I went to the Northern Alps for the first time last year and fell so hard for it that I've been wandering mountains ever since. I'm happy I got to visit so many places this year too and return home safely. Jan 11th~13th Yamagata Prefecture Jizodake/Kumanodake (Mt. Zao) The snowfall was so deep I was sinking even with snowshoes. The freezing cold of the Tohoku region made me feel like my fingers were literally gonna rip off... The mountain itself is low so it's not hard, definitely recommend it. The scenery is seriously out of this world (not this photo though).
March 1st~2nd Yatsugatake (Akadake Jizo-oneโ Jizo-oneโ) Akadake in the winter season. My first advanced winter course. Weather was great, felt amazing, scenery was top-tier.
March 9th Northern Alps Karamatsudake The day I learned how quickly the weather in the Northern Alps can change. It was such a clear and pleasant day, then in an instant...
March 30th Central Alps Kisokomagatake It was freezing this day too, but looking at the mountain, all I could think about was the marbling on an A++ Grade Hanwoo ribeye.
April 12th Went to Toyama Prefecture to see the snow-capped Northern Alps behind cherry blossoms, tulips, and rapeseeds. A crazy 1,000km+ round-trip day trip. But unfortunately, it was total 'gas-gas' (foggy). The view just driving there looked like this though. Those Nagano and Toyama bastards, keeping all these nice views to themselves... they should pay more taxes.
April 19th Northern Alps Karamatsudake Went back for a revenge match for the summit view. Finally got to see my beloved Tsurugi.
April 26th~27th Northern Alps Nishihotakadake Leveling up my spring snow skills. My first 'Alps'.
June 1st Mt. Kentoku Sometimes a light day trip is nice.
June 7th~8th Yatsugatake (Amidadake~Nakadake~Akadake~Yokodake traverse) Yatsugatake never disappoints. I really dig the python-like patterns on Akadake.
June 22nd Mt. Mizugaki A light stroll on a beginner rocky mountain.
July 5th~6th Southern Alps Shiomidake The Southern Alps is just a pure test of stamina.
July 19th~21st Northern Alps Minamidake~Daikiretto~Kitaho~Karasawadake~Okuhotakadake The Minamidake-shindo and Shiradashizawa routes are tough but fun.
August 23rd~24th Southern Alps Hijiridake Southern Alps from hell. Again, the South Alps is all about stamina.
August 30th~31st First tent night at Karasawa Cirque. Visited Kitahotakadake again.
Sept 6th~7th Northern Alps Karamatsudake (Summer season) The view from the summit was so refreshing. I must really like Karamatsudake, how many times have I gone now?
September 23rd Mt. Myogi, Gunma Prefecture Last year I almost cried hanging onto Takamodoshi, but after a year of growth, I had a blast doing the full Omote-Myogi course. Itโs really fun confirming your own level-up.
Takamodoshi October 5th Mt. Hiwada during the Red Spider Lily festival. Heard it's the mountain the first Japanese woman to summit Everest used to frequent... The mountain itself is only 302m lol.
October 12th~13th Northern Alps Nishihotakadake Scrapped the Gendarme due to weather and just went up to Nishihotaka. I definitely want to go next year.
November 8th Lightly started this snow season at Mt. Makihata, Niigata Prefecture.
November 23rd~24th Properly kicked off the snow season at Mt. Adatara and Mt. Aizugomagatake in Fukushima Prefecture.
November 29th Kyokakura, Nagano Prefecture.
November 30th Northern Alps Tateyama Peak snowy mountain scenery.
December 7th Mt. Tanigawa Truly the 'Roof of Kanto,' a magnificent snow mountain.
Schedules that unfortunately fell through due to weather or hut reservations: - Northern Alps Nishihotaka~Gendarme~Okuhotaka - Northern Alps Shimonoloka - Central Alps Kisokomagatake~Hokendake~Utsugidake - Southern Alps Akaishidake~Arakawa Three Peaks (3D2N Traverse) - Southern Alps Kaikomagatake (Kuroto-one) - Southern Alps Notoridake - Niigata Prefecture Mt. Myoko/Mt. Hiuchi This year I revisited the same mountains like Karamatsudake, Akadake, Nishihotaka, and Kitahotaka in different seasons. I also revisited places like Tateyama and Mt. Myogi from last year. I went on expeditions to far-off places like Yamagata and Fukushima, and did crazy stuff like driving 1,000km in a single day to Toyama Bay. It was also great to have new experiences like climbing and bouldering. But seriously, no matter how many times or in what season I go to the Northern Alps, it's just so good. Let's all visit lots of great places in '26, prep well, and hike safely!
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