この時期に白馬へ来たのなら、やっぱり「急斜面」か「新緑スキー」かの二択でしょうか？
そんな話をMさんとしながら急斜面を選択、白馬大雪渓方面へと。

猿倉までは電動アシスト自転車でアクセスです。そこから馬尻までは約1時間の歩き。途中の長走沢にも、その次の沢にも角柱の橋が架けられており、白馬山案内人組合の仕事に感謝なり。登山道の露出もかなり増え、この時期らしい歩きやすさになってまいりました。そしてこの部分は長靴LOVE♪

さて、そんな今日の道具立てはプラブーツのセットアップ。普段使っているライトなスキーセットに比べると、体感で倍くらい重く感じます。でもヒリヒリするような急斜面を楽しむにはやはりプラブーツなのですよ。

いつもの絶景「ステップソウルフルポイント」まで無事到着。ザックを置き、身軽な状態で一本滑ります。いいですねー。ここでのんびり遊んでいても最高なのですが、「今日は早く帰って一杯やろう！」案が浮上してしまい、そんなわけでそそくさと下山の開始です。

帰りは急斜面のロングラン。
「身体が悲鳴を上げても、そこで止まろうとしないでね。そこからが伸びしろですからね。」
そんな優しさだけのアドバイスを送り、一方でMさん真に受ける。いやぁー、よくやりましたね、ほんと。。

無事に下山した我々の合言葉は、
「VIVA プラブーツ！」
たまにはこういうスキーもしなくてはいけません。

そして明日は新緑スキーへと続きます・・。

If you come to Hakuba at this time of year, it really feels like there are only two choices: steep skiing or fresh-green spring skiing.
Talking about that with M-san, we chose the steep option and headed toward the Hakuba Daisekkei area.

We accessed Sarukura by electric-assist bicycle, then walked about an hour to Bajiri. Bridges made from square timber had been installed over Nagashirisawa and the next creek as well ? many thanks to the Hakuba Mountain Guides Association for their work. More and more of the hiking trail is now exposed, making travel much easier in this classic late-spring season. And for this kind of approach, rubber boots are LOVE♪

As for today’s setup, we went with plastic boots. Compared with my usual lightweight ski setup, they feel about twice as heavy. But when it comes to enjoying those thrilling, nerve-tingling steep slopes, plastic boots are still the answer.

We safely arrived at the usual spectacular “Step Soulful Point.” Leaving our packs behind, we dropped in for a light and free run. Ahh, so good. We could easily have spent the whole day playing around there, but then the idea of “Let’s get back early and have a drink!” came up, so we quickly began our descent.

The way back was a long run down steep terrain.
“Even when your body starts screaming, don’t stop there. That’s where the real room for growth begins.”
I offered M-san that wonderfully gentle piece of advice… and meanwhile he actually took it seriously. Honestly, he did really well.

After safely making it back down, our shared slogan became:
“VIVA Plastic Boots!”

Sometimes you just have to do this kind of skiing.
And tomorrow, the fresh-green spring skiing continues...