BIG CANYONING SEASON

its about as far from ice season as it gets right now.

+30c days, high humidity and temperatures at 2500m getting to around 20c makes any ice formation, even in Japan, impossible.

BUT theres still stuff to do. BIG stuff that like ice climbing, few other people are doing, far from the over-crowded outdoor ‘adventure’ meccas that is all many ever see of Japans wilderness.
over the summer we will be running some of the winter climbing areas as canyons – same place, through the looking glass.

waterfalls that we climb in winter we now rappel. ice sheets we edged around we can now swim across. all the down jackets and goretex pants are now replaced by wetsuits and boardshorts. the sub-zero nights huddled in frozen tents are now spent warm, swinging in hammocks. that frozen lost kingdom of winter ice comes alive as

these are serious canyons, just as comitted and remote as the climbing in winter. amazing places few ever get to see. like the winter version most are 2 or 3 day undertakings, with solid approaches and total self-sufficiency – not like the pussy 1hr trips some companies are selling as ‘canyoning’.

our interest was sparked with clients asking what the gullies and waterfalls were like in summer。
so we had a look and i will tell you now, they are amazing.

$$$$$
cost is 30,000 yen per person per day with the usual discounts for more than 3 people or 3 days. yeah, its a bit expensive – but for it you get the real deal, in remote places, with qualified guides, specialized gear and ‘A-list’ access. no crowds of punters guaranteed.

like always, this covers all the pro gear, guiding, permits and training.
what you need to bring is:

• hat
• minimum 4 liter water carrying capacity (approaches are hot and dry)
• trail running shoes (please no hiking boots or ‘special’ canyoning shoes)
• large day pack (40L is good)
• change of clothes AND warm layer (you dont want to be wet all the time)
• several dry bags (real ones, no garbage bags)
• hammock (mexican/parachute hammocks will do, but ones with bug mesh are much better)
• food for each day (we will provide stoves – no fires)
• sun cream
• bug cream
• bear bell (no joking)

be prepared for lots of walking, lots of rappelling, lots of swimming.