Can I climb Yari-ga-take and Oku-hotaka-dake solo?
Search this site:             

Can I climb Yari-ga-take and Oku-hotaka-dake solo?

by M
(Singapore)

Hi Gary,I'd been hoping to do the Yarigatake-Okuhotakadake circuit but a friend of mine said that it's really dangerous and that I should at least get a guide. I'm not sure if she was exaggerating or not, but it did make me think twice.

I don't have technical climbing skills, but I have done quite a bit of trekking and mountain climbing. Do you think it's possible to do the circuit, or at least Okuhotakadake via Karasawa solo?

Thanks in advance,
M

Comments for Can I climb Yari-ga-take and Oku-hotaka-dake solo?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 22, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Mt. Tsurugi-dake was a little scary...
by: Gary Wolff

As I recall, Tateyama was a piece of cake, but on the other hand, Tsurugi-dake was a rather difficult slog, including the 2 exhilarating, hair-raising "crab" sections in the last 200 m before reaching the summit.

Kani-no-yokobai (in Japanese, meaning "crawling sideways like a crab"):
https://www.garyjwolff.com/mt-tateyama-and-mt-tsurugi-dake.html#kani

Kani-no-tatebai (meaning "crawling upwards like a crab"): https://flic.kr/p/8FSDRK

Aug 22, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
thank you for the warning!
by: M

Hi Gary,

thank you for the warning re: daikiretto! Reading Laura's account definitely deterred me somewhat... I'll save that portion for when I have an experienced hiking buddy. Or a certified guide.

That said, now I'm torn between Tateyama/Tsurugi and Okuhotakadake (please don't kill me for asking too many question!) Since I still can't find anyone to go with me, would you recommend going up Tsurugi solo (Tateyama seems safe enough)? Or could you recommend where to find a hiking group I can join?

Many thanks in advance,
M

Aug 21, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Not recommended
by: Gary Wolff

​M, doing the Yari-ga-take to Oku-hotaka-dake circuit requires traversing the Daikiretto, the scariest section of mountain climbing​​ I’ve ever done in Japan. If you haven’t already read Laura Dickey's humorous account of this very dangerous section, you really should: Kamikochi and the Daikiretto

Personally, I don’t recommend anyone to climb Japan’s highest peaks solo, but as far as whether you can climb Oku-hotaka-dake via Karasawa by yourself, I guess that all depends upon your own degree of climbing experience and physical conditioning, as each climber is different.

Happy trails and thanks for visiting my site…

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Mt. Oku-hotaka-dake & Mt. Yari-ga-take.

Japan-Texas ebook cover thumbnail
A FREE download at Smashwords



Pattaya ebook cover
Only $1.99 at Amazon
(¥214 at アマゾン日本)




Alaska ebook cover
Only $2.99 at Amazon
(¥340 at アマゾン日本)




GW's road trip ebook cover
Only 99¢ at Amazon
(¥114 at アマゾン日本)




new Climbing Mt. Fuji book
Only $2.99 at Amazon
(¥343 at アマゾン日本)




Only $2.99 at Amazon
(¥343 at アマゾン日本)

 



Let's connect!!

Gary J. Wolff
Facebook badge

View Gary J. Wolff's profile on LinkedIn

My pics:

My videos: YouTube logo



What's New?

  1. Can I leave my large backpack in a locker at the train station and take only a smaller pack with me to climb Mt. Fuji?

    Jul 29, 25 09:27 AM

    The availability of coin lockers depends on a number of factors, including the trail you take, day of week, and time of day of your climb, all of which will affect how crowded it is at the time. You s…

    Read more

  2. Where can I read some personal stories and opinions, both pro and con, by hikers who've actually climbed up Mt. Fuji?

    Jul 29, 25 09:25 AM

    Click link to read Mt. Fuji climber stories going all the way back to 1996.

    Read more

  3. Burger King's new Baby Body Burger!

    Jul 29, 25 09:23 AM

    This new heart-attack-waiting-to-happen from Burger King Japan has FIVE beef patties, weighs 668 grams (23.6 ounces), & has a total calorie count of 1,876. The huge burger alone will dent your pocketb…

    Read more