Can you recommend any tour groups or outfitters for climbing Mt. Oku-hotaka-dake & Mt. Yari-ga-take?

by Kristen
(United States)

Hi Gary! I am traveling to Tokyo in 3 weeks and would like to do some mountain climbing while in Japan. Can you recommend any tour groups or outfitters? I am not finding much online. I am most interested in climbing Mt. Oku-hotaka-dake & Mt. Yari-ga-take, Mt. Ontake-san, or Mt. Senjo-ga-take & Mt. Kai-koma-ga-dake. Thank you for your website, it is very informative!

Kristen


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Hi Kristen,

Thanks for your kind words. For me personally, it's still too early in the season for the alpine country, as I HATE hiking on snow.

These 2 sites are listed on my Japan Links page:
http://www.hakuba-alpine-guides.com/ (specializes in skiing/snowboarding)
http://www.evergreen-hakuba.com/ (see hiking/climbing links toward bottom of page)

But your best bet might be with Roddy McGowan, one of my Facebook friends from Canada, whom I've never met, but apparently he does mountain guiding and posts some amazing climbing pics @ Facebook.

I will contact him & see if he can help you....

Cheers,
Gary


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Dear Kristen,

My name is Rodden ("Roddy") McGowan and I am a fully certified mountain guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (A.C.M.G.) and a member of the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (I.F.M.G.A.). Please check with the A.C.M.G web site to ensure my level of certification and current active status (http://www.acmg.ca/03public/guides/memberlist.asp).

I recently received a message from Gary Wolff concerning your interest in hiring a mountain guide for alpine climbing in Japan.

I charge ¥40,000 a day plus expenses (transport, food, accommodation) for a "normal" working day as a technical climbing guide. Longer days and more "serious" objectives will have to be discussed.

Attached is a PDF of the standard ACMG waiver. Please read this carefully.

If you have any questions about anything please do not be hesitant to ask me.

I am at this very moment packing up to drive to Hakuba village to guide an ascent of the East Ridge of Shirouma Dake {The Shirouma Dake Shuryoo 白馬岳主稜} and I will be back on Sunday evening or so (I am writing this on Friday evening).

Sincerely Yours,
Rodden ("Roddy") Clark McGowan,
A.C.M.G./I.F.M.G.A. mountain guide
Skype: rodden1
Reference: http://www.acmg.ca/03public/guides/memberlist.asp
Facebook: Rodden Clark McGowan
Twitter: Rodden