@@j.p.6228 thank you!

Yeah, spot on! I shoot projects with a DJI Mavic 3 Pro, Sony A7s III, GoPro Hero 11 Black, and just my Samsung Phone sometimes too.

Stoked that you're planning to head to Japan! The poles I use are Black Diamond Carbon Compactor 120 Z-Poles. Looks like there's a huge discount on them right now on black diamond's site where they're $80 instead of $200. www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/carbon-compactor-ski-poles/ so... lucky you!

@@TonyApfelbeck Thank you so much! Much appreciated

Hi Max, I went with an EvoTrip so our guides are Evo/Rhythm Japan employees. They were great and experienced but not just a solo guiding company as it's part of the whole travel package www.evo.com/adventure-travel/asia/japan/niseko-ski-snowboarding

I love my Powder Racer! It slays powder for sure but the positive camber also feels great on groomers.

@@TonyApfelbeck Positive camber is the ONLY way :) Im stoked you found a board good in powder with regular camber. I found the Telos Backslash with the same and its a joy to take everywhere. Would you recommend these resorts to go to?

@@coloradoruffneck4230 Yes, definitely! I am planning to go back as soon as I can. Japan is really special.

I’ve only ever gone out of the newbie gates in Niseko without any gear. Basically strawberry fields and one of the gates by the slopes in annapuri. Is there some sort of course of something you need to do before you can go out with the guides? I’ve never used avalanche equipment before… like do they teach you what to do and avoid?

Evo Trip, yes. Was in early February this year.

Yes, the vast majority of people just bootpack the peak. If you're doing lift-assisted backcountry access like we were, the only really good spot for skinning would be when heading back up the road that leads to the Hanazono boundary.

Winter is the most beautiful time in the mountains!

Oh yeah this spot is only about 15 min from the ski area. That would totally work.

Silver Springs is an excellent campground..one of our favorites, but its only open late May through mid September unfortunately.

This area is an open recreation area in the winter as far as I know. I believe it's popular for backcountry touring or snowmobiling. Can't guarantee the lookout will be but that would be beautiful.

@@TonyApfelbeck Oh okay. I am searching for any online resources to indicate if there are any blockages for this planned day trip this weekend.

www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/park-butte#hike-trailhead-and-map@@VeeTravels The Washington Trails Association site has a notice that there is a bridge that is removed seasonally so you may have a creek to cross and I'm not 100% sure if it would be under snow or not. The National Forest Service site says Forest Road 12 is closed to wheeled vehicles because a bridge is out at the moment so the normal drive in may not work. Typically you'd take FR12 to FR13. There might be another route around. www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mbs/home/?cid=stelprdb5126323&width=full . Hope that information helps a bit. It looks like it might be a bit of an adventure for you.

@@TonyApfelbeck Oh really? I am under the impression that this trail will not be possible with the bridge removed.

Yeah based on what I'm reading, I think you may be right. It seems like it's primarily accessed via snowmobile and there'd need to be a good amount of snow at low altitude to cover the forest road which we don't have yet this season.@@VeeTravels

Thanks, friend!

Thanks, Bonnie!

Hey Paul! The owner named it "River Run Lodge", I didn't spend too long scrolling to look for it on Airbnb or Vrbo just now but this tmcvacationrentals link is the same property. I am pretty sure you could locate it on whichever reservation platform you prefer www.tmcvacationrentals.com/vacation-rental-home.asp?PageDataID=174640&AD=8/15/2023&DD=8/17/2023

Is that the tree run off of the cat track on the way back to the base that I sometimes see people dropping in on? I've been curious where that goes but never wanted to drop in there by myself without knowing for sure 😁

@@TonyApfelbeck if we are thinking of the same spot, yes. At the end of board walk going right across the big flat before the cat track. It's a narrow path winding through the trees dropping into a narrow draw. It's the only way through, can't get off the path. You will pop out by the old 2 seat lift just past the warming hut. Word of caution, there is a big rock on the first steep drop that will scratch your base. It's easy to miss, stop at the top of the drop, go around on the edges right or left.

Thank you!

Thank you!

We ended up camping right off of the Railroad Grade trail once we found a spot that could fit 2 tents nicely.

Hi there! Unfortunately, I do think that Skyline trail will still be a snowy hike at the end of May. We've had a warmer than normal Spring so snow is definitely melting but there is quite a lot of snow depth at altitude. www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/spring-hiking-safety.htm

@@TonyApfelbeck thanks for the reply! I didn’t realize snow stuck around for so long. Any trails you think will be accessible without a ton of snow near the Nisqually entrance? Thanks for the help!

​@@kattawayful Of course! Sorry I didn't have better news. There are definitely a lot of pretty areas to explore within the park in the early season, it's a huge place! The road should be clear up to Paradise still and I think you'd still enjoy driving up there to look around even if there's snow on the ground in areas. In the winter, they rent snowshoes from the visitors center so if that's still active when you're here, give it a shot! Nisqually Lookout is a very short hike from the parking lot. Rampart Ridge may be a hike that you could access - this is off the same road. It looks like you could hike some of the lower sections of the Wonderland Trail near Carter and Madcap Falls but Paradise Valley road from Longmire isn't expected to open until June 30th so you'd need to hike it from Longmire (approx 3 miles). If you're feeling adventurous and want to go toward the Northern Entrance of the park, Chinook and Cayus Passes are targeted to open for Memorial Day Weekend so you may be just in time. Road statuses are posted here www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/road-status.htm. I'm actually planning to go try to check out Suntop Lookout the first week of June and am planning to pack snowshoes for the last 1-2 mi. The snowline appears to be about 3,000 ft altitude today although slopes that face South get much more sun so this will vary a bit throughout the terrain so that's probably a good baseline. Hopefully we will see more melt over the next couple of weeks if this weather keeps up (we've had record-setting warm days the past week). Hope you enjoy your trip!

Thank you so much for the helpful info. Living in Wyoming our winter is over in May and it’s been warmer than usual, so I thought the end of May would be fine! I was wrong 😅 I’ll definitely check out the areas you mentioned. If too much snow, may just have to turn around. If they still have the snow shoes I’ll give that a try! I’m hoping just regular hiking boots will do for just exploring within the park. I hope the view is clear so I can see Mt Rainier! Maybe that will be in my favor lol either way I’m sure it will be beautiful and am so excited to see the area. Never been to Washington. Will have to plan another trip at a better time of year for skyline!

Yeah! The Christmas lights look better out of focus than they do IN focus hahaha