[Central Alps] Mt. Shogigashira | Snowy ridges and grand vistas beyond the long climb, a challenging winter day trip

Introduction

Mt. Shogigashira is one of the 100 High Mountains located in the vanguard of the Central Alps.
Although its elevation is not particularly high, it is known for its challenging climb and excellent views.

On this day, I headed to the snowy Mt. Shogigashira, a peak I had wanted to climb for some time.
With a distance of about 20km and a cumulative elevation gain of over 1,800m, it is quite a substantial trek just looking at the numbers.

After climbing through the long forest zone and passing the tree line, what awaited me was
an open landscape that made me instantly forget all the fatigue I had felt until then.

In this article, I have summarized the course conditions, equipment,
and the difficulty and charm I actually experienced while walking the Katsurakoba route in winter.

I hope this will be helpful for those aiming to climb Mt. Shogigashira in the future.

Hiking Summary

• Mountain Name: Mt. Shogigashira

• Mountain Range/Area: Central Alps

• Date: February 23, 2025

• Weather: Sunny (with periods of fog on the ridge)

• Course: Katsurakoba Trailhead round trip

• Distance: 19.7km

• Cumulative Elevation: +1,828m / -1,831m

• Activity Time: 8 hours 09 minutes (32 minutes of rest)

Overall Route Map

Reasons for choosing this mountain

• As one of the 100 High Mountains, I had been interested in it for a long time

• Climbing the snowy Mt. Shogigashira was one of my goals for this year

• A substantial route that offers a full day of hiking even in winter

• If conditions are right, you can expect grand views of the Southern and Central Alps

Course overview and impressions

Trailhead to Otaru Emergency Shelter

The start is near the Ogurogawa Valley Campground.
Since the campground is closed in winter, I used the parking space nearby.

The forest road to the Katsura-koba trailhead had some icy sections, so I put on chain spikes halfway through.

Once on the trail, the tracks were well-defined.
As expected of a popular mountain, it was reassuring to see many people ahead of me.

As I gained altitude, the snow became more powdery.
The long climb through the forest felt like a true 'Alps-style endurance test'.

The area around Otaru Emergency Shelter was calm with little wind, making it a place to catch my breath.
I switched to crampons here.

Otaru Emergency Shelter to Mt. Shogikashira (Ridgeline)

After crossing the steep climb known as Munatsuki-hatcho,
the sky gradually opened up, and the mountain ranges of the Southern Alps began to appear.

The sense of liberation the moment I crossed the tree line was exceptional.
It was a view that instantly blew away all the fatigue I had felt until then.

Once on the ridgeline, Mt. Shogikashira was right in front of me.
The area toward Mt. Kisokomagatake was covered in clouds,
but the presence of the surrounding mountains was still impressive.

I finished the final climb and reached the summit of Mt. Shogikashira.
A feeling of 'I finally made it' welled up naturally.

Descent

I returned via the same route.
The path that felt long on the way up didn't exactly fly by on the way down,
but it was still a distance that made me think, 'That really was a long way.'

On the way, I had a chance to chat with someone I had met on the ridgeline,
and I felt that such chance encounters are part of the joy of mountaineering.

I returned safely to the Katsura-koba trailhead,
feeling satisfied to have achieved my goal of climbing the snowy Mt. Shogikashira.

Course conditions and points of caution

• There are icy sections near the forest road and trailhead (chain spikes recommended)

• Crampons are recommended from near the Otaru emergency shelter

• Both distance and elevation gain are significant, so pacing is important

• The ridgeline can become foggy or windy depending on the weather

• Daylight hours are short in winter, so starting early is safer

Equipment notes (for this day)

• Chain spikes (forest road to trailhead)

• 12-point crampons (from Otaru emergency shelter onwards)

• Hard shell (for ridgeline conditions)

• Winter gloves (multiple pairs including spares)

Reflections

Mt. Shogigashira in the snow was one of my goals for this year.
The long ascent and significant elevation gain are by no means easy, but
the scenery beyond the tree line is truly a reward.

I would like to climb this mountain again on a day with good conditions,
this time when Mt. Kisokomagatake is clearly visible.

For those who are confident in their physical fitness and
are looking for a "winter mountain where you can really hike,"
I would definitely recommend this peak.

Reference links

Another steep climb in the Central Alps that left an impression.
▶︎ [Central Alps] Mt. Mugikusa | Winter mountain record with 1,450m elevation gain