写真は昨日早朝の琴似発寒川の様子。旧国道５号線架橋上から南側方向を見たところ。
　札幌市西区の山の手地域は写真上方の札幌岳の山渓を南にして、そこからの丘陵地系が特徴。山の手というのはこうした地形特徴を表現したものと思っています。
　さて１月時期としては記録的とされた50cm超ではないかというドカ雪もようやく納まりました。1/9午前９時段階の降雪量はこの周辺で平年値167cmが、今年度はすでに240cm。「積雪深」は平年値41cmが、今年度は61cm。＜札幌市HPより＞
　昨日は早朝から、夜間に行われた公共除雪作業の結果、家の前に残置された「重たく固い雪」をせっせと処理して片付けておりました。ヘトヘト状態になってバタンキューと爆睡していたのですが、なんと予想に反して若々しく元気が蘇って、わが家周辺＋借り上げている個人敷地の一部の駐車場スペースまでバリバリと処理。もう１箇所の３台分借り上げている駐車場には、午前８時くらいまでには除雪が入ることになっているので、除外しましたが、１時間近くの雪かき作業でも颯爽としておりました。我ながら若々しい（笑）。
　ということで除雪作業後、この写真周辺地を散歩までしていました。除雪作業での歩数は2,500歩ほどで、昨日の歩数合計は9,298歩でしたので、たぶん運動量としては12,000歩程度でしょうか。
　散歩してみると公共除雪の結果、至る所で道路脇堆雪が目立っていて、通常の４車線が２車線に、そして通常の２車線がギリギリ1.5車線になっておりました。当然、各所でクルマ交通は大渋滞発生。
　そんな散歩から帰ってきたら、近所の友人から緊急SOS電話。なんでも自家用車がバッテリー変調でかエンジンが掛からず、家人を病院での検査に連れて行くのに「参った」コール。わたしは、前述のように元気絶好調でしたので一発OKで引き受けまして、点検仕立ての愛車で送迎しておりました。
　この道中でも各所で交通渋滞しておりましたが、迷うことなく幹線道路ゆったり通行の一択。こういうドカ雪状況前後は、覚悟を決めてのゆったり運転が最上の作戦行動。案の定、ほぼ日常的な時間感覚で目的の国立病院まで送ることが出来ました。
　札幌はこれからもっとも降雪が多くなる時期。元気を涵養して前向きに過ごしたいですね。

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English version⬇

【Hokkaido Residents: From Snow Shoveling Exhaustion to Full Recovery (lol)】
Does heavy snow flip a switch deep inside northerners? After three rounds of exhausting shoveling, my body launched a counterattack. Now I’m facing winter with renewed energy!

　This photo shows the Kotoni-Hassamigawa area early yesterday morning. View looking south from the bridge over the old National Route 5.
The Yamate district in Sapporo’s Nishi Ward is characterized by the Sapporo-dake mountain range to the south (upper part of the photo) and the hilly terrain extending from it. I believe the name “Yamate” (literally “mountain hand”) reflects this topographical feature.
Now, the heavy snowfall—possibly exceeding 50cm, considered record-breaking for January—has finally subsided. As of 9:00 AM on January 9th, the snowfall accumulation in this area was already 240cm this season, compared to the average of 167cm. The “snow depth” was 61cm this season, compared to the average of 41cm.
Yesterday, starting early in the morning, I diligently cleared away the “heavy, packed snow” left in front of my house as a result of the public snow removal work done overnight. I was completely exhausted and passed out cold, but surprisingly, I woke up feeling youthful and energetic. I tackled the area around my house plus part of the parking space on the privately leased land I use. I skipped the other leased parking area for three cars since snow removal was scheduled to come by around 8 a.m., but I was still brisk and energetic even after nearly an hour of shoveling. I must say, I feel young (laugh).
　After finishing the snow removal, I even went for a walk around the area shown in this photo. The snow removal itself added about 2,500 steps, and yesterday’s total was 9,298 steps, so my exercise for the day probably came to around 12,000 steps.
During my walk, I noticed the public snow removal had left piles of snow along the roadsides everywhere. Where there were normally four lanes, there were now only two, and where there were normally two lanes, it was barely 1.5 lanes. Naturally, major traffic jams formed at various points.
Upon returning from that walk, I got an emergency SOS call from a neighbor. Apparently, their car wouldn’t start due to battery issues or engine trouble, and they were stuck trying to take a family member to the hospital for tests. I was feeling great, as mentioned earlier, so I readily agreed to help and drove them in my freshly serviced car.
　Traffic was congested in many spots along the way too, but I stuck to the one option: taking the main roads at a leisurely pace. In heavy snow conditions like this, the best strategy is to drive slowly and deliberately. Sure enough, I managed to get them to the National Hospital in almost the usual amount of time.
Sapporo is now entering its heaviest snowfall period. I want to stay energized and keep moving forward positively.

●Notice
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Posted on 1月 10th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類