Exploring Shimamaki, Japan

**SUPERIOR** · 01-07-2015, 12:32 AM

Here's a photo TR from the Hokkaido Backcountry Club.

I'm working with the HBC crew on a documentary, and we're exploring coastal mountains near the village of Shimamaki.

This area of southeast Hokkaido is located on the Sea of Japan, and gets very few visitors.

HBC is working to develop snowcat-accessed ski touring here, using cats to get into terrain typically accessed only in the springtime.

The cat drive takes about 45 minutes up a broad valley and across many small creeks.

We skinned and skied the 1,400 meter east peak of Mt. Kariba (Kariba-yama) on Monday.

Besides a few Japanese snowmobilers, almost nobody goes here.

The valleys full of birch and beech trees are massive.

On a sunny day, you can check out the coast.

**Mike Pow** · 01-07-2015, 02:41 AM

Great area.

Played there last Spring

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ight=hokkaidoh

**SUPERIOR** · 01-07-2015, 06:07 PM

Here's an update with FLICKR photos.

**ropeducker** · 02-03-2019, 06:34 AM

Updating a long dormant TR and putting my 2 cents worth for a very cool spot to ski. We rode there this past week and it was pretty epic.

**Gunder** · 02-03-2019, 10:36 PM

I had some great skiing there. Was not stoked on them hauling 20+ jerry cans of fuel in the cat cabin with us on the way up. Good thing none of us smoked.