[September Event Report ②] Start your tent-camping traverse of Mount Houou with Sea to Summit [Now accepting participants for the October event]

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

This week, I went to the September mountaineering event "Starting a tent-camping traverse from Sea to Summit," which was unfortunately postponed due to bad weather.

After discussing the location with the participants, they decided on Mount Houou, one of the 100 famous mountains in the Southern Alps. The theme of this trip was a tent-camping traverse, and for the first time, participants would carry a heavy load of luggage for two days and one night, including a tent, from Yashajin Pass to the finish line at Aoki Onsen, covering a distance of approximately 20 kilometers.

There were three participants, including me. Unfortunately, two of us were unable to make it due to the postponement. I was able to hike with one of them at a different location last week, but I promised to invite the other one back next time.

table of contents

Day 1: Yashajin Pass trailhead to Minami-Omuro hut
Day 2: Minami-Omurogoya hut - Mt. Houou - Dondokozawa - Aoki Onsen
[Announcement] The October tent camping event, "Enjoy Autumn Tent Camping with ZEROGRAM Tents and Gear," is nearing capacity!
Date and time
Number of participants and number of recruits
Location (Choice)
Participation Fees
Equipment to be prepared
Be careful in advance
To participate, please use this application form

Day 1: Yashajin Pass trailhead to Minami-Omuro hut

In stark contrast to last week, the weather forecast predicted clear, clear skies with a mobile high pressure system. This time, we gathered in Nirasaki and approached by taxi, so we didn't have to worry about the parking lot being full, and it was a late morning (although the first departure was at 5am). We arrived at the Yashajin Pass trailhead at 9am, chatting with the driver, who used to be a bus driver for Hirogawara. After a quick get-up, we were ready to set off.

After passing through a gentle forest of beech and oak trees for a while, we soon reached Yashajin Pass. However, the weather was slower to improve than expected, and clouds were rising from below, turning everything white in front of us. The organizers' plan to give participants a spectacular panoramic view of the Shiramine Sanzan mountains at the pass was foiled from the very start.

However, it was so humid. We were all thinking about camping at 2,400 meters, so we were all concerned about keeping warm, but no one had paid any attention to how to protect ourselves from sweat. One of the participants was wearing the much talked about Otafuku gloves, which looked quite good. We all got excited talking about them, and as we walked the long, gentle climb, someone was always talking without interruption.

Along the way, we saw some unwary deer leisurely eating their meal.

I walked through the Southern Alps for two weeks in a row, and it was as wonderful as ever. Surrounded by carpets of moss, ferns that exude a primeval atmosphere, and magnificent conifers such as larch, hemlock, Japanese white fir, and silver fir, I felt like I was part of a vast natural chain. I realized that I really do love this forest.

Today, from Yashajin Pass, we just walked through the forest, but we were able to reach one peak with a great view. Before long, we arrived at our destination, Mount Tsujiyama. However, even here, we only saw a glimpse of blue sky for a moment, so the view was postponed.

I changed my mind and headed to the campsite. I arrived at Minami-Omuro Lodge a little after 2pm, and as I had been a little worried, the campsite was quite crowded, with barely enough space to pitch three tents side by side. However, I managed to grab a spot that was just barely available. No matter where you are on the weekend, you can't escape the worry of fighting for a spot.

It was time to try out the tent, mat, and sleeping bag from Sea to Summit, one of the highlights of this trip.

Looking around, the tents were mostly Montbell and Arai Tents. There were also a fair number of NEMOs. There were also Heritage, Finetrack, Arata, and one or two ZEROGRAMs. I had expected this to some extent, but no one was pitching a Sea to Summit tent, and as expected, most of the tents were domestically produced. Even though Japan has so many excellent tents from around the world, I think Outdoor Gearzine needs to put in more effort to spread the word (there was a single-walled one-pole shelter nearby that seemed to be pushing the limits by any standards, but I wonder if the person who used it survived the night).

The Sea to Summit tents were carefully made to be easy to set up, and as none of the participants had ever camped in a tent before, they were able to set them up very smoothly with just a little advice.

By the way, the tent I used this time, the "Alto TR1/Alto TR1 Plus" tent, was released four years ago, but it was ahead of the trends of the past few years, with a spacious ceiling space, excellent ventilation, and lightweight design. It reviewed on Outdoor Gearzine , so if you haven't heard of it yet, I recommend you check it out.

Sea to Summit also offers excellent mattresses and sleeping bags.

For the mattress, I tried the autumn/winter model of an air mattress that uses "Air Sprung Cell," which has been a long-time recommendation at Outdoor Gearzine. Even though it's thin, it distributes pressure well and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It's now so common that many brands (including Chinese manufacturers) produce similar air mattresses.

We were also able to try out the Etherlite XR Pro Insulated Mattress, which was released this fall and winter and combines the best sleeping comfort with the best insulation.

Isn't it a great event to be able to try out (for free) all the ideal equipment you could imagine for tonight's sleep in temperatures likely to approach freezing, including tents, mats, pillows, and sleeping bags?

At the last event in July, it rained during dinner time and everyone was forced to eat inside their tents, but this time it didn't rain at all and everyone was able to bring their own ingredients, share them, and enjoy a peaceful dinner while chatting.

Day 2: Minami-Omurogoya hut - Mt. Houou - Dondokozawa - Aoki Onsen

I woke up at 4:30. The weather is...

Wow, I had high expectations but this is just too good.

About an hour after we set off, we finally emerge from the forest and emerge onto a ridgeline with a mixture of rocks and gravel. The blue sky spreads across the ridgeline, and we finally get to see the magnificent panorama of the Shiramine Sanzan mountains that we had been wanting to see the day before.

Below you, a sea of clouds spreads out, creating dynamic shadows. Mount Fuji floats above it. It's a view that makes you want to take pictures no matter how many times you see it.

This made me give a fist pump.

Stop for a moment and admire the orange glow of the Shiramine Sanzan mountains in the morning glow.

A snap shot of the first peak, Mt. Yakushi

Kaikoma and the distant Yatsugatake Mountains are clearly visible.

The leaves are starting to change color little by little. The contrast between the colorful trees, the blue sky, and the granite is a testament to Mount Houou.

We will walk along the ridgeline typical of the Southern Alps, where a massive, deep, and magnificent landscape unfolds, and proceed to Mt. Yakushi and Mt. Kannon.

Finally, we paid our respects to the Jizo-dake obelisk and then descended to Aoki Onsen via Dondokozawa.

I thought it would be a good route with many beautiful waterfalls along the way, but the path was steep and a little rough, and the fatigue accumulated from carrying a heavy load up to that point made it difficult to move forward, so I struggled at the very end.

However, this course, which allowed us to encounter different types of nature such as forests, ridgelines, and waterfalls, was more satisfying than we expected, and once again it was a very fulfilling two-day event.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Let's go again!

And thank you to Lost Arrow for lending us their Sea to Summit products!

[Announcement] The October tent camping event, "Enjoy Autumn Tent Camping with ZEROGRAM Tents and Gear," is nearing capacity!

↓↓If you would like to participate, please click↓↓

Enter "Let's camp in a tent at ZEROGRAM (October)"

Outdoor Gearzine holds a variety of activity events throughout the year to allow readers to enjoy the mountains and nature on a deeper level.

Autumn is a great time to hike in the mountains as the weather cools down, so in October we are collaborating with ZEROGRAM, a company that makes a variety of unique, lightweight, and functional gear, including tents and shelters.We are currently looking for members to join us, including people who have never camped in a tent before, to enjoy hiking in the mountains with like-minded friends!

Why not take this opportunity to try out ZEROGRAM tents and other gear you're interested in in the field, and enjoy a refreshing autumn hike with everyone?

Benefit 1! You can try out ZEROGRAM tents, backpacks, poles, etc.

You can try out any tent model sold by Zero Gram. *Please note that there are a limited number of models available for rental, so if there are multiple requests, priority will be given to those who registered first.

Bonus 2! A gift for all participants

Everyone who participated in this event will receive a SUN x Zero Gram collaboration item! It's a fantastic item that can be used as a thermometer, carabiner, and flashlight. If you don't have one of these, you can manage at home, but it's very convenient to have one. Please take one!

ZEROGRAM has told us that not only tents but also backpacks (45L), mats, trekking poles and folding chairs will be available to borrow for this event, so why not take this opportunity to try out a variety of items?

Addition 3! I'm giving away a sample of the deodorizing spray that's the talk of the town (among me)!

We'll be giving away samples of "DASHOE," a brand new eco-friendly, harmless yet highly effective deodorizing spray, which we featured in our previous article on recommended items worth buying. Try spraying it on backpacks, hats, shoes, tents, sleeping bags, and anything else you might be concerned about odors in the field, and experience the benefits for yourself! (In addition to experiencing it on-site, we'll also be providing each participant with a gift to take home.)

Addition #4! Try out the up-and-coming smartwatch "Amazfit" and rent it!

As we've previously covered on Outdoor Gearzine, Amazfit, the up-and-coming wearable device manufacturer from Shenzhen, China, now offers the latest high-end model, the T-Rex 3 Pro 48mm, as well as other smartwatches you might be interested in, available for rent on the day!

I want a smartwatch, but the prices are getting so high I can't afford it anymore... I've heard this a lot recently, but Amazfit is a rising star that has been steadily improving its functionality while staying within a reasonable price range. If you're interested in a solid smartwatch that can be used for mountain climbing, this is your chance to try one out for yourself. Be sure to join the event!

Addition 5! You can also try out tents from brands that have collaborated with Terranova and other events (negotiable).

I want to participate in the October event, but there's actually another tent I'd like to try... If you'd like to try a tent other than ZEROGRAM's, we'll try to negotiate with the manufacturer this time only, so please let us know the manufacturer and model you'd like to use when you register to participate (sorry if that's not possible).

So, there's only about a month left until the event. I personally think this is the best time of the year for hiking, so I hope everyone will apply!

Date and time

October 18-19, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)

*If the weather is expected to be temporary rain, the event will be held and the weather will be cancelled.

In any case, if the event is cancelled due to weather or due to this reason, we will notify you by email by 12:00 on the Friday, just before the event.

↓↓If you would like to participate, please click↓↓

Enter "Let's camp in a tent at ZEROGRAM (October)"

Number of participants and number of recruits

Entries are on a first come first served basis for each date. Applications will be closed as soon as the capacity reaches the limit. If a cancellation is made, we will announce it at any time.

Minimum number of participants per date: 2

Maximum number of participants per date: Approximately 8 people

Location (Choice)

*You may not be able to choose the tent location that requires reservations as it is not yet inquired.

If possible, a mountain with beautiful autumn leaves
Aomosou or Takamiishi Hut or Kuroyuri Hutte From the Tent Area (Shirakoma Pond) or Tengu-dake
Olen Hut - Iodake from the tent site
Fujimihira Hut - Mt. Kanemine from the tent site
From Fukuchan-so to Daibosatsu Pass
...and more

The above is current assumptions, and there is a possibility that the route may not be available here. In other words, you will arrive at the tent site without having to walk very much, and the weather and conditions of the tent site are not strict, making it easy for large groups to stay overnight, and the climbing route itself is not that difficult.

Please note that the route may change just before the event depending on the member and the weather.

We are considering giving lectures on location, details, preparations for staying in a tent, and items to bring, etc. at pre-order online meetings with those who have entered.

These people match:

I've been doing day trips and staying at huts, but I'm about to try staying in a tent (but I couldn't take it on my own)
I've been staying in my own style and would like to have experienced people to teach practical tips for staying in a tent, from tips on choosing tools, how to set up a tent, and detailed camp know-how.
Those who want to experience camping or experience in a tent

As usual, the details can be adjusted in any way depending on the members' wishes. You are free to stay in a tarp or hammock (at your own risk). If anyone wants to try a stay like this, we will support you as much as possible, so we welcome anyone who wants to take this opportunity to try their own camp!

Participation Fees

Participation is conditional on joining the "Standard Plan" membership for one month or more (1,000 yen/month)

Once you join, you can join that month's event free of charge no matter how many times you participate, so please take advantage of it.

(Free for those who have already joined. If you are not a member, please join by the day.

Equipment to be prepared

Basically, we would like you to have each individual equipped with tent accommodation equipment for 1 night and 2 days.

However, this time, be able to participate even if you don't have the tent-night equipment yet our partner brand and Outdoor Gearzine , so that even those who don't have the tent-night equipment can participate.

So, as long as you bring one day climbing equipment and food and drinks, including the equipment you can wear Even if you don't have a backpack that is large enough to stay in a tent, please let us know in advance and we will lend you it by the day of the event.

Be careful in advance

Please note that this event is not a guided tour, and participants must participate at their own risk. Outdoor Gearzine and ZEROGRAM Inc. will not be held responsible for any injuries, illnesses, or accidents that occur during the event.

However, of course, you will be able to provide a safe and secure support to help you stay in a tent, so don't worry about this.

To participate, please use this application form

There are some parts that have not yet been decided, but if you are interested, please apply using the entry form below! First come, first served, so hurry!

↓↓If you would like to participate, please click↓↓

Enter "Let's camp in a tent at ZEROGRAM (October)"

Of course, if you have any questions or questions, please feel free to contact us.

↓↓For questions, please use the Outdoor Gearzine inquiry form↓↓

Outdoor Gearzine Contact Form

If you would like to take this opportunity to stay in a tent, please feel free to join us!