Mt Amida (2,805m) sits right next to Mt Aka in the winter playground of Yatsugatake, just a couple of hours on the train from Tokyo. It’s big and looks intimidating, but it’s not all that hard…
I bought a bigger rucksack. It’s awesome.
For multi-day trips in freezing Japanese winter, a bit more space comes in handy…
Mt Kentoku – Tokuwa Loop
Mt Kentoku (2,031m) in Yamanashi prefecture is commonly billed as a ‘technical hike’ – this is true, but a bit of an understatement; it’s much…
Nishikuro Ridge, Mt Tanigawa
Just a couple of hours from Tokyo in Gunma prefecture, Mt Tanigawa’s Nishikuro Ridge is a fantastic day out and a brilliant way to the…
Indispensable Gear: Mountain Equipment Lumiko Hooded Jacket
A killer goldilocks jacket – for everything from spring climbing to 3000m alpine summits
On turning around…
Sometimes the right decision doesn’t feel remotely good…
Mt Tonodake – Omote Ridge
An physically hard but technically easy ridge hike in easy reach of Tokyo and Yokohama that’s transformed in winter conditions into a perfect low-grade route.
Mountaineering and climbing boot sizing – a pragmatic viewpoint
I recently bought a new pair of winter climbing boots, for 2 main reasons: I wanted a boot warm enough to climb Mt Aka (2,899m) in winter and I’m tired of losing a toenail every winter because my trusty La Sportiva Nepal Extremes are 1/2 size too small.
Good Friday Climb, Ben Nevis
This route is definitely on the hard end of mild, but it’s awesome nonetheless – a big day out on Grade III snow/ice.
A note about gloves in extreme cold…
I recently climbed Mt Akadake in Japan’s Yatsugatake range (2,899m) in winter. It was -13ºc at the hut the night before, so with the extra…