Wax the snowboard, tighten your trucks it sounds like we need to go ride the snowfield on Fuji and skate whatever of the road is snow/slick free.

Golden Week will be good as far as getting free from work but Fuji will be busy.

My guess is that we could have a good group going on this. Typically we can do it for around 2 man each from Tokyo. Got tolls, park fees and gas to cover.

Small possibility that Flashy Flash will show up from Sweden for the event. Any takers....

brah, what is the exact plan for the snowboarding part ?
-it's long way to the top if you wanna rock'n roll

2man, 3man, 5man, I'm down for the whole Fuji experience!

Hopefully we can reach the top in a brisk 4 hour hike?

can't wait...

Just heard from Racer X and he is in. Juddo? Laser?

Also should think about dates over the next few weeks. Thinking we leave in the morning get into the park and plan on spending the night inside. As long as we don't set up camp too early it will be all right.

Flash seems like a long way to come for this event but you'd be welcome to spend some time with the Evangelist family out in Nagano.

Definetly in. Looks like Border has enough dough to pick up my tab as well. Any skate plans this weekend?

L

Whats up everyone, this is Lou from PA. I am definitely down for some longboarding on Fuji during golden week. The sooner I know the specifics the better because I live outside of Osaka right now. I will keep checking for updates. Later on.

I just realized you meant the money amount of *man* not the amount of ppl *man*...

Yeah, I am definately in...

Damn, Border, I thought you would be our benefactor. I had you down for 5man and the rest of us around 1...

So let's start thinking about the dates. Golden Week this year falls over the first week of May. The official Holidays during the week are May 3,4,5 but many people will take 4/29-5/7 off.

What we don't want is to do this over the weekend of the 29/30 or we can count on insane traffic. Sometime the following week will be the money chance.

As an arbitrary suggestion how about May 2-3?

OK thinking we need to start firming this up if it is going to happen.

I spoke with Racer X this morning and he is less certain about going. This means we just need to sort out how to get back up if we can skate much of the road. Even 12k is a long walk back.

If X is out, it means the trip is basically closed with me, Laser, Border and Lou from PA. My car only seats four comfortably.

Also can maybe sort out a place to stay if we get the dates together in advance.

The date I am off are;

April 29 to May 7th.

Yeah, an exact date ASAP would be a huge help for me since I have to book a bus to Tokyo very soon. As of two days ago there were seats left, and I think monday is the latest I can wait.

Also if everyone wanted to split acomadations that would be fine by me, otherwise I have to decide on that as well. Any suggestions on cheap places to stay (quality is not an issue)? I can take off any days around golden week that works for everyone else since I am a student right now.

I really do need to know by monday to have any chance of getting a bus so if someone could give me the day we will try the descent then I can book transportation. This should be great if everything works out, skate on bro's.

OK fellas - Based on all the information I have let's settle on May 1st and 2nd the Monday and Tuesday of Golden week. That gives people the weekend to get organized or up to Tokyo as in Lou's case. We can come back either Tuesday night or Wed morning depending on what people want to do.

We can leave Tokyo sometime before lunch and get up to Fuji Area Monday and skate some that afternoon/night. Tuesday will be the big day for snowboarding.

The skating gear is a bit more casual so bring what you want but bring a helmet so we don't have to scrap the trip taking somebody to the ER. The snowboarding is backcountry/alpine style.

Just so everyone knows what to expect-

You'll need a pretty good clothing set-up with moisture wicking base layers, various middle layers for warmth and an outer wind/water protection layer like a goretex jacket and pants. Hat and mitts a must along with goggles. Gaiters could also be really helpful.

The conditions could be really nice spring sliding in the heavy wet snow in the sunshine but could also be bad with clouds and intermittent snow or rain. Obviously if it is just miserable weather we'll bail but we could get stuck in bad weather unintentionally.

In addition, a backpack to carry your board, spare clothes, a couple of jugs of water, and snacks and lunch will be a neccessity. Work on your board carry system before we get to the mountain so that everything can go smoothly at the trailhead.

After that, there are some different options regarding whether you just hike in your snowboard
boots or carry them in. I usually go with the first option because my boots are decent enough for walking.

As for the departure location - it kind of depends on who is really in at the end. Right now, I think it is me, Laser, Border, Lou, Chris, and possibly Brad. Let's settle that first and then firm up the final logistics.

Sounds good to me, I will book on monday. What about places to stay? Is anyone interested in spliting the cost of a room?

As far as the snowboarding I will be out since I do not have any snowboard gear in Japan right now, and am working on a limited budget.

Is the helmet an absolute must for this trip? I do not own one not do I particularly want to. Not to sound like a hardass or anything, but I don't know if I could even skate properly with one on. I never saw it as an issue since I ride a hybrid board that can carve and wash speed under most any conditions (here is a few shots of my hybrid http://www.flowboard.com/rider%20submissions-Pages/Image287.html ).

Also should we have equally heavy clothing for the skate portion of the trip or was the above gear mostly aimed at snowboarding?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LouDawgPH,

The altitude and conditions are completely different. The heavy stuff you'll need for the snow. Think of that as an alpine zone hike with your board along for the decent.

I usually get by with a sweatshirt or two and a longsleeve T for the skate. We are never far from the car on this one so no big deal. The only question is how much traffic will be there on Golden Week and what the road conditions are like. I saw Fuji this morning and it still looks very snowy.