iceclimbingjapan

different areas have different types off climbing, requiring different levels of committment, logistics, time, equipment and ability. to get the most out of your experience its important to make realistic choices and have a clear idea of what you want to go into. these decisions are best done by communicating with us during the planning stage of your trip, as once under way we may have limited other options.

scanning thru this synopsis will help to determine your location, and the skills base and equipment that goes with it. along with this the brief overview found here will help with puting Japan as a winter climbing destination into perspective

location        committment        logistics       days     resources      ability

Yatsugatake                   minimal                                minimal             1 – 10               basic           beginner – advanced

Kaikomagatake

(upper)                               high                                   complex             4  – 8               multi-day      medium/advanced

Kaikomagatake

(lower)                            minimal                                  easy                  2 - 6                multi-day      beginner/advanced

Senjougatake                  high                                     medium              2 – 4               multi-day               medium

micro-expeditions          very high                            complex               4 – 14              multiday        medium/advanced

alpine walls                 very high                             complex              4 – 14               multiday          medium/advanced 

Mt Fuji                             medium                                 basic                    2                    basic                beginner/medium

caldera ice                       high                                 complex                   3                     multiday            advanced            

Asama-yama                   minimal                                basic                 1 – 2                 basic                       beginner

Futakuchi                       minimal                              basic                  2 – 3                   basic          beginner – advanced 

Sounkyo (Hokkaido)         minimal                               easy                 2 – 5                  basic           beginner – advanced

China                            medium/high                        medium              5 – 21    hi-alt/remote  medium/advanced           

expeditions                    very high                           complex             15 – 75    long/remote/hi-alt     medium/advanced

spring                                minimal                              basic                     1 – 3             basic            beginner – advanced 

committment: the energy and resources required for a trip plus the options and alternatives available once begun

logistics: the organization and arrangements required to make a trip happen

days: total number of days required including transport and return

resources: basic – little or no overnight gear. multi-day – food & gear for >1 day. remote/hi-alt &/or long – specialist expedition gear

ability: beginner – no winter climbing experience. medium – previous experience with winter climbing. advanced – requires no instruction