Winter 2002 Newsletter

Letter from the Editor
Letter from the President
Message form our new Administration Gal
Bicycle for Everyone's Earth Ride 2003
Upcoming Events
Tidbits Corner
Exclusive Interview (with John Buffery)
This month's articles
Every Situation Is Different (ESID) Comic

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE SPRING NEWSLETTER IS March31st!.

Please send all submissions (in MS Word Doc as attachments) to newsletter@outdoorsig.com

Letter from the Editor

Happy Holidays!

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season and winter and its snow. To mark the coming of winter, OSIG presents to you the Winter edition of the OSIG Newsletter. In this issue, we have some interesting articles as well as some good oldies on Powdatopia 2002. Also included in this edition is an exclusive interview with the guy who played a role in the making of EcoChallenge, the movie K2, and other films that we have all known and loved.

The next edition will be the Spring issue and the deadline for submissions will be February 28, 2003. Speaking of submissions, due to some unforeseen difficulties the article submission drawing has been postponed till a later date. But we still want you to submit articles, so keep them coming!

All articles must be as MS Word attachment and must be longer than a page in length using size 12 font in Arial. We are also accepting quotes and photos! So, if you want to see you and your friends online or you have said something (or know some who is constantly saying something) that is worthy to be quoted, then do submit it to our inbox at newsletter@outdoorsig.com

Submission deadline for Spring Issue: March 31st, 2003

I look forward to receiving all of your articles about your winter adventures for the Spring issue!

See you on the slopes!
The Newsletter Chick
Donna
newsletter@outdoorsig.com

Letter from the President

Dear OutdoorSIGers,

Things here at Outdoorsig are really starting to speed up. Dave at events has been really busy organizing the best POWDATOPIA Trip ever (send your money in now); Donna has been busy interviewing people and compiling this newsletter; Dane has been busy contacting individual prefecture representatives and trying to organize new events; Sara has been adding new search features to our website; Mike has been busy organizing our finances; and I have been busy answering members’ questions, adding you all to the interactive list at Yahoo! Groups, and planning for upcoming deadlines and events. Also, I would like to welcome Heidi Cameron to the National Crew. She has pulled on the administration boots and has been busy updating our members lists and tracking down broken e-mails etc out on her little island in the sea of Japan.

One of the most important things to occur within the past few months is the final addition of all the members to our interactive listbot (outdoorsig@yahoogroups.com). Any member can and should post info regarding outdoor activities in Japan to the whole group simply by sending an e-mail to the above address. Furthermore, if you have a yahoo! ID you can access the group homepagehttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/outdoorsig/ and post photos and upload files, and view old messages. I sincerely hope more of our 500 or so members use this service.

Recently planning for our Spring Bonin Islands Paradise trip has begun. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, swimming, exotic species you name it! The dates for the trip are march 29th to April 6th during spring break. Please start planning ahead because this trip is well worth it. The costs for the trip will probably run around 100,000 yen but bear in mind that we are going OFF THE BEATEN PATH. Transportation and lodging therefore are not cheap. Check out the articles written last year in this newsletter issue and on the website. More details to follow.

LETS ENJOY POWDER SNOW FUN!
John Marshall.

Message from our new Administration Gal

Full Name: Heidi Elizabeth Cameron - pronounce that Hi-D, not Hi-Gee!
Nick name: hides
Prefecture: Shimane-ken (way, way, WAY out on the Oki islands in the middle of nowhere)
Year on JET: uno
Outdoor interests: snowboarding (have helmet, will travel), paddling (dropping C3/4s open boat), hiking, biking, climbing, teaching outdoor ed, and working in search and rescue
Favourite haunts: Zermatt Switzerland, "Hell's Gate Canyon" Missinaibi River Canada, Banff National Park Canada, the "front" of the ambulance
Best powder: Fernie British Columbia, Canada
Best paddling spot: Queen Charlotte Islands "Haida Gwaii" British Columbia, Canada
Best accident: femur, severed MCL/LCL, crush tibial plateau - an avanlanche, a tree and me - I lost...
This year's hopefuls: hiking the Great Wall of China, backcountry in Hokkaido, a triathalon, a marathon, and getting off my island that is 4 hours from nowhere, and only 10km long...
My message: Sir. Isaac Newton was a smart man!

Enough silliness though, I'm pleased to be the new administrator at OSIG and I hope that we have a smooth year, and one filled with plenty of outdoor activities of all genres. I'm just a newbie at this position so please forgive me as I'm just getting used to my "new" job here at OSIG!

Cheers and happy trails,
Heidi

Bicycle for Everyone's Earth 2003

This is to let you know the annual Bicycle for Everyone's Earth Ride (BEE) is now open for team member sign-ups and on the road supporters. If you don't know, the BEE Ride is a bicycle journey from the northern to the southern tip of Japan during summer.

You may think that is a long way but you need not go the whole way. Though previous years' riders come away from the ride wishing they had gone longer. Seeing Japan by bike certainly is one of the best ways to go.

The ride suits anyone with a couple of months spare next summer, keen to cycling and would like to learn and share about environmental issues as they go. The ride took this years' team to many public schools, local communities, libraries, beaches and rivers to join in environmental activities on the way. They had a busy media schedule with a radio interview by phone most days with the odd TV appearance too. Apart from becoming a celebrity and saving the world, you get to stretch out on the open road and see some amazing scenery, camp in the outdoors or stay with other members of the JET (Japan Exchange Teaching Programme) community.

In other words, this is a great opportunity!

We currently have 4 people interested in joining the ride. More are welcome. From this core team we will be looking for a coordinator to see the project runs smoothly.

We already have a team of 15 on-the-road helpers (in different parts of Japan) who will provide support/arrange events along the route. But more are welcome!

The timing for sponsorship is very tight as we need to send any appeals for sponsorship out in December. This means a coordinator for the project must be decided in the next week or so.

If you would like more information about the BEE Ride, please see this year's website. The diary is particularly interesting.

http://www.beejapan.org/

For general information about EcoSIG, check out
http://www.geocities.com/green_in_japan/about.html

To speak directly with an EcoSIG coordinator, please reply to Andrew or Dan at ecosignc@yahoo.com or phone Andrew 076-288-4890 (after hours, also fax)

Upcoming Events

Well, here you go everyone. Here are the major events that are coming your way from now until the next newsletter. Winter is almost here, so buckle up those boots, wax up those skis and boards, and make those insurance payments.

FEBRUARY

THE LEGENDARY ANNUAL POWDATOPIA (Hokkaido and Aomori trip)OSIG presents PowdaTopia - 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? Registration is open and the full trip and/or the Niseko portion are presently full. If you want to be put on the waitlist, just fill out the registration form and enter something like "Powdatopia Waitlist" in the subject heading. If anyone backs out or doesn't pay by the deadline:Jan.15th the open spots become first come, first served. There are still a bunch of spots available for the Hakkoda, Aormori portion, so if you're interested, contact me (Dave) at events@outdoorsig.com

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 seven days (or however 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

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 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 Snow Japan Guide

-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. Starting in 2001 we have an ECO position on the national crew....and liaise with EcoSIG to promote such events as Beach and Hiking Trail Clean-ups......take a look at the OSIG Green Section in the OSIG seasonal newsletters. 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 websiteand jump to the OSIG GREEN SECTION/past articles.

Tidbits Corner

"In the end, to ski is to travel fast and free - free over untouched snow country. To be bound to one slope, even one mountain, by a lift may be convenient but it robs us of the greatest pleasure that skiing can give, that is to travel through the wide wintery country; to follow the lure of peaks which tempt on the horizon and to be alone for a few days or even hours in clear, mysterious surroundings"Hans Gmoser

Do you want to be immortalized through a key phrase? Do you think that you are constantly saying one-liners (or know someone who does) that should be quoted? If so, then submit them to newsletter@outdoorsig.com!

Exclusive Interview (with John Buffery)

When you watched K2 or EcoChallenge, have you ever wondered how the camera crew was able to catch that seemingly wild shot amidst some awesome displays of chaotic nature? Have you ever wondered whether if it was possible to just spend your whole life in the great outdoors from winter to summer? Well, the answer to both questions can be found in one man by the name of John Buffery. John Buffery is the outdoorsman extraordinaire! He spends from winter to summer in the great outdoors either as a backcountry guide or helping camera crews of some big Hollywood productions catch those totally crazy shots. After having to hunt him down, I was finally able to get him to sit down in front of his computer and answer some of my questions. On a side note, I really regret not being able to perform a live interview, but because of the long distance thing, it had to be an e-mail interview. But anyway, read on to catch a tiny glimpse of this totally amazing guy. If you want to know more about the man, then check out his website for more information www.safetywrangler.com

Let's start with a simple question, how did you get the nickname Buff?

I love to run around the hills with no clothes given the opportunity.Actually, my first name is John. I have always had a nickname; Peanuts (junior school), Maddog (High School), Tumbleweed (University) and Buff from Buffery when I moved west in 1979.

So you have been working in Fiji, helping with the EcoChallenge. Can you tell us a little bit of what you did, as in what was your role in the Eco Challenge?

I was with 9 other Canadian rigging ropes through deep river canyons, 300 metre waterfalls, and spired peaks on isolated islands. We would then place stills and movie camera people in precarious positions to capture the Eighty one, 4 peopled, coed teams along this 500 km race.

Could you give us a little preview on what to expect from the Fiji Eco Challenge?

I think traditionally, the drama in the race was mid pack, not this year. The front teams had some interesting strategies that didn't work as they did on previous races. I heard from many of the contestants, 'It was the hardest race yet'. (sounds like EcoChallenge Fiji will be totally worth watching, folks!)

I was able to check out your website, www.safetywrangler.com and I have to say that I was very impressed by your resume. Your site was quite impressive as well. But I was wondering, is your "company" a one man show or are you the big man and others work for you?

Thank you for that compliment.I wanted safetywrangler.calm.Safetywrangler is me and all my ideas filling an itinerant calendar. I am not such a big man. If I am hired by a film production company I surround myself with my like-minded colleagues and the synergy makes us all look great. Like wise, if Davey Alexander gets the call he will hire me, like an unrelated nepotism. It assures a high quality safety standard drawn from a long collection of experiences.

Along the same lines, can you tell us what gave you the idea to start a company that caters to anything that deals with the great outdoors?

I was one of those kids who didn't just see raft guiding, climbing or snowboarding as a passing phase in my life. I was living a life in a style and manner that sustained growth inward while reflecting an outward skill. I then realized people would buy this experience from me, while gaining accreditation as I went along.

Ok, in general, how did you get started on your occupation?

Geez, I am just realizing how occupied I am these days. Phew.

What "one" event gave you the idea that you wanted to dedicate your life's profession to being an outdoors expert?

I think it was a life's passion chasing the wind in nature that matured into a profession. I find people call me an expert more than I admit to. That may be key to staying safe, the environment does not hold you in high esteem no matter what your credentials.

Did you know that your occupation is the ideal job for a lot of us? We daydream about being able to do what you do! So are there any advices that you can give to those of us who wants to do what you are doing?

I am exactly like you. Daydreaming about what the top of mountain peaks look like from the base of the clouds. Advice to having a profession in the outdoors - it is not a job. It is a seamless career development of pursuing something that gives you more the more you engage. Your passion at what you are doing will be what people will be wanting a piece of.

Oh, another simple question, what does the acronym ARAW stand for?

I have a program called ASK. Avalanche Safety Knowledge. Questions are encouraged.ARAW is the Advanced Recreational Avalanche Workshop. The essentials to keep you out of trouble. We teach you how to observe good information to make the best decisions for dropping into what situation is the best.

Recently, you were involved with teaching some Japanese mountain experts avalanche safety and awareness in cooperation with JAN, so how did you get involved with JAN (The Japanese Avalanche Network)?

In 1998 Craig Kelly was invited by Burton Japan to hold a seminar on Backcountry Riding. Craig suggested that he knew a snowboard guide that could help, enter me. After our time there Craig, Kumiko Scarlett and I thought of raising avalanche awareness for the public. We donated some money and a lot of time to translate a great new book hot off the press, Free Riding In Avalanche Terrain, by Dr. Bruce Jamieson. This raised eyebrows that some gaijin's were doing this. Eventually we turned into a supporting group lessoning the new JAN to the Canadian Avalanche Association and the first Avalanche Course in Japan for professionals occurred last year.

How would you rate the avalanche safety and awareness in Japan?

I would say the detailed Academic Researchers of avalanche study in Japan are cutting edge in many ways. Generally, the ski areas have discouraged skiers and riders from wandering into the backcountry by roping the boundaries. The Japanese ski professionals are just learning how to systematically collect data and try to forecast when slopes are more prone to slide. It is a lengthy topic that question.

(till next time then!)

When you are a backcountry ski guide, what goes through your mind?

When I have a day guiding in the backcountry, I am trying to create flow. An uptrack that no one notices walking up. Encourage stimulating conversation while intergrating the benches, minimizing the exposure to steeper slopes, stopping opportunely for food and rest in scenic and safe areas en route to summits attainable by the energy of the group. I love to ride and think where would I like to go. While everyone is eating, I will confirm all my days' observations and dig a snow profile. Often we will drop in and usually no one is disappointed.

Ok, last question, describe your most hair-raising experience you've had while on the job.

My most hair raising-experience would have to been well over a decade as I have been blessed with an over abundance of hormones leaving my head on the sleek side. Recently, a raising experience of another type occurred when I was called in to rescue team 81 Smirnoff Ice Playboy extreme from hypothermia. No word of a lie.

(don't all you guys wish you were him?)

This Month's Articles

Niseko Adventure Race-Julianna Gray (2002)

Namaste From Nepal!-Hutch (2002)

Kyoto EcoSIG Autumn Gathering-Daniel Black (2002)

Appi Is So Close You Can SPIT On It!-Dean Ruetzler (2002)

Yeah, I Ski-Adam Pendlebury (2002)

Welcome To Heaven - Jenny Maciver (2001)

Pow Till You Choke - Dane Sjoblom (2001)

Powder Addicts Anonymous - Linda Valente (2001)

Powder Friends (from SnowJapan.com) - Ben Kerr (2001)

Powdertopia 1999 (from SnowJapan.com) - Hutch (2001)

Kuma In Them Woods (fiction) - Dean Ruetzler (1999)

OSIG SPRING BONIN TRIP-by Carolyn Atkinson (2002)

EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT (ESID)

A selection from Earth Jonathan Bennett`s comics at: www.angelfire.com/comics/esid/

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