Gunma and Asahidake aimed at in the midwinter.Ryosuke Abe's Behind Story

A mountain that can be seen far in front of Okutone on the home slope
Gunma and Asahidake aiming for the midwinter

In January of this year, Ryosuke Abe and Yamato Maehara attacked Gunma Asahidake in the midwinter. I tried it for the first time two years ago, and this time I challenged the new slope of Motozawa, which I had been aiming for all the time.Along with the riding video of the day, I look back on the behind story with the words of Ryosuke Abe and the photograph of the cameraman who accompanied the shooting.
Text: Ryousuke Abe

When I first challenged this mountain two years ago, I was almost crushed by the fear of being unknown.This time, Gunma Asahidake will be the second challenge.The difference from the time of the first Cherenji was that I was able to aim for Honzawa, which is different from the previous one, because I knew a little about this mountain and had a lot of feelings.

Few people climb Asahidake in the midwinter, so if you can glide through Honzawa, it will be your first decent.That was the reason for igniting the heart I was aiming for.

The slope I'm riding in this movie is the main valley in front of Asahidake Peak, which I've been watching from my home slope, Okutone.It's the slope I've been aiming for.
You will have a total of 10 hours of hike to reach the peak.I started preparing at 2 o'clock in the middle of the night, climbed at 3 o'clock, and headed for Shiragemon (three major rapid climbs in Japan) → Kasagatake → Asahidake on the prefectural border with Yuzawa.

From the day before, I stayed at Doai station with Yamato Maehara and started preparations at 2:XNUMX in the morning.
From the day before, I stayed at Doai station with Yamato Maehara and started preparations at 2:XNUMX in the morning.
6 am.Already climbed the darkness for 3 hours and took a break at the timing of the sunrise
6 am.Already climbed the darkness for 3 hours and took a break at the timing of the sunrise
At 6:30, the sunrise lit up Ichinokurazawa
At 6:30, the sunrise lit up Ichinokurazawa
Shiragemon's face
Japan's three major rapid climbs, the face of Shiragemon

If you slip on this mountain, you have to go up all the way up, so even if you start moving early, you will need to stay in a tent to attack. Stay in a tent for 20 people at -3 ℃.The strong wind that blew in the middle of the night was enough to make the tent float.Eat luxurious meals such as meat and fish in the tent.This is because staying in a tent at -20 ° C needs to be eaten in order to get calories, considering the next day's hike and attack.The time, temperature, and experience there were all my first experiences.
And in the fall of the off-season, I kept food, tents and gasabarumat near a mountain lodge in the middle of the mountain.The reason is that we want to reduce the luggage as much as possible for the attack on the day, and we need to raise it in advance in order to have a good meal on the day of the attack.

The morning of the second day.Scouting the slope you aim for in the morning from the base.At night, the wind was so strong that I felt scared, and if I hadn't piled up the walls a little, I would have been blown away.
The morning of the second day.Scouting the slope you aim for in the morning from the base of the tent.The wind was so strong that I felt scared at night, and I would have been blown away if I hadn't made a wall with snow.
Hike further than the base towards the slope
Hike further than the base towards the slope

In January 2018, I and Yamato Maehara were finally able to attack Motosawa of Mt. Asahi safely.This slope has a better terrain than the slope, and it was just like a park with natural terrain.And this attack felt good and I was able to accomplish everything.

Cliff and line where Ryosuke Abe started to jump from Asahidake peak and jumped first
Cliff and line where Ryosuke Abe started to jump from Asahidake peak and jumped first

I think this is all thanks to Yamato Maehara's nice plan as a buddy.We will continue to pursue new slopes with him and Mt. Asahi, and are planning to attack in February as well.As a person who continues to pursue local Minakami, I would like to continue to challenge myself so that I can introduce you to the depths of the mountains in this area.

Tonbag who depoted food and tents in a mountain lodge in the fall and buried them in the snow.I drag the luggage that couldn't fit in here and drop it all at once."Extreme ton bag" where luggage was taken many times on the way
A ton bag that was depoted with food and tents in the fall and buried in the snow near the mountain lodge.I drag the luggage that couldn't fit in here and drop it all at once."Extreme ton bag" where luggage was taken many times on the way
Downhill in the evening.Two people work together to lift a steep slope
Downhill in the evening.Two people work together to lift a steep slope