Stunning winter scenery from the summit of Mount Tengu-Dake, captured in a video by Sachi-san.
Summary of the Trip; Feburuary 15th,2025
4:30 a.m. – Departed for Shibunoyu Onsen Ryokan.
Parking information: The lot opens at 6:00 a.m., with space for about 30 vehicles. The fee is 1,000 yen per day, payable in advance at the ryokan.
6:30 a.m. – Started hiking.
It took about 30 minutes to reach the first fork, where the trail meets the Karasawa Kosen route. Another 30 minutes later, We reached the second fork, eventually arriving at Shirayuri Mountain Hut around 8:00 a.m.
8:15 a.m. – Began the real climb.
We traversed two sections of rocky terrain along the ridge, moving up and down before safely making our way through the forest. Beyond this point, the trail grew steeper, with no trees—only deep snow and rocks.
9:30 a.m. – Reached the summit of East Tengu-Dake 2,640m
The most challenging part of the climb was near the summit, where the terrain became even steeper and more technical. Using crampons and ice axes, we carefully navigated the rocky slopes, relying on our hands for support and placing each step with caution. A single slip could have resulted in serious injury. Despite the difficult conditions, we successfully reached the summit at 9:30 a.m. without any incidents.
10:30 a.m. – Reached the summit of West Tengu-Dake (2,646m)
After reaching East Tengu-Dake, we continued our traverse to West Tengu-Dake, following the ridge for about an hour, with a descent and another climb. From the summit, Sachi and I enjoyed breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding mountains—a truly picturesque sight.
Afterword
Thank you, Sachi-san, for all your hard work and effort in preparing for this trip. This time, we completed an almost non-stop round trip in just seven hours. I know it was a tough challenge, and you ended up feeling unwell from exhaustion. However, despite the difficulty, you never once fell behind my hiking pace.
To Satoko-san
Unfortunately, you decided to sit this one out as it didn’t match your skill level, and we completely respect your decision. Our meetup welcomes hikers of all levels, and Sachi and I are always happy to support you. We look forward to seeing you at the next event!
To my students, Hanami and Satake
I will keep my fingers crossed for you guys. Good luck with the entrance exams!
