ANNUAL OUTDOORSIG EVENTS!!!

OSIG Events Intro
10 steps to organising a successful OSIG event!!
Event Coordinators
'Membership has its priviledges'
OUTDOORSIG's ANNUAL EVENTS
Other Non-OSIG Annual Events
Medical Insurance

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Annual OSIG Events:

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January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

JANUARY

-OSIG's WINTER BREAK SKI TRIP TO HOKKAIDO
Hokkaido always has the earliest, lightest and deepest snowfall of all Japan in late December and early January. The options of where to ski are obvious....with Niseko Hirafu and Rusutsu (about 2 hours west of Sapporo) as well as Asahidake and Furano (in the Daisetsuzan range-Central Hokk) figuring prominently in the equation. This trip is a far more low-key than POWDERTOPIA (the February OSIG trip). No baby-sitting here. Contact events@outdoorsig.com well in advance if you are interested.
Background info on all the places to ski in Hokkaido:
http://www.skijapanguide.com/cgi-bin/resort/remote.cgi?&cgifunction=Search&Prefecture=Hokkaido
Ferry info between Hokkaido and Aomori: http://www.hakodate.or.jp/info/access/etc.htm
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FEBRUARY

THE LEGENDARY ANNUAL POWDATOPIA (Hokkaido and Aomori trip)
OSIG presents Powda Topia - a weeklong trip of pure indulgence in absolutely bottomless, never ending, bring your snorkel, powder. Hosted at two of the best powder spots in Japan, Niseko Hirafu, Hokkaido, and Mt. Hakkoda, Aomori. How much POW can you eat?.....if you're a powderhound or have always wanted to experience powder skiing/boarding then this is a MUST. Held around the weekend of the Sapporo SnowFest at Niesko Hirafu continuing down to Hakkoda-san in Aomori-ken. Do it all for approx a week or only part.
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MARCH

-OSIG's BONIN ISLANDS PARADISE trip(over spring break)
Join OSIGers from all over Japan in our annual trip to the 'Galapagos of the East' Spend three or nine days (depending on how much time you can afford) on the island exploring on the jungle trails, diving or torpedoed wartime wrecks, sea kayaking, snorkeling over amazing coral and even more wrecks, whale watching, hanging out with sea turtles, drinking, etc. Unfortunately as it's a national park there is no camping on the island so we have to stay at a hostel. "A truly magical trip"
Background info: http://www.bonin-islands.com
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APRIL

-OSIG's GASSAN BACKCOUNTRY SPRING SKI TRIP (over Golden week)
Gassan is famous for it's season that doesn't BEGIN until April 1st!!! Gassan in Yamagata, Tohoku gets so much snow in the winter that it's can't possibly plough the roads to the skijoo. Join other OSIGers skiing/boarding in t-shirts as you get a tan while exploring the backcountry around Gassan. Camping and partying just down the mountain.
Check out the OSIG articles on Gassan on SkiJapanGuide:
http://www.skijapanguide.com/2002/features/general-26.html
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-EARTH DAY EVENTS
Earth Day Events (April 22 weekend) As OUTDOORSIG is all about the outdoors we try to take an active role in keeping our beautiful Earth clean. The ECO position on the national crew works with ECOSIG to promote such events as Beach and Hiking Trail Clean-ups. If you are thinking of organizing an Earth Day Event in your town....check out the awesome 'Earth Day Event Planner's Guide' on the ECOSIG website: http://www.geocities.com/green_in_japan/

MAY

-OSIG's HOKKAIDO 'LOOP THE LAKE' BIKE TOUR
Held every few years around Lake Kussharo, a beautiful lake in Akan National Park. Quiet roads cover 3/4 of the distance around the lake, about 45 kms. The other 15 kms is off road riding. As not everyone is into off road riding, there are often 3 options:
Option 1/ full circuit by bike, both off road and on road
Option 2/ 45 kms road riding, 15 kms hiking/jogging/sprinting
Option 3/ 45 kms road riding
We hope these options will allow more people to participate. Camp at Wakato Hanto, a peninsular on the lake, with good facilities and two free rotenburo. The main event takes place on the Saturday daytime. Then there is a BBQ enkai at the campground. Other possible activities for the weekend include canoeing on the lake, windsurfing, soccer, other local onsens, and sightseeing. Maybe even horse back riding, if you can take it after the ride.
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-OSIG's WHITEWATER RAFTING WEEKEND
Spend the day rafting, cliff jumping, and climbing a waterfall. The river is class 2 - 3 rapids. Nothing too wild but can offer a few good bumps here and there depending on the water level. It proves to be a good river for beginners and intermediate rafters. The thrilling part of the day is definitely the two hour waterfall climb and the numerous cliff jumps on the way. It climaxes at the top of the canyon with a 7 meter waterfall that you can jump off of!!! On the way down take some time to have lunch and then finish the day rafting with more cliff jumping on the way. Then we head to one of the local onsens to warm up....and off to the cabin. This in no ordinary cabin. It can house up to 40 people and is located in a great area. Spend the night drinking, playing cards, hangin' out at the fireplace, etc. To top it off, the next day there are some really cool waterfalls we can check out....just a hike up from the cabin.
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-RENEWER'S CONFERENCE- 'NEW BALANCE MORNINGS' and CLIMB OF ROKKO-SAN
at both the Tokyo and Kobe Renewers conferences we had some people last year interested in going jogging in the mornings!! (if you aren't hung over that is).....if you are into this drop us a line and we'll get you in touch with other such genki OSIGers....to decide on the where/when to meet each morning. Also on the weekend either before or after the Kobe Renewers Conference there is a CLIMB OF ROKKO-SAN.......a nearby mountain with a great view of Kobe and the surrounding area. Contact us if you're interested in either event.
Lots of info about climbing Rokko-san: http://www.psn.ne.jp/~h-somali/rok/e/
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JUNE

-OSIG's PRE-SEASON FUJI-SAN CLIMB
In order to miss the crowds on the "most climbed mountain in the world" OSIG's trip to Fuji-san is PRE-SEASON (How DO you close a mt. anyway?) No holiday necessary as we climb on a Sat night......to see the surreal sunrise on the Sunday morning. You might want to be in reasonable shape to attempt the 1700m vert climb.
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JULY

Interested in organizing an event!? drop us a line at events@outdoorsig.com

AUGUST

-OSIG's SADO ISLAND ALPINE HIKE and EARTH CELEBRATION
Sado Island's Earth Celebration (EC) - (Niigata-ken)
An extended weekend trip in late August....a MUST to experience the very best of traditional Japanese and world music...very laid back...the taiko drum is featured prominently as EC is hosted by the world-famous KODO taiko drummers. Beach camping a must....and alpine hiking along the northern ridge truly breath-taking. Often this is the final pinnacle and farewell for those leaving JET (after the one month of bumming around post-contract).
Check out all the info on Earth Celebration thru the KODO website: http://www.kodo.or.jp
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-OSIG's HOKKAIDO SUMMER PEAKS TREK
Join other OSIGers as we trek around the hyakumeizan in Hokkaido....Niseko, Daisetsuzan range, Shiretoko peninsula, Rishiri Island etc. Inspired by the three Brits that hiked over the length of Japan on the 8,000km+ hyakumeizan challenge to raise money for landmine clearance.
Check out their site: http://www.japanesemountaintrek.org.uk
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SEPTEMBER

-Welcome to Japan!....two long weekends!
Interested in attending or organizing an event!? drop us a line at events@outdoorsig.com

OCTOBER

-OSIG TEAM IN THE NISEKO ADVENTURE TRIATHALON
Go hardcore on the Health and Sports Day!!!....form a team and partake in the 10km raft-20km Mt bike-10km run in some of the most spectacular scenery in Japan...nestled under Hokkaido's Fuji-san ...Mt.Yotei.
Check out info on group that organizes the triathalon...the Niseko Adventure Centre: http://www.nac-web.com/events/races/race_en.htm
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NOVEMBER

Interested in organizing an event!? drop us a line at events@outdoorsig.com

DECEMBER

-OSIG's WINTER BREAK SKI TRIP TO HOKKAIDO
the same trip at that listed in January......see the January explaination. Just how early in December can you leave school to get to the slopes in Hokkaido?

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Medical Insurance

All JETs should have received a medical insurance booklet (you know..... the little coloured one (approx 10cmx15cm) wrapped in transparent plastic). It is essential that you bring this card along with you on any OutdoorSIG events, (such as hucking yourself off the cliffs of Niseko or scuba diving at 35m on the shipwrecks of the Bonin Islands).

Should you have an injury (knock on wood) you need to have it with you in order to receive medical treatment while on OSIG events......often out of your home prefecture.