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Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 290 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Bit of Summer Skiing
Mt Kan'nabe, Toyooka City, Japan
We tried a bit of grass skiing the other day, at a mostly-deserted ski resort in northern Hyogo Prefecture, about three hours away by car. It was a bit of déjà vu for me because like the last time I tried to go skiing in Japan (with a former girlfriend 20 years ago), we found that even if I cut off my toes my feet were way too big for the rental boots, so I couldn't do it. That time, I spent the day in the lodge while others skied, but the next day we did an activity that I could participate in: paragliding. And the biggest déjà vu came when I realized that the paragliding place could well have been this exact same location, as paragliding was going on as well as the grass skiing.
This time, though, I was just as happy to not have skis because then I could take photos more freely, and could better assist Anthony. He's gone snow skiing twice (here and here) but it's been a while.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35 mm — 1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Equipment Rental
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35 mm — 1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Grass Skis
This is, of course, the answer to the Red, Green, and Black “What am I?” Quiz from the other day, that stumped no one. I'd never seen grass skis before, but apparently I'm in the minority.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/3200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Preparation
The day was hazy with the yellow sand blowing in from China that I mentioned yesterday. As nice as it made the mountain view at dusk, it made for fairly flat, boring lighting during the day. Didn't stop me from getting a mild sunburn, though.
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 500 mm — 1/800 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Locked In
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 50 mm — 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Basic Instruction
I always have a difficult time capturing heights and slopes in photos... the hill behind them in the photo above (actually the remains of an old volcano) is tall and steep, but it really doesn't show. People would ski it in the winter, but you'd have to be pretty adventurous to use grass skis there.
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 58 mm — 1/2000 sec, f/4.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
First Tentative Steps
so to speak
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 78 mm — 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Seems Fun Enough
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 50 mm — 1/2500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Bit Wobbly
because I was running backwards, ready to catch him if control got away from him
He didn't get all that much speed the first time, but enough that he got scared, so I had to scoop him up to stop him, but that was the only time I had to help.
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 240 mm — 1/800 sec, f/6, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pausing for a Rest
making your way up the slope was tough work
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 140 mm — 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Anthony Goes Again
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 58 mm — 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Mommy is Way Up There
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 500 mm — 1/800 sec, f/8, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pretty Much Like Snow Skiing
except with a more-upright posture
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 240 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Her First Longish Run
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 500 mm — 1/800 sec, f/6.3, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Ta Da!
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 50 mm — 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Anthony Set Up for a Long Run
Nikon D700 + Sigma 50-500mm OS @ 500 mm, cropped — 1/1000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Thumbs Up
ready to go!
Nikon D700 + Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm OS @ 140 mm — 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading Up For One More Run
This was at the bottom of an old, long-extinct volcano. After the skiing, we went to explore it a bit more, which turned into quite the adventure.
To be continued...
That’s pretty awesome. I wonder if any of the ski places in the US have something like that.
Thanks for taking some shots of the boots and treads. I’ve never heard of grass skiing before this, and was curious as to how people were moving over the terrain. I’m actually surprised that this sort of thing isn’t more prevalent in America – not necessarily for “grass skiing,” but because these things look like they could be used as something of “all terrain rollerblades.” Cornering ability probably isn’t as good, and there would probably be issues with friction compared to ‘blades… but it seems like the perfect type of thing for a full-body workout for those who don’t want to go to the gym, and who don’t have access to nicely paved surfaces for regular wheel-based skating.
Photo-wise, I’m surprised you were able to get usable shots while running backwards! I particularly like “Thumbs Up” and “Pausing for a Rest” – Fumie looks rather dignified there.
WOW! I remember those things as a child of the 1970’s. You used to see those grass skis every once in awhile. They used to have them here in the U.S. (Maybe they still do.)
Its really amazing and funny to see them. Don’t feel bad those things are pretty obscure. That looks like good dumb/silly fun. Kudos.
Also, your family… do they ever get sick of you constantly taking photos? They look very self-unaware which is good. (Even shots like TA DA your wife looks genuine and not… hamming it up for the camera.)
About “do they ever get sick of you constantly taking photos?“, yes, sometimes, but then, they like having the memories as much as I do, so like anything I just have to make sure I’m drawing the proper balance. For example, I don’t have many pictures of Anthony skiing because I was being available to him more than photographing him, except at the very start of a run. —Jeffrey
I can ski but I tried this once and ate grass the whole time! Great shots though!