Sugadaira 20-22.11.2013

DSCN0030 In the Petite Hotel Sonntag the rooms had no desk. DSCN0031 My room however had four beds. DSCN0094 Not so much a bathroom as a bath container, but it makes sense to put all the wet stuff in a plastic bin. DSCN0096 The lobby was eclectic,
DSCN0098 with lots of wildly different stuff everywhere! DSCN0097 While not a real espresso machine, this device made reasonable facsimiles 24/7 for free DSCN0100 There was a clear reference to Switzerland here DSCN0101 and old time photos of when skiing started in Japan
DSCN0102 The trajectory of skiing in Japan seems similar DSCN0103 to that in the USA. DSCN0037 Early morning in the dining room DSCN0039 I have no idea what these fruits are
DSCN0040 but they were part of this riotous arrangement DSCN0042 The smell of kerosene will forever be linked to Petite Hotel Sonntag DSCN0034 A new dusting of snow makes it look like Vermont DSCN0036 Some late autumn color caught by the rising sun
DSCN0043 We set out to explore the area. DSCN0044 Looking back toward one of the many ski hills DSCN0046 We started up a trail toward the highest peak in the area, Mt. Azumaya, 2300 m DSCN0047 The land had once been cleared but trees were coming back.
DSCN0048 The city of Nagano down in the valley KIMG0828 First stop, a gazebo DSCN0049 with a trail map DSCN0050 Rime frosted the trees
DSCN0051 More frozen cloud DSCN0052 It thickened higher up on the mountainside. DSCN0053 Bamboo is a big feature of Japanese forests DSCN0054 The snow eventually will cover it.
DSCN0055 The trail was amazingly treacherous and we went no further. DSCN0056 Looking back to Pine Beak Mtn DSCN0058 View to the south DSCN0060 So like New England!
DSCN0061 Ken Ueno's laser rain guage DSCN0062 A very instrumented field at the Sudagaira Lab DSCN0063 Ken checking on his device DSCN0064 We had lunch here, which celebrates an America thats long gone!
DSCN0065 Cabbage fields on the lower slopes of Pine Beak Mtn. DSCN0066 Birches along the ridge DSCN0067 Familiar looking forest DSCN0068 These are the highest local peaks (Mt. Azumaya) across the plateau
DSCN0069 Out to the NW, significantly larger, steeper mountains DSCN0070 The Asama volcano DSCN0071 Volcano and larches DSCN0072 Mt. Asama
DSCN0073 Looking across to the ski hills and peaks DSCN0074 More volcano DSCN0075 Ski Club cabane DSCN0076 I can't get enough of this volcano!
DSCN0077 The patterns on the cone DSCN0078 Open slopes DSCN0079 Slopes and branches DSCN0080 The forest to the NE
DSCN0081 Looking NW DSCN0082 Birches and ridges DSCN0083 Larch DSCN0084 I followed the ridge to the next summit, also a ski area
DSCN0085 Dense stands DSCN0086 The sun dropped lower as I came back to Pine Beak Mtn. DSCN0087 Shadows DSCN0088 Ravines
DSCN0089 Silhouettes DSCN0090 In the shade DSCN0091 Down the off the ridge on the service road. DSCN0092 Why not a last photo of Mt. Asama?
DSCN0093 Testing the snow making