Wet Dreams in the Hida Mountains, Japan: Shirouma Central Couloir

Zach Paley |
Shirouma Central starts beneath the large cliff off the summit. It snakes down the center and out of view. Photo Zach Paley.

The day after the northeast face of Shiroumadake promised for optimal weather. We decided it was a good time for round two. Burning the candle at both ends with these early starts and long days, I couldn’t help but allow ‘Brown Girl in the Ring’ to creep into my head while walking in the dark. Sunrise couldn’t have come soon enough.

The sun did a sufficient job broiling the easterly facing central line down Shiroumadake, making it prime for corn turns. Wind kept things firm and interesting for the top few meters, but once in the line, it rode quite smoothly. Corn gave way to buttery turns as snow significantly softened down low. We worked our way down and out the way we came, and for the second day in a row we found ourselves gazing back up at the peaks while enjoying some well earned crappy Japanese beer.

A much needed sunrise for the team. Left to right, Zach Paley, Matthias Weichselbaumer, Lee Lyon. Photo Zach Paley.
On the up. Skier Lee Lyon. Photo Zach Paley.
More Sunrise. Photo Zach Paley.

 

Up and up. Lee Lyon and Matthias Weichselbaumer. Photo Zach Paley.
Skier Lee Lyon. Photo Zach Paley.
Skier Lee Lyon. Photo Zach Paley.
The photo guy gets to make turns, too. Skier Zach Paley. Snowboarder Matthias Weichselbaumer. Photo Lee Lyon.

 


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