Get Your Shoes on

As you can see from the pictures below the mountain's have begun to change color, we enjoyed the colors of autumn but to be honest I actually enjoy mountains more when they are glistening pure white. Of course this is a while away yet but we certainly have had our first taste of the white stuff. So I think Im all set for winter now but I've yet to actually purchase that pair of MSR snow shoes. I've been to a couple of stores here in Sapporo but still haven't tracked em down. My first experience with snow shoes was in fact in Niseko about ten years ago when mid winter we decided to hike the mighty Yotei Zan. Not owning any shoes at that stage we hit up the legendary Niseko Adventure Center or NAC where we were able to rent some shoes.  It was incredible how much difference snow shoes made. Below tree line we were able to comfortably trudge through the 50 or so centimeters of fresh pow and above tree line the crampon like device on the bottom of the shoes made hiking on the firm wind swept aspects possible and much safer. I don't know why its taken me 10 years to actually purchase a pair, maybe the decision has something to do with my powder covered surroundings here in Hokkaido and the lust to explore more of them. If your interested in accessing the backcountry by snow shoe and have little knowledge of the Niseko area or little knowledge of the backcountry in general check out NAC, they supplied a wealth of knowledge ten years ago and I'm sure can supply even more now. http://www.nac-web.com/win_e_index.htm