Outdoor Gearzine is pleased to announce the first offline event of 2025!
There are people who have never walked on snow with snowshoes or snowshoes, people who have never climbed a snowy mountain, people who want to walk on snowy mountains on skis, people who have always wanted to stay overnight in the snow, and people who want to make a snow cave
If you can climb mountains or hike solo, but are worried about gaining experience in snowy mountain activities on your own, and don't want to pay a lot of money to go on a guided tour, this is the perfect plan for you
The location is Mt. Makihata, a famous peak in Echigo
This is a wonderful location where you can enjoy a variety of activities all year round, from mountain climbing, stream climbing, mountain stream fishing, and camping in the summer, to snowshoe hiking, snow mountain climbing, backcountry skiing, and snow camping in the winter due to the heavy snowfall
At the foot of the mountain lies the quiet "Iwamorimatsu Hut." *As this is a private mountain hut, it is not open to the public
Located just a short hour's walk from the parking lot (you walk along a wide, snowy path that becomes a forest road during the summer. It is a gentle path through the forest that even a 5-year-old child can navigate), this mountain hut has electricity and propane gas, and is fully equipped with a living/dining room, futons and beds, audio equipment, an electric kotatsu, and a wood-burning stove, making it a safe and enjoyable base camp for activities even in the dead of winter
Last summer, Outdoor Gearzine borrowed this mountain hut to hold a stream climbing and mountain stream fishing event, but this time we would like to hold an offline event where people can experience winter mountain climbing in the area around the mountain hut, which is covered in a generous amount of snow
table of contents
Date, time and location
Date and time: February 15-16, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)
Location: Around Iwamorimatsugoya, at the foot of Mt. Makihata, Shimizu, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
*We will provide detailed information about the location, details, and advice on preparations for the snowy mountains and what to bring to those who have registered
Matches include:
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People who have always wanted to try snowy mountains but have never taken the plunge
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People who want to learn the basics of snow mountain walking from an experienced person
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People who want to experience not only hiking in the snowy mountains but also camping in the snowy mountains
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People who want to relax in a comfortable mountain hut while watching the snow
(If you are new to mountain climbing, it may be difficult.)
What I want to do at the event: Try out the snow mountain, try anything!
For now, I'll just write down what I'm thinking right now
[Day 1]
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Walking to the mountain hut on snowshoes (this is mandatory for everyone)
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Dig a big snow cave (you can eat and sleep there if you want)
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Demonstration of pitching a tent on a snowy mountain (those who wish can try sleeping in one)
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If desired, you can practice walking on snowy mountains and basic movements
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A big dinner using local ingredients!
[Day 2]
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Experience snowy mountain climbing by walking on gentle snow fields on snowshoes or skis
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Climbing the surrounding low mountains
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A hotpot party on a snowy field?
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Mountain skiing experience?
The details can be adjusted to suit the members' needs
By the way, what you can do will depend on the weather on the day. But even if various unforeseen circumstances arise, you can rest assured that if an emergency occurs, you can just stay warm in a mountain hut
Those who want to return home on the same day are also welcome (it's not impossible)!
Participation fees and equipment
Regarding the participation fee, standard members will only need to pay 1,000 yen as a mountain hut usage fee.Other members will need to pay the event participation fee plus the mountain hut usage fee, for a total of 2,000 yen
Just to be clear, this is not a guided tour, but rather an offline meet-up between readers, so please bring along the basic personal equipment needed for snowy mountain climbing and keep in mind the fundamental principle of "protect your own life" (if you don't have it, we can rent it for you, so please feel free to contact us). Of course, we will provide full support so that you can have a safe experience on the snowy mountains, so please rest assured on that point
Regarding tents, mats, and sleeping bags, if you want to sleep in a snow cave or tent, you will generally need to bring your own camping equipment (if you don't have any equipment but would like to try, we can lend you a limited number on a first-come, first-served basis)
We also rent specialized snow mountain equipment other than clothing and hiking boots, such as snowshoes, snowshoes, crampons, and ice axes, so please feel free to contact us for more information
In any case, I don't think there is any other event where you can experience this much in a mountain hut that is comfortable even in winter!
↓↓If you would like to participate↓↓
We have now closed the application period as we have received a certain number of applicants. Thank you for your many applications. Please look forward to the next event
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us
↓↓If you have any questions or concerns, please use the Outdoor Gearzine inquiry form↓↓
https://outdoorgearzine.com/contact
Stay tuned!
