New short movie released!

A new series for The North Face Japan is now on-line for viewing! Called Mountain Basics, Vol. 1 is focused on Mt Fuji. Locals guides talk about why they love the mountain and what you need to be prepared to hike Japans highest peak. It is very basic information so those who already enjoy trekking and hiking will probably not be interested in the info provided, but there are some nice views of Mt. Fuji and it never hurts to review the basics!

Shinya’s guide service

Long time Car Danchi crew member Shinya Nakagawa is now mountain guiding year round in the Asahikawa area. Based in Higashikawa at the base of Asahidake he is leading tours and days trips in the area. If you plan a trip to the area look him up it will be well worth your time to have him guide you around in any season! Check out his blog and site for more up to date info!

Outdoor Life Support

Mountain Party at On Cafe

Tomorrow we are holding a season ending party at On Cafe. If you are a skier, snowboarder, or just a mountain lover come by for some cheap drinks and a chance to meet like-minded people! We’re planning to have these mountain parties at the beginning and end of every season.

R.I.P

Heavy day for mountain lovers yesterday. A total of 10 people died in one night on the Tokachi mountain range. A party of 19 on Tomuroushidake got caught in bad weather and lost 8 people. A separate solo climber also died, and then on a different mountain further north another climber died as well. A dark day here on the north island. All the victims were from outside the island and obviously not prepared for the cold temperatures and bad weather. Please be extra careful when you go mountain climbing, as it may be summer, but it is a cold summer this year in Hokkaido and the mountains can be very very cold at night. Rest in peace mountain lovers.

Japanese news story here.
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Invite photo

This industry only exhibition just ended yesterday in Tokyo.  The North Face used one of my photos from Tateyama as the invitation flyer image.  I like the way it looks with the logo on there.  Amazing how a logo placement can make or break a photo.  Digital photo shot with D2X last spring and turned to B&W later.
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Cross-training underway in Jozankei

My new cross-training regimen is well underway! That is cross-training between mouse clicks and mountain biking, blogging and jogging, sucking up to sponsors and swimming at the pool! During the editing of Car Danchi 3, I made sure to get out and run or do something every morning before hitting the computer. Now that my schedule has lightened a little, I am trying to really get in some serious outdoor exercise. Today I took a short bike ride from my house to the trail head of Kotengu mountain which climbs to 765 meters. Made it from my house to the top in about an hour, and with 800 steps on the course it is not an easy one, great view though! Nice to be up, out and back home before 8am!

Below you can see Tenguyama the bigger brother in the distance.  I climbed that two years ago with Ue and Deshi,  and it was a good climb as well.

The dam with Jozankei in the background. Sure hope the dam, never cracks …