17:23
34.1 km
2835 m
Yarigatake
2026年03月01日(日)〜02日(月) 2日間
I've wanted to visit Yarigatake ever since I saw a photo of it. I wasn't sure I had the skills to climb it in Winter, but maybe if I was careful, and the conditions were right, I could do it. I caught the 7am bus from Takayama to Shinhotaka. I started hiking around 9:15am. My original plan was a 3 day trip, staying at Yaridaira-goya the first night and Yarigatake sanso the second. However, after seeing activities on Yamap with most people doing it in 1 or 2 days, I felt lazy doing it in 3 🙃 I decided to do it in 2 days, setting up camp at Yaridaira, then going up to the summit and back the next day. I arrived at Yaridaira at 2pm. Much earlier than expected. I decided I would continue to the 2500m junction where I thought I could pitch my tent. However when I arrived I couldn't find a suitable spot. I probably could have levelled out a platform with my shovel. But given that I was now only 2 hours away from Yarigatake sanso, maybe I should just keep going? It was 4pm, which meant I would arrive just after dark. I had an energy drink, got my head torch ready, and went for it! Because I was carrying my tent and 3 days worth of gear, it was hard work. I wanted to go fast, but I kept having to pause after every 50 steps. The snow was soft after a warm day. However, now that the Sun was going down, the air was getting cold and the wind increasing. I stopped to take some photos of the beautiful sunset. My hands got very cold, and I was still 200m below the hut! I put the camera away, put on some layers, and moved as fast as I could. I got to the hut around 6pm and was glad to find shelter from the cold wind. I was alone in the hut. I had a restless night's sleep. Maybe it was the altitude, maybe it was the loud wind. I was re-thinking climbing that morning. Maybe I wasn't meant to reach the summit. However I poked my head out the hut door and saw a beautiful sunrise, and while the wind was strong, it wasn't strong enough for me to give up. I got my gear ready and started climbing around 6:45am. The route is mostly sheltered from the wind. Within 20 minutes I'd made it to the final ladder. I couldn't believe it, I was actually doing it! When I stepped on to the summit I was very grateful and happy. The view was stunning in every direction. I thought my camera would blow away if I put it on the tripod, but I had to risk it 😂 I spent 15 minutes on the summit, then returned by the same route (the "up" route). I didn't like the look of the snow slope halfway up the "down" route. After descending the summit, I was crossing the shoulder to get back to the hut when a strong gust of wind nearly made me fall over, just as I thought I was safe! I packed up my gear, with a big smile on my face, then descended the steep Hida-sawa. It was turning into another warm day, with the snow becoming quite soft. I moved slow, enjoying my time in this beautiful place. I didn't see anyone until I was back in Shinhotaka.