Rather than a dreamy peak observed from our window, Goryudake hides a bit farther back with a less straightforward approach. When observed from the correct angle, its diamond shaped rock formations become obvious, revealing a couloir seemingly cut by Zorro himself. Itâs a tantalizingly close, deceptively far objective that usually requires a tent and some luck. Goryu literally translates to the âFive Dragonsâ, an adequate name for a peak thatâs constantly mauled by the wind. Opting for sweat on the skintrack over sleep on the mountain, we gave chase to the dragon expecting only snow affected by a malignant March. The soft spot in the dragonâs scales held surprises: powder in all four pitches. Despite good skiingâŠ
As it happens with lines not visible from the valley, all the five dragons withheld were their facade during the after-ski beer. Not that it mattered much, our memory served us just fine.
