Off to the snow!

Giphsub

Well I'm off to Nagano in the Japanese Alps today. Gonna be gone for two weeks, so won't be on here for a while. Will get lots of snowboarding in, and hopefully the odd bit of shooting. I might try and get back to the snow monkeys up that way again. So I might have some new pics of the little fellas in the hot springs to post once I'm back. Merry Christmas to everyone. Hope you all have an enjoyable break! Here are a few from last year when I went to Nagano.

Snow rabbit tracks (taken on my mobile phone)


A couple of the mountains




And a couple of the snow monkeys

raptorcaptor

Like the last one best mike! Must have been quite a fun trip!

Maestro

Gorgeous moutainscapes and I love that last pic!

Giphsub

Thanks Stephen and Glenn.

Yep, it was a fun trip. We have done it every year for the last 4 years. This will be the 5th and last for a while. See you all in 2 weeks!

leaforte

I saw a PBS special about these monkeys, hanging in the winter, in the hot springs. If I remember right, the problem is, the pools aren't natural, or something, and the monkeys don't want to leave. Would you? But it means their survival.? Is that right? It was a while back I saw it.

Happy riding! Keep it steep and deep!!!

jwear

this looks like fun --next to last for me

schmoo

Mike, wow! Those are beautiful mountains with beautiful light and... snow monkeys? Are they enjoying the hot springs?

Enjoy your trip!

Harryb

Outstanding shots Mike but way too much snow.

bfjr

very nice looking, different and I likem all

Enjoy your time there

BigAl

Harryb wrote:

Outstanding shots Mike but way too much snow.

The third last one seems to be saying "Now what am I doing here?"

dallas

Well these images bring out the envy, no matter how much I want to suppress the feeling. Excellent.

Giphsub

leaforte wrote:

I saw a PBS special about these monkeys, hanging in the winter, in the hot springs. If I remember right, the problem is, the pools aren't natural, or something, and the monkeys don't want to leave. Would you? But it means their survival.? Is that right? It was a while back I saw it.

Happy riding! Keep it steep and deep!!!

Hey thanks for looking. I haven&t had a chance to ride yet cos my stomach has been playing up :cry But we already went to the monkeys, which was bloody good I don&t think their survival or anything is at stake. That species of monkey is common throughout Japan. The springs they come to sit in were originally meant for humans, but the monkeys came and took them over! The springs do bubble out naturally there, but people made little pools to sit in. Anyway, the locals figured it would be a good tourist attraction so they started feeding them daily. They go off to the mountains for the night, so I can&t really see where the problem might be. Anyway, it is amazing. I&ll post pics later when I am back home.

Giphsub

jwear wrote:

this looks like fun --next to last for me

Thanks Jeff. It is hilarious actually! The monkeys seem to be up for a bit of action almost by the minute.

Giphsub

schmoo wrote:

Mike, wow! Those are beautiful mountains with beautiful light and... snow monkeys? Are they enjoying the hot springs?

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks Schmoo! I will enjoy it once I get to go out and do some boarding! The monkeys are great, and boy do they enjoy the hot springs! They look just like old men sitting in there relaxing

Giphsub

Harryb wrote:

Outstanding shots Mike but way too much snow.

Thanks Harry. A warm weather soul then I take it?

Giphsub

bfjr wrote:

very nice looking, different and I likem all

Enjoy your time there

Thanks Benjamin. I will!:D

Giphsub

BigAl wrote:

The third last one seems to be saying "Now what am I doing here?"

Thanks BigAl. Nah, I think he was saying "Damn! This onsen is hot!"

Giphsub

dallas wrote:

Well these images bring out the envy, no matter how much I want to suppress the feeling. Excellent.

Hehe, I know the feeling all too well William!

kdog

Interesting series, and great scenery. Great exposures on those snowy mountains. Now I feel like going skiing and taking a hot tub.

Cheers,
-joel

Giphsub

Cheers Joel:D

And I just had an onsen (hot spring) Nothin better after a day on the hill!