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1. Nature of this content

This content is a personal record of mountain trips (including backcountry and ski-touring trips) that the author has actually undertaken in the past. It is an account of past experiences. It does not recommend or instruct any specific reader to enter any specific route. All information on difficulty, time required, snow conditions, terrain, and the like reflects the author’s personal observations and impressions on the specific date of the author’s visit. It does not guarantee the conditions you will encounter.

2. Notice of inherent danger

Backcountry skiing, ski touring, and mountaineering are activities that inherently carry serious, life-threatening dangers. These include, but are not limited to:

• Surface-layer avalanches and full-depth avalanches
• Cracks (fractures in the snow surface), cornice collapse, sastrugi, and hidden crevasse-like terrain
• Sudden weather deterioration, whiteout, and frostbite or hypothermia from cold
• Becoming lost, falling/sliding, and collision with trees or rocks
• Encounters with wildlife, including brown bears (higuma)
• Areas with no mobile reception and where rescue is difficult

Mountains in Hokkaido can fall below freezing even in summer, and every winter brings accidents and fatalities. These dangers cannot be fully eliminated regardless of experience, skill, or equipment.

3. Required equipment and recommended preparation

In particular, we strongly recommend carrying the following as mandatory before entering the backcountry or undertaking ski-touring trips:

• Avalanche beacon (transceiver)
• Shovel
• Probe

In addition, we strongly recommend:

• Completing avalanche-safety training in advance (such as courses by JAN, the Japan Avalanche Network)
• Checking avalanche and weather forecasts for the day
• Avoiding solo travel, and going with companions proficient in the use of this equipment
• Filing a climbing plan (tozan-todoke) and sharing your expected return with a third party

This equipment and preparation reduce risk; they do not guarantee safety.

4. Your responsibility

Whether to enter the mountains based on this content, and every decision involved if you do, is made entirely at your own responsibility. In particular, you understand and agree that:

• The information here reflects a specific point in the past and may not reflect current conditions.
• You must independently re-evaluate, on site and on the day, the snowpack, avalanche risk, weather, terrain changes, wildlife activity, and similar factors.
• You enter the mountains on your own judgment and responsibility, taking into account your own skill, experience, fitness, and equipment.
• You are responsible for checking the latest information — volcanic activity (such as raised eruption-warning levels), access restrictions, and other updates — through official sources yourself.

5. Disclaimer of liability

The author exercises reasonable care regarding the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the information in this content, but does not guarantee them. The author is not liable for any loss or damage (including personal injury, death, or property damage) arising from your use of, or inability to use, this content.

However, this section does not exclude liability for loss or damage caused by the author’s intent or gross negligence, nor any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

6. Governing law and jurisdiction

All matters relating to the use of this content are governed by the laws of Japan. Any dispute arising in connection with the use of this content shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Sapporo District Court as the court of first instance.

7. Confirmation of agreement

By using this content, you are deemed to have read, understood, and agreed to all of the above.