Ice climbing course for beginners in the Yatsugatake Mountains, Japan (2 days)
5.0
(5)
Junichiro, a JMGA certified guide, offers a 2-day ice climbing course in the beautiful Yatsugatake mountains, climbing The Ice Candy and sleeping at the Akadake Kousen hut. A great Japanese experience for ice climbing beginners!
Private
Yatsugatake Mountain Range
2 Days
Jan - Mar
Intermediate
Beginner
Highlights
- Discover how fun ice climbing can be
- Enjoy the great facilites to safely practice ice climbing
- Stay at a comfortable mountain hut
Description
Join me for 2 days in Japan to make the most of this ice climbing course for beginners. We will be in the Yatsugatake mountains.
Located in the Nagano prefecture, only 150 kilometers from Tokyo, this mountain range is a popular climbing destination year-round. But ice climbing is not something we can do at any point: we have to wait until the winter steps in and freezes the waterfalls! The cold weather and easy access render Yatsugatake a prime ice climbing destination in the country.
In the area we can find many options, both natural and artificial, and for different levels. In our first day we will visit an artificial icefall called The Ice Candy. It is the perfect terrain to learn the basics of ice climbing. On the second day, we’ll put our acquired skills to the test on naturally formed ice near the hut.
During this 2-day course we will spend the night at the cozy Akadake Kousen mountain hut. This hut has many private rooms and it is famous for its high quality, delicious meals. Besides, we will enjoy the wonderful natural setting of the Japanese winter.
This course is designed for beginners and first timers are welcome! You do need to be in good shape but no special ability is needed.
Tempted to try ice climbing, or to improve your skills? Then request to book this trip and let’s enjoy these 2 days together! I will be thrilled to teach you ice climbing techniques in this beautiful setting.
I also enjoy guiding my clients in mountaineering programs, such as this ascent of Mt Kitahodaka, check it out!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
- Rope
- Harness
- Helmet
- Belay and rappel devices
- Quickdraws
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Trekking poles
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and ice climbing
We will meet at Chino Station at 9:30AM. We will start hiking from Minotoguchi Trail Head until we reach the Akadake Kousen mountain hut. We will practice ice climbing at the artificial icefall called The Ice Candy from 1PM to 4PM. We will spend the night at the mountain hut.
Day 2: More ice climbing!
We’ll put our newly acquired skills to the test on naturally formed ice near the hut. Taking advantage of the morning, we’ll practice ice climbing until noon, focusing on learning and refining more advanced techniques.
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Junichiro
5.0
(9)
Mountain Leader
I had a crush on Mt. Hodaka when I first came to Karasawa Cirque by helicopter to work for Karasawagoya Mountain Hut. I was struck by its amazing landscape from above. Since then I have been working in the mountain range in a lot of different ways. First, as a hut worker for 4 years, then as a member of the prefectural mountain rescue team for 6 years. And last year I started my career as a professional mountain guide.
I'm deeply in love with not only the nature but also the people attracted to the mountains.
Why don't you join me to enjoy the unique beauty of the Japanese mountains which are not easily accessible to all!
I am a JMGA alpine guide, but I also hold the Nagano prefectural special interpreter licence for English, as well as am a qualified First Aid Basic Provider certified by the Japanese Society of Mountain Medicine.
Languages
Japanese | English
Certificates
JMGA
What people are saying about this trip
Tatiya
It's one of the best experiences! Jun is a great guide and was very patient and helpful with me all along. He taught me patiently step by step and encouraged me to go beyond my limit. Also he provided everything perfectly. I had best time learning from him and enjoyed both the lesson and the mountain.
Eleanor
I had a fantastic 2 days with Junichiro in early March 2023. We weren’t able to use the mountain hut but instead we climbed at a nearby beautiful naturally occurring ice fall. On the second day we did some fun winter mountaineering to summit Amidadake. Junichiro was a fantastic guide and I had a wonderful time. Highly recommended.
Ching
Aoyama san is a great guide! He is very proficient and I feel very safe ice climbing with him. In a 2 day trip we went to different ice falls and learned a lot of technics related to ice climbing. Highly recommended his course if you would like to learn ice climbing/mountaineering.
Tatiya
It's one of the best experiences! Jun is a great guide and was very patient and helpful with me all along. He taught me patiently step by step and encouraged me to go beyond my limit. Also he provided everything perfectly. I had best time learning from him and enjoyed both the lesson and the mountain.
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