by glen on October 13, 2010
The seasonal Autumn colors have been great this year but as always it is a challenge to be in the right place at the right time – I guess that’s the crux of photography in a way.
The type of trees, altitude, the direction of the slope the trees are on and a bunch of factors combine to stagger the autumn show in way that is very difficult to predict. One thing that isn’t hard to predict in autumn is where other photographers will be.
The average age for retirement in Japan is 60 and a very popular hobby for retirees is photography. Lot’s of cashed up retiree photographers kitted out with serious gear can be found at popular spots around Niseko such as Shinsen Numa.
Last week I got up early to hike in there before dawn, after driving out there from Hirafu and then huffing and puffing my way along the short 10 min hike carrying way too much gear as usual I made it into the marshland and was met by a group of at least about 30 retiree photographers with the same idea!
This produced a sinking feeling in me and thought – I’m not special after all! As I was looking at the ground contemplating this fact I noticed that there was a decent layer of ice on everything and it dawned on me that winter isn’t far off – my first frost for the 2010/11 season.
This thought buoyed my spirits momentarily and I got into the rough and tumble of jostling for position with the retiree’s in an attempt to capture that quintessential autumn shot but I couldn’t hack the pace, lost my nerve and retreated. Getting off the beaten track later in the day i hiked up Weiss with a friend
After living in the Niseko Hirafu area for a long time I’d never hiked around Weiss and it was great to see the area from a different perspective.
The north face of Annupuri and Iwaonupuri looked pretty spectacular and we didn’t see another soul!!
Tagged as:
hiking,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
niseko,
panorama,
Photography,
Weiss
by glen on October 5, 2010
Local luminaries The Hirafu Football Club had their final boot around Sunsports last Sunday. At the end of the round robin comp Team Niseko Powder Connection emerged as the Hirafu 5-a-side champions for 2010.
Ferocious defense and a lack of referee helped to ensure the win no doubt.
A presentation was held at Paddy McGinty’s where the jovial lads and lasses patted each other on the back – More pics over here.
Tagged as:
cultural,
Hirafu,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
niseko,
people,
Photography,
soccer
by glen on October 4, 2010
October has arrived in Hirafu and the first few days welcomed us with amazing weather – clear skies, comfortable temperatures and beautiful autumn colors.
For this post I’d like to show people that may have visited Niseko in winter what the scenery looks like in the green months, and for those of you yet to visit, offer a glimpse of what it’s like.
I jumped on Hirafu summer gondola which is set up on the Ace Quad Lift #2 center 4 – above the Alpen Hotel
Great being able to get shots from inside the gondola because in winter the windows are usually frozen.
From the top of this lift there are a couple hiking courses, one to Kagami Numa (Mirrior Lake) in the Hanazono area and one trail to the peak of Mt Annupuri weaving up the Hirafu ski field.
I took a few panoramas on my way up but this one at the top of the Ace Pair Lift #4 worked out really well.
Here is a winter version taken close by.
Continuing up to the peak wasn’t that hard, and as usual we met a 60+ hiker on the trail. Once at the peak the view was sweet and I got a few interesting zoom shots:
Kagami Numa
Hanazono 308
Hirafu Village
The mountains west towards the Sea of Japan looked interesting. I hope to hike around there before too long.
Tagged as:
hiking,
Hirafu,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
niseko,
panorama,
Photography
