[Connected Travelogue #105] Mt. Iwaki Climb Part 2 - And to the Summit -

My first snow valley.

And this place is now dangerous to even descend.

Ah... what a trial this is.

There is no way I can climb this in these shoes; I'd just slip. It's too dangerous.

Wait a minute...?

I have that.

Crampons.

Yes, these are the tools needed for walking on snow.

After my retreat at Mt. Ishizuchi, this was the first item I bought.

If I had had crampons back then, I wouldn't have had to give up in the face of the snow.

And this time, I had brought them with me...!!

...W-why did I bring these?

Honestly, I don't think I realized the mountain would be in this state...

W-well!
I really want to praise my past self for bringing them!
If I didn't use them, crampons would just be uselessly heavy!

The world is full of mysterious things...

(Everyone, make sure to properly research mountain conditions!!)

I strapped the crampons to my boots and began to climb the snow valley.

With this, it's a breeze or so I thought!!!

...

Wait, this is actually pretty slippery...?

There are various types of crampons.

Mine are 6-point.
There are also 4-point, 10-point, and 12-point ones.

Furthermore, they can be categorized into light crampons and full-scale crampons, but anyway, online information said that "6-point crampons are fine for summer," but...

I feel a bit uneasy on my feet, but I suppose if I didn't have crampons, it would be even more slippery.
Even these crampons are digging about 3cm into the snow.

Instead of acting like it's easy, I should just proceed steadily, one step at a time.

...But man, walking on a snow valley is tiring.

I've climbed a bit, so I'll try looking back.

That's terrifying...!!

It might be hard to tell in the photo, but it's just a regular slope.

If I slip here, wouldn't I just fall all the way down to that stream earlier...?

No, this is no time for taking pictures.
I'd better hurry up and finish the climb.

Dirt!!

Dirt is the best!!!

Have I ever been this grateful for dirt ground before?

I take off my crampons.

Goodness...

I honestly thought I was going to die.

(Are the people who climb winter mountains crazy or something?)

Stomping on the reassuring Mother Earth, I start climbing again.

There was a lake.

It feels like a blessing from heaven for those attacking the summit.

(A lift...?)

Kazan Hut reached.

This was built following a tragedy that befell a high school mountaineering club in Akita.

Unlike in the past, information and equipment are superior now. I need to get my act together too.

I climb the rocky path.

I hadn't been refueling at all, so I eat some gummy candy while I go.

If I climb this, it's finally the summit...!

Mt. Iwaki summit, reached.

I don't know how much time has passed since my defeat at Mt. Ishizuchi, but I have accomplished it.

The time is exactly 12:00.
4 hours to the summit seems to have been correct.

Now then... what is the view from the summit like...!?

Well, I knew it would be like this, but still.

Oh, is this the shrine I saw when I zoomed in from below?

And so, the goal has been achieved.

Now, let's head back.

When mountain climbing, you must be especially careful during the descent. It's slippery and easy to lose your balance.
Because it's slippery and easy to lose your balance.

I'll stay more focused than ever.

...

Wait... head back...?

How am I supposed to get back...?

I hadn't expected there to be a snow valley like that in the first place.
(Though for some reason, I did bring crampons)

Naturally, I intended to use the same trail for the return trip as I did for the ascent, but...

You mean I have to "descend" that snow valley...?

No, no, I'm going to die, I'm going to die.

In my current exhausted state, I'm confident I could die three times over.

……And the surroundings are becoming enveloped in clouds…….

What on earth is going to happen!!

To be continued in the next episode……