備忘録がてら、今の雨飾山の様子を少し。

例年通り、露天風呂の駐車場先でゲートは閉鎖。「積雪のため車両進入不可」とあるけれど、今年はその“積雪”が少し様子違い。いつもならこのゲートから雪を踏んでシール歩行になるのだけれど、今年はすっかりアスファルトが顔を出している。キャンプ場までは所々に雪の名残がある程度で、今回は電動アシスト自転車で往復。

キャンプ場から先、登山道入口まではまだ雪がつながっていて、木道上での踏み抜きに少し気を遣う。登山道はいつも通りの急登だけれど、登り切るあたりまでは雪がほぼ消えていて土の道。その先、荒菅沢に向かうと、ようやくしっかり雪の世界に戻る。木に付いた赤丸やベンガラを辿りながら、静かに奥へ。

今回はBCクロカンの軽やかな装い。ザックを置いて、身軽に登って、するりと滑る。この感じがやっぱり好きだ。いい雪のところだけを拾いながら、リズムよく動いていく。ブナの巨木の間を縫うように滑る時間は、ほどよい緊張と心地よさが混じり合う。

ふと見上げると、ブナはもう芽吹きの始まり。あと一週間もすれば一気に景色が変わりそうだ。雪の白に芽鱗のオレンジ、そして頭上には淡い若緑。そんな中を自由に動けることに、ヒールフリースキーをやっていてよかったなぁ、としみじみ思う。

足早なここの春ではあるけれど、まだまだ十分にありがたいコンディション。様子を見ながら、また足を運ぶことになりそうだ。露天風呂のあたりでは、すでにブナの新緑が全開。もりもりとした若葉の生命力に圧倒される。

帰路、遠望できる白馬乗鞍岳の斜面が夕陽にぎらついていた。あれは絶対フィルムクラストだよなぁ……と。んー。

追記：写真は熊対策グッズ。熊スプレーとクマ除けホーン。前々日に熊に遭った！というお客さんの話を聞き装備。自分でも過剰だなー・・と。熊向け、というよりも単に自分向けのお守りの意味合多し。

A quick note for my recordsーhere’s how Mt. Amakazari looks right now.

As usual, the gate is closed just past the open-air bath parking area, with a sign saying “No vehicle access due to snow.” But this year, that “snow” feels a bit different. Normally I’d step onto snow and start skinning from the gate, but now the asphalt is completely exposed. Up to the campground, only a few patches of snow remain, so this time, I went back and forth on an e-assist bike.

From the campground to the trailhead, the snow still connects, and you have to watch for postholing on the boardwalk. The trail begins with its usual steep climb, but up to the top of that section, the snow is mostly gone, leaving bare ground. Beyond that, heading toward Arasugawa, you’re finally back in solid snow. I followed the red circles and bengara markings on the trees, moving quietly deeper in.

This time I went with a light NNNBC setup. Dropped the pack, climbed light, then slid down smoothly. I really do love this styleーpicking off the best snow, moving in a good rhythm. Skiing through the giant beech trees has that perfect mix of tension and ease.

Looking up, the beech trees have already begun to bud. In about a week, the scenery will probably change all at once. White snow, orange bud scales, and above, that soft fresh green. Being able to move freely through that space on free heels-it really hits me how glad I am to ski this way.

Spring feels like it’s moving fast this year, but the conditions are still plenty to be grateful for. I’ll probably keep coming back while I can. Around the open-air bath area, the beech trees are already in full fresh green, bursting with life.

On the way back, I could see the slopes of Mt. Hakuba Norikura in the distance, glinting in the evening sun. That had to be film crust… hmm.

Postscript: The photo shows my bear-safety gear?a bear spray and a deterrent horn. I’d heard from someone who ran into a bear just a couple of days earlier, so I geared up. In hindsight, it might’ve been a bit over the top. Less for the bears, more like a personal charm for my own peace of mind.