Fluffy powder snow and a fantastic monotone world where the entire field of vision is covered with snow . The backcountry, where one can experience the reality of winter with all five senses, is surely one of the most coveted destinations for skiers and snowboarders.
Daisuke Mizuma and Keisuke Yoshida of the Mountain Hardwear athlete team were among the first to venture into the backcountry before the season gets into full swing. Their destination was Dainichidake (大日岳), located at the western end of the Tateyama Mountain Range in the Japanese Alps.
Pro snowboarders Keisuke Yoshida (left) and Daisuke Mizuma (right).
Mountain Hardwear was established in California, U.S.A., in 1993. The concept that has remained unchanged since the company's founding is "to create high-quality, durable clothing and equipment that can be used in harsh mountain conditions above 8,000 meters.
Our first priority for all of our products is to be durable, reliable, and of high quality. To this end, we have conducted numerous product tests and developed products based on feedback from climbers, alpinists, and athletes active in a variety of mountain sports genres. Driven by the challenge of going beyond stereotypes, we continue to create tough products that can be trusted in the field.
Tateyama, a mountain range of 3,000-meter-high peaks, receives a lot of snowfall from the snow clouds flowing in from the Sea of Japan, and because of the surprisingly large amount of snowfall, the access route is closed from December to mid-April. Therefore, backcountry skiing in Tateyama can only be enjoyed for a short period of time between the snowfall and the closure.
Although bad weather forced a stall on the first day on the mountain, the following three days were marked by perfect conditions and the best powder sessions.
Unlike the slopes, the snow was not pressed at all, and the mountain was just as it was. Looking down at the silky smooth silver world stretching out before you, you can only see the spools that the two of you have painted, which add color to the blank canvas.
Of course, because you are facing nature, you are always facing danger. . Because of this, there are many moving scenes that cannot be experienced in everyday life.
After the backcountry trip to Tateyama, Mizuma said, "I was very happy to be able to go back to Tateyama.
The start of the snow season in Japan is Tateyama in the fall. . It was the first time for Keisuke and I to have a session in the alpine area where you can get a big line in the earliest season in Japan. We predicted the best conditions in our hometown, Tateyama, and set our sights on Dainichidake. Miraculous conditions made these two days a "BIG DAY" indeed.
. "There are still many places in Japan that I don't know about and I wanted to do a local trip. . This was my first time in Tateyama in the fall, and everything was fresh and new, with lifelines well maintained in a 360 degree alpine universe. The perfect set up by a local who knows Tateyama inside out, combined with the good snow conditions made for a great start to the season. It was a trip to know that the top quality of autumn in Japan is in Tateyama!
Mr. Yoshida spoke of the miracles he and Mr. Mizuma were able to accomplish during those few days.
These miraculous days were captured in a 5-minute 48-second video and broadcast to the world, a video that is well worth watching as it shows the lives of these two snowboarders and the beauty and reality of nature. It's a must-see.
Riders_Daisuke Mizuma & Keisuke Yoshida
Directed and Edited_Kiyomasa Kawasaki
Title Caligraphy_Hiloki Tanaka
Photography_Masatoshi Horiuchi
