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Advanced multi-pitch climbing in Hokkaido
Explore some exciting multi-pitch climbing routes in Akaiwa, Otaru, one of the most famous climbing areas in Hokkaido, on this 1-day trip for advanced climbers with Yasuko, a local JMGA mountain guide.
Description
Only at a 1.5 hour drive from Sapporo, we’ll reach Akaiwa Otaru, one of the oldest and most popular climbing areas in Hokkaido.
This is a multi-pitch climbing programme oriented for advanced climbers.
However, there are routes with a wide range of difficulties in this area, from beginner (UIAA III-), intermediate (UIAA IV-V) to advanced (UIAA VI-). I will pick the appropriate sector depending on your experience, technical levels and your wishes!
There are 3 main climbing areas in Akaiwa Otaru: in the west, east and in the center.
- For free climbing, we’ll be climbing in areas called 44 face, and crystal face and so on.
- For multi-pitch climbing, we’ll be climbing in areas called Higashino Ohkabe, Table, Pinnacle, Fudo, Nishikabe, Nishioku etc. They are around 3-4 pitches.
We’ll meet at 7.30 am in Sapporo and drive to Otaru. On the way, we’ll stop by a convenience store to buy snacks and lunch for the day.
The approach to the crag will be a 10-20 min hike on a mixture of trail and loose rocks. Then, we’ll get ready and there will be a briefing.
We’ll climb in the morning and in the afternoon, including a lunch break between both sessions.
The trip will end by 5 pm, but I can take you to an onsen afterwards if you like to.
Would you like to join me for a 1-day rock climbing trip in Hokkaido? Please, contact me so we can start planning this together!
If you are looking for a longer climbing trip, you can also take a look at this 2-day crack / trad climbing in central Hokkaido.
Details
More info Temperature in Hokkaido from June - Sept is around 15-25c. Sept - Oct is autumn in Hokkaido and there are days when it's lower than 10c. <br></br> Gear list: Climbing Gears - helmet / harness / climbing shoes / chalk bag / Belay device / 2 screwgate carabiners / 1 60cm sling / 1 120cm sling / belay gloves / You also need approach shoes / day bag which you can fit all the climbing gears in. <br></br> Recommended clothing: Trousers (3/4 length recommended), but something which you can bend your knees easily in. No shorts. T-shirt or long sleeve shirts / insulating mid layer e.g. fleece / waterproof jacket / sunglasses etc. |
Meeting point Sapporo station (North exit) or I can pick up from a hotel in Sapporo. |
Photos
About the guide
JMGA Mountain Guide
I was born in Kitami city in east Hokkaido. I grew up loving outdoor sports, skiing, and mountain climbing. I now lives in Sapporo and I have been a guide for the last 15 years.
I have accumulated vast experience in mountaineering in both Japan and abroad. I have served on the Canadian Ski Patrol and I have a wealth of experience skiing, rock climbing, and mountain climbing all over the world including Europe, North America, and Nepal.
I pride myself on my skill and experience rock climbing during the summer and backcountry skiing in the winter months. I have climbed Mt. McKinley in the U.S., Mt. Manaslu and Mt. Ama-Dablam, in Nepal, The Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Chamonix, in Europe and Insubong in Korea.
Please contact me if you want to experience Japan walking, climbing or skiing! I will be very happy to guide you here.
What people are saying about Yasuko Kikuchi
Michael
5.00
March 2020
Timothy Fromer
5.00
January 2020
We had a wonderful day with Yasuko. He was very informative and spoke English very well. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great time ski touring or split boarding Mt. Yotei
M. Britt
4.00
January 2020
Yasuko was very knowledgable about the area. She tailored our outings based on our requests, and we had great fun in the mountains near Rusutsu and Yotei.
Joanna Lee
5.00
June 2019
This trip was great! Yasuko was very helpful and friendly and brought us to a beautiful crag with many climbs that were an appropriate difficulty for us to try. The climbs were extremely fun; the approaches were totally reasonable; and the crag was shockingly uncrowded. Yasuko also found us an inexpensive but delightful campground and did everything to make our trip successful and fun.
alexandre ALT
5.00
February 2018
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Prices per person
Group of 1 | JPY 42000 each |
Group of 2 | JPY 21000 each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Mountain guide's expenses (lifts, meals, accommodation, etc)
Price details
The following items can be rented:
Harness - JPY 1000
Helmet - JPY 1000
Belay set (ATC / Slings / Carabiners) - JPY 2000
Whole set - JPY 3000
* Please let me know in advance if you need to rent. Depending on your shoe size, it might not be possible to rent them in Japan.
For booking assistance
Have any doubts? Talk directly with an Explore Share assistant.
The Concierge service is a great tool for when you still haven't decided what kind of Adventure you're looking for and you're open to suggestions
i did cancel my oversease trip due to coronavirus concerns and it being a bad season in japan. will come back in january next year to try.