[Northern Alps] Gendarme, Daikiret, and Mt. Yari: A 2-Day 40km Traverse | Difficulty, Danger Zones, and Personal Experience Route

I hiked the core of the Northern Alps, including Gendarme and Daikiret, as a 2-day 40km traverse starting from Shinhotaka.

In conclusion, this route is

・A rocky ridge traverse for experienced hikers
・Concentration is the most important factor
・Planning and weather judgment are everything

That was my impression.

One of the Northern Alps' premier rocky ridge zones.
I think many people brace themselves just hearing the names.
What I felt after actually walking it was not "fear," but the "joy of focusing."

It was an unforgettable two days spent walking with a racing heart.

▶ I have compiled the scenery I encountered on this traverse in photos
→ [Northern Alps Spectacular Views] Gendarme, Daikiret, and Mt. Yari | Panorama of the Rocky Ridge

The plan and overview of the 2-day Gendarme and Daikiret traverse

This route started from Shinhotaka and followed:
Shiradezawa → Hotakadake Sanso → Gendarme → Hotakadake Sanso (stay) → Kitahotakadake → Daikiret → Minamidake → Mt. Yari → Hidazawa → Shinhotaka
as a 2-day traverse.

Points I kept in mind during planning

• Ensure I reach Gendarme on the first day

• Stay at Hotakadake Sanso to have a buffer in physical strength and time

• On the second day, go as far as Mt. Yari depending on the situation (do not push it)

Rather than "doing it all," I prioritized
leaving room to turn backabove all else.

Hiking Data

• Dates: July 18–19, 2025

• Region: Northern Alps

• Distance: 40.7km

• Cumulative Elevation: +4160m / -4160m

• Activity Time: 23 hours 47 minutes

• Course Difficulty Rating: 104 (Strenuous)

Day 1 | Shinhotaka - Gendarme - Hotakadake Sanso

Points of Caution for the Shiradezawa Trail

You cannot let your guard down for a moment on the Shiradezawa trail.
It features forest roads, narrow traverses, vertical ladders, and boulder fields with many loose rocks.
The upper section, in particular, has a high risk of rockfall, so paying close attention to your footing and surroundings is essential.

Looking back, Mt. Kasagatake was beautiful, and it was a climb where the difficulty and the scenery were well-balanced.
The climb was well-balanced between difficulty and scenery.

Danger Zones and Actual Impressions of Gendarme

After dropping off my gear at Hotakadake Sanso, I headed over Mt. Okuhotakadake to Gendarme.
Personally, the part that made me the most nervous was the first ladder heading toward Oku-Ho.

The Umanose ridge just before Gendarme has a strong sense of exposure, and there are sections where you must proceed step-by-step using three-point support.
Rather than feeling 'scared,'
maintaining focus was the most important thing.

The summit was briefly enveloped in clouds, but a miracle occurred when the clouds cleared while I was having a snack break.
The moment I saw the ridge I had walked and the line that continued ahead all at once, I was speechless.

▶ See the scenery I saw at this time here
→ Summary of the spectacular view from Gendarme

This time, I did a round trip from Mt. Okuhotakadake to Gendarme, but on another day, I traversed from Mt. Nishihotakadake to Mt. Okuhotakadake.
Even for the same Gendarme, the sense of tension and the impression of the scenery change significantly depending on the approach.

▶︎ [Northern Alps] Mt. Okuhotakadake to Mt. Nishihotakadake | A 21.7km Grand Traverse Over Gendarme

Day 2 | Passing through Daikiret and the Traverse to Mt. Yari

Mt. Karasawadake to Mt. Kitahotakadake

Start early in the morning.
The ladders and steep slopes of Karasawadake are the first tense points of the day.

Mt. Yari seen across the Daikiret from the summit of Mt. Kitahotaka.
I naturally found myself thinking, 'If I could just make it there...'

Points of caution for crossing the Daikiret (Hida-naki and Hasegawa Peak)

The Daikiret consists of

• Hida-naki

• Hasegawa Peak

• The climb back up to Mt. Minamidake

and other short, core sections in succession.

None of them are long individually, but
having your concentration constantly drainedwas the greatest difficulty.

While I was desperate just watching my footing,
it was very reassuring when my companion called out, 'I can see the Kitaho Hut up there.'

*For a detailed explanation of the Daikiret, click here
▶ What is the Daikiret? | An introductory report based on my experience walking the Northern Alps' premier rocky ridge route

Can beginners go to Mt. Yari?

By the time we reached Mt. Minamidake, we had plenty of physical strength and time left.
After discussing it, we decided to head to Mt. Yari.

The climb back up Nakadake is honestly tough, but
you can tell that Mt. Yari is gradually getting closer.

There was less congestion than expected, and
I climbed the three ladders and reached the summit of Mt. Yari safely.

▶ Looking back at the ridge I walked with photos
→ Click here for the scenic record of the rocky ridge traverse

In conclusion,
I wouldn't recommend it for beginners, but for those with experience, it is possible depending on the plan
is my impression.

Note: I have previously climbed Mt. Yari via theHidazawa route from Shinhotaka.
▶ [Northern Alps] Mt. Yari | Tent-stay route climbing the Hidazawa from Shinhotaka during the late snow season

Descent | Points of caution for the Hidazawa route

While you need to be careful of loose stones and rockfalls in Hidazawa,
it was a descent path filled with flowers that kept me entertained until the very end.

Equipment and Planning Notes

• Helmet recommended

• Gloves recommended

• Thoroughly maintain three-point support on chain sections and ladders

• Weather judgment is most important (do not push yourself)

Reflections

Gendarme, Daikiret, and Mt. Yari.
Rather than feeling "scared",
the feeling of "I want to walk this again" came first during this mountain trip.

I was able to walk it safely
thanks to the people who maintain the trails
and my companion who walked with me.

I hope this provides a concrete image for those thinking of walking Gendarme or Daikiret in the future.

Gendarme was a place that couldn't be finished in just one visit.
When the route changes, the scenery and the difficulty change as well.

I have also compiled a record of walking from Nishi-Hotakadake over Gendarme to Oku-Hotakadake.

▶︎ [Northern Alps] Mt. Okuhotaka to Mt. Nishihotaka | A 21.7km Grand Traverse Crossing the Gendarme

Related Articles

*For a detailed explanation of the Daikiret, click here
▶ What is the Daikiret? | An introductory report based on my experience walking the Northern Alps' premier rocky ridge route

*Separate from this traverse,
I also have a mountain climbing record of ascending Mt. Yari from Hidasawa.
▶ [Northern Alps] Mt. Yari | A late-season snow tent-camping route ascending from Shinhotaka via Hidasawa

This route is one of the five Northern Alps courses that I personally enjoyed walking.

From scenic traverses to rocky ridge routes and mountain trips into the deepest parts of the Northern Alps, I introduce them based on my actual experiences.

▶ 5 Courses I Enjoyed Walking in the Northern Alps | Introducing Scenery, Rocky Ridges, and Deep Wilderness Based on Personal Experience

Conclusion

Even though my heart was pounding,
I enjoyed every moment of these two days.

The core of the Northern Alps
was a place that left a deeper impression on me than the fear I felt.

Focusing on mountains in Shizuoka,
I walk the ridgelines every weekend.

Rather than flashy mountains,
I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and hikes where I have to read the conditions.

Click here for my past mountain climbing records
▶ Magazine "One Peak at a Time, Mountain Climbing Records"

If you love the mountains,
I would be happy if you followed me.

Until next time, with a record of another mountain.