IOC Snowshoeing, Horai-san, Shiga, 27.01.2008
After postponing it for two times due to too little snow, Koji's IOC snowshoeing finally took place at the
end of January, and this time we really had more than enough snow. Solveig and I met Koji and the other
participants (Peter, Mauricio, Mike and Lisa) at JR Shiga station. From there we took a bus to the valley
station of the Biwako Valley gondola where hundreds of winter sports fanatics were waiting to be taken to
the snowy top of Horai-san, too. So we had some time for a little canned breakfast, then we squeezed into the
tiny Sci-Fi movie gondolas and enjoyed the view of the snowy landscape on the way up. From the mountain station of
the gondola we immediately ran into the deep snow. Unfortunately, Peter realized that his new snowshoes were not good
enough for this hike, so he had to return to the valley and met us afterwards for the onsen. The rest of the
group more slid then walked down a slope to be in a wind-protected area and have lunch (yes, we needed a break
again after going up the whole mountain). After that the actual snowshoeing hike started. First, we
climbed up to the official summit of Horai-san, took some photos at his pretty cold and windy location and
than begun our descend. It had really snowed a lot, so we were quite often walking between branches that are
in the top of the trees in summer. Finding the trail was sometimes difficult (we even had to dig to see a
two meters high signpost) and following it, too, because the snow was fresh and the ones first in the queue
sank in deeply. But most of all, it was absolutely great fun! We had so many laughs each time we almost
disappeared in a deep snow hole and had to dig or crawl our way out. Soon most of us we looking like joyful
snowmen. Right on time for the sunset we arrived at the valley station of the gondola and jumped on the last bus to Shiga
station. From there we took the train for a relaxing visit to Nishiotsu onsen before returning to our homes.
A hilarious hike through beautiful snowy landscapes, there's no better way to enjoy winter season.