to the guide's movements and occasionally listening to their stories, the tour is a great opportunity to understand the meaning of route selection and learn how to climb while experiencing the know-how.
At Tengu Classic, lecture workshops are also held by guides. It's not a formal lecture, but mainly about backcountry experiences and how to use gear and accessories. The instructors for this lecture were Mr. Akio Shintani of the Niseko Avalanche Research Institute, who was a guest and a Saeki guide.
Also, on an overnight tour, there are many chances to talk with everyone, and the atmosphere makes it easy for the guide and other participants to ask questions and give advice. For example, there is no end to topics such as equipment, situational judgment, and what to care about when skating. One of the good things about this kind of tour is that it brings together participants with the same aspirations, so even those who meet for the first time can easily get to know each other and have deep conversations.
Backcountry know-how taught by professionals on this tour
Enjoy your trip
“Tengudaira Sanso , which is located about 5 minutes down the Toyama side from Murododaira via Yuki Otani . As you can see, the meal is so luxurious that you wouldn't expect it to be in a 3,000m-class mountain lodge (pictured). Of course, there is also a bath, so you can relax and heal the sweat and fatigue from a day's hiking.
"4th K2/BCA Tateyama Tengu Classic 2022"
This "K2 Tengu Classic Tour" is scheduled to be held from May 14 to 16 in 2022. Bookings for tours have already started. The conditions must be perfect with plenty of snow this year. Please check the tour details.
❖ K2 JAPAN Official HP NEWS/INFORMATION
Spring skiing in Tateyama is a valuable experience where you can fully enjoy the charm of Tateyama, meet new friends, and enjoy skiing BC together. In addition to this K2 tour, various guided tours are planned during the spring season in Tateyama. I strongly recommend the BC experience in Tateyama.
Photo: Takahiro Nakanishi Report: STEEP Editorial Department Interview: May 14-16, 2021