TNFC Japan Rock Trip Day 1

After this years exciting North Face Cup, several competitors ventured off to the mountains and sea side cliffs of Japan to yet again test themselves. With Yuji Hirayama leading this group of world class climbers that included Daniel Woods of America, Sachi Amma and Akiyo Noguchi of Japan, Jain Kim of Korean, and Jay Koh, Felicia Lim, Judith Sim and Hazlee Muhd of Singapore.

The first day after the comp we all headed to the enchanting seaside area of Jogasaki on the Izu peninsula. The black volcanic rock on the Pacific ocean creates a almost therapeutic effect that could relax a poodle in a barber shot. Everyone grabbed all of their gear and headed down a meandering trail through pines and dense greenery until everything abruptly opened up to the ocean.

Yuji had chosen this area for it’s high concentration of hard sport climbs, all of which very from vertical to extremely over hanging. After everyone stretched and ate a few snacks, people began to couple off and direct their attention solely on the reason they were there, to climb.

While I do not recall the names of any of the routes, which I will change when I can gather them, all of the routes are on great rock and wildly fun. The rock here is blocky which gives way to large perfectly flat jugs to razor sharp crimps. after three or four hard, steep routes most of the climbers were ready for a rest and a long lunch break. Daniel had chosen to take a rest day, so he was on belay and picture duty. He was all smiles the whole day.

Big Ups and Sender Films kept Yuji busy throughout the day shooting him on several different tough lines. Yuji is one of the most amazing people I have ever encountered. He is by far one of the kindest people that I have come in contact with in my life. He will climb a 13d two times for you just because you missed the shot. Better yet, he will spend all day not climbing to show you an area that you are new to while giving you the most contagious smile you have ever seen. Yuji, you are my hero!

Big Up and Sender are also a great group of folks. Brett Lowell and Nick Rosen were the two here in Japan shooting for the Reel Rock 8 tour and I think it is safe to say that the Japan section that they will have is going to be great!!

After a full day of climbing at Jogasaki everyone packed up, did the mandatory climb out and headed for our cars. We all stayed in Ginza that night and rested up for a couple days at Shiobara, where Daniel would try Hydrangea v15.