| Blog Home |

§32. Pioneers. (2)

Niseko rule that advanced Niseko
Mayor of Niseko snowslide accident prevention meeting Niseko snowslide investigation here and there
ARAYA AKIO

新谷暁男さん_MG_9265.JPGのサムネール画像
 I was born in Sapporo in 1947. I was charmed at the age of high
school student by mountain climbing. Of course, at university, I
belonged to the mountaineering club. At first I climbed the mountains
of Hokkaido such as Mt. of the cold winter period Tokachi Taisetsu,
mountain traversing of Shiretoko mountain range, Mt. Rishiri
thoroughly. I stayed in Nepal as agriculture investigator after
graduation at university for three years. At that time, I settled
design of Himalayas mountain climbing and prepared for mountain
climbing. And, for life, I opened Lodge Woodpeckers in Moiwa skiing
area (Niseko) in 1975.

 I repeated expeditions from the late 1970s to Pakistan, the
Himalayas and China. I acted as Captain in mountain-climbing party of
Chamlang peak (7,380m above sea level) in the Himalayas of Nepalese
side in 1986. By mountain climbing of Aconcagua peak (Argentina, 6,980m
above sea level) of Miura Yuichiro, I of support corps acted as Captain
afterwards.

 And it was opportunity to have met founder Yvon Chouinard of
Patagonia company at the mid-1980s, and I began sea kayaking. I ran the
whole course of Shakotan, Shiretoko, Chishima, Aleutian, South American
Beagle Channel and Horn cape by sea kayaking. I do work (sea kayaking
guide) of the sea in summer and do work of mountain in winter. Such a
life pattern began.

 In Shiretoko, I put argument on many people over regulation of
open-air fire at the shore, and I did experience to maintain
appropriate method and manner of open-air fire. In Shiretoko, person
dies without open-air fire. We considered how we should do to build a
fire without giving damage to nature. I suggested result of the
examination to administration and affiliate.

 I came to Hirafu since the days of junior high student. It is about
time when lift just started a business. However, I did not use lift. I
enjoyed mountain traversing to reach from top, Goshiki hot spring, Moiwa
Konbu hot spring from 1,000m plateau.

 By the way, I talk about establishment of “Niseko rule” about
snowslide accident. This rule is official rule made in 2001 for
security of people running on the outside of skiing area management
area and all skiing area users. Group engaged in establishment of this
rule is “Niseko An’nupuri district snowslide accident prevention
measures meeting “, “Niseko skiing area security use measures
communication meeting”, “Niseko Free Passport meeting “and preventive
measures against “Shiribeshi district mountains accidents meeting”.

 When ski accident happened in mountain from 25 years ago, I was
called for conduct of search. In backcountry of Niseko at that time,
most snowslide accidents were taking place in Japan. It caused victim
caused by snowslide every year. I thought that I wanted to prevent
accident caused by snowslide somehow. And, based on data, I thought
that I wanted to warn when and where snowslide was at increased risk
for being generated.

 I knew that snowslide was caused by my experience right after
snowstorm was settled in the middle of Snowstorm. It might seem
unexpectedly, but data showed it, too. At first I wanted to convey this
definitely. And I suggested some following matters. Border rope is
provided with some gates, and patrol being placed there. What the
situation of mountain is sent to on the Internet every day. Patrol
reconfirm people leaving outside slope from gate. And of course warn of
Aria whom you must never enter at all by danger. Inform help expense
that you should bear when accident happens by any chance.

 For forecast of snowslide, it is necessary to announce information
of temperature and Wind of the mountaintop precisely. Therefore Niseko
snowslide accident prevention meeting is made, and Niseko snowslide
investigation place is thereby had jurisdiction over. Investigation
place announces weather data and snowslide forecast in Japanese and
English on the Internet every day at the appointed hour.

 However, lift company and administration opposed making rule to go
outside slope at first. This is because it will allow to go outside
slope when it makes rule. Even if there is accident, nobody gets
responsibility. Such an opinion will be proper thought for manager. But
accident continued happening practically. Big charm to go to the world
of Niseko can slip in fresh snow raining steadily freely. I continued
talks with Shiribeshi forest management station that was manager of
national forest.

 Reality that there were people to want to glide in backcountry with
one’s risk at relatively early time was recognized in Hirafu. Because
there was merit in business, it was thought whether means to keep their
security was necessary. We asked tour guides who belonged to
association of Niseko Winter Guide (NWGA) to obey Niseko rule. We
explained to rash youths particularly carefully. Selfish action of only
one causes result to take freedom of all the members. Many people
understood, “there was rule to keep freedom” in this way.

 For ten years, the authorities ratified our way after all. The
result “is current Niseko rule”. It took ten years to come to here. But
I think that the process in itself is our property. We did not obey
instructions of authority and government office, and we made rule
voluntarily and obeyed the rule.

 I think that splendor of Niseko is not yet handed down to person
enough. For foreigner, the splendor still less comes. And, by our wisdom
and effort, I am convinced that Niseko becomes more splendid.