Xavier goes for an off-piste course while Patrick and I use the day to train, check the gear, check the snow conditions on Mount Yotei.

We buy crampons for the split-snowboards, apparently it was icy on top of Mount Yotei a few days ago and without crampons we might not be able to finish the climb.

Mike has been really generous and opened up his house for us to borrow split snowboard, boots, avalanche beacon, tent, stove, expedition grade sleeping bags etc.

We are planning to go up tomorrow morning, stay 1 night on the summit and head down on Thursday. The weather should getting nicer on Thursday morning. Tomorrow wind chill of -22c at 1100 meters so cold but fine. We have a good tent and good sleeping bags.

Delicious dinner in a local restaurant: okonomiaki, Wagyu steak, fresh asahi beers.

Our mountain hardware 80L backpacks are all packed, common gear shared 3 ways. Just need to add water bottles, thermos of tea and sandwiches tomorrow morning and we will head out.