So the plan was to get to the snow early, meaning up at 7, breakfast 7.30, leave and be on the snow at 8. It's amazing how long getting snow gear on is, when you are in a rush. We made it by about 8...ish, and started off with the Training Area to get Conrad's legs back after the day break we had. So down the Ichinose Green run, we cut onto the other quad lift, made our way over the back to Terakoya, and finally we made our way down Higashitateyama all the way too Hoppo Bundaira. Not bad, we travelled a big distance and it was only 10ish. Time to get a beer.
There was a method to this though. Beer has carbs. Carbs have energy. Energy makes me GO!!! Plus I had to fix my boots up. They seemed to plague me all day though, either being too tight or too loose. Really annoying, seeing as I keep losing finer control. I think I finally figured out this afternoon that it is the top of my boot cutting into my calves. We shall see tomorrow. So anyway, after fueling up, we went back up to Higashitate to do another run down. But here's where it got annoying, as my alternate title suggests.
You see, Steven went to get my beer, but rather then getting me a 375ml can like he got himself, he got me a 500ml can. I still can't fathom why, but he said I shouldn't be complaining. So by the time we had taken 2 lifts to the top of Higashitate, my bladder was nigh of breaking point. Think of Rose and Jack trying to fight for survival to get to the outside of the ship in Titanic, and you'll understand how much I had gushing around. Not fun. So the jumpy, slidey action just made me want to go more, and so I said, "I need to Go", thinking this would indicate my imminent bladder release. How wrong I was. I made it to the Gondola, ran into the bathroom, and let nature take it's course. Meanwhile Conrad and Steven where coursing through nature, and away from where I was.
We both got lost last year in the same place, so I figured "Steven will come to the Gondola, seeing as it is the bottle neck of the area, and the only way back to our hotel side of things". Well, they showed up, after 1 hour. "Hungry" Steven asks, DUH. Yes, I was, only to be informed he and Conrad had already eaten, whilst they were "waiting" for me. A likely story. So we headed up the Gondola, and to the Terakoya side of the mountains to have a looksey at a place we had noticed earlier in the day. Well, we didn't account for Conrad's.... um, how shall I put this, lack of path finding skills. We went down a little run and waited for him. And waited. And waited. I took a ride up on one of the lifts to see if I could find him, only to find out the lift didn't go the way I wanted it to. So back down to wait some more.
Well by now, we were confused, and thought, he must have taken the left path and back down to Ichinose. So that's where we headed, nope, no Conrad. Hotel? Nope, his board isn't there. So obviously, my AMAZING ability to conjure up all maner of images in my head kicked in, and Conrad went through any number of Scenarios. First, he fell off the path, down some trees, and was laying unconscious at the bottom, slowly freezing to death. Next, he had fallen and broken his tree stump legs. Next, he was quite fine, crusing up and down mountains, many a little Japanese lady following him and yelling "KuWAIIII" (that made me mad, where's my cheer squad?).
Alrighty, so I needed food. Seeing as I still hadn't eaten and it was 2. So I went to the Khuls hotel again, and got another mixed Pizza (see Sunday for a description). I kept an eye out the window as I partook of my strange meal and beverage. Couldn't see him, so I sent Steven to the Ichinose information area to see if they could page him (also cause someone was brought down from the mountain and I wanted to see if it was him, minus his cheer squad). Well when I finished up I went down to meet up with Steven. No Conrad still. So we decided that I would go to the path we lost him on, then check out some of the other frequent haunts to track him down. Well after 1 hour I still hadn't found him. So I took my board back to the hotel to see if he had checked in, and to lighten my load. Still no Conrad. By now the front desk man (Ganji? I can't remember) said he hadn't arrived but would call the Ichinose Information area if he turned up. So back I walked again, muchly sore from all the up and down hiking. Well as I neared the Information Centre, who should come tearing down but the giant plum (he has a big purple jacket).
He informs us that he was looking for us, in between practicing on every path between Ichinose and Higashitateyama. Great. Well he was still keen to go, so back again to get the boards and onto the slopes for 2 more runs. My boots were still a little loose, so I was losing some level of control, as well as feeling because the bindings were REALLY tight. But anyhoo. 2 nice clean runs and back to the hotel where I am now, having typed for the last hour and drank a beverage.
We are off to get food now so hopefully some Gyoza and Ramen will make me feel great.
Waiting is Boring. Walking is Tiring.
I need a sherpa to carry my and my things.
Wanted: 1 Tibetan Sherpa, must be willing to travel.
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