The combed peak of Takatsuma stands out as a beautiful steep face across the valley from Mitahara and Hiuchi. Its ridge continues around to the slightly lower Ototsuma, presenting a range of north facing lines of consistently nice pitch and snow quality. I had gazed at these mountains for years, and finally found the right day and partner to make it happen.
The approach is relatively long, with a skin out a forestry road from Togakushi, before climbing to a low point between Saru-yama and Gojizou-yama. From there a traversing line is skied down to below the main climb itself. Most of the climb lines look fine, and the easiest option is probably to wrap around and climb the bowl system below Ototsuma. A skin track was in place up the beautiful thin ridge to the lookers right of Takatsuma however, and after some minor deliberation we started climbing. Conditions were ideal, and it was a relatively simple trip to the top. It does steepen out a little near the summit, and I imagine in some conditions this part would be tricky.
We skinned around to below the Ototsuma summit, where I stashed my skies and continued on foot for the last 100m. I was still getting comfortable on skies at this point, but probably would have been fine from the top (although it adds little to the line). We skied a beautiful sheltered gully down, finding nice slightly set powder all the way down to the flats.There is a wide range of lines to choose from, and easily manageable terrain.
It was a long trip back to the car, but after finally ticking off this long standing goal it was a happy one. A triple treat of iced-coffee, waffle cone and fried chicken was the reward.
Great report!
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