Go Climb Something!!!
No matter where the journey takes you, do not forget your camera and climbing shoes.
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Life On The Move
Top Gun
The weather here in Japan has been atrocious as of late. It has been almost two weeks since I have had the chance to get out to climb, shoot and really just be outside.
Last trip was with a close friend of mine that is about to turn 43. He was a professional biker but is retiring this month after 25 years. On par with most of the older climbers in Japan, Nobu san wanted to push himself to and then past his climbing limits now that he has extra time. He chose one of the most popular routes in all of Japan at the grade of 5.13a. Top Gun is located at the amazing Mizugaki in the Yamanashi prefecture. At just two hours away, Mizugaki is well within striking distance from our homes near Tokyo. Mizugaki proves time and time again as THE place to be climbing here in Japan.
Nobu worked Top Gun for three days and on the day that I rode out with him, he sent this wonderfully dynamic line on Mizugaki’s perfect granite in only 7 tries. Nobu’s previous best route was a very technical 12c/d, so needless to say he is very excited on this impressive achievement. I told him that I was very impressed with his tenacity and devotion to climbing and that I was proud of him to have climbed this tough 5.13a. He replied in a very Japanese selfless manner, “Many climbers climb 5.13a and I am excited to push my self into the same level. Maybe one day I will be an expert climber to, just not yet.” I replied “At 43 and with this send Nobu san, you have arrived at their level. Gamba!”
Again today the weather is terrible. It is going to be a long day editing, blogging, and pulling on plastic. I hope that you have clear skies and are able to find dry stone.
Go Climb Something!!!!
