Start of Spring

This past weekend I had had enough. It was time to go back to Mizugaki and see what the conditions were like for myself. It seems like most people here in Japan say and feel that Mizugaki is too cold to climb in the winter and early spring. Over the past three years that I have gone up to Mizugaki and sent some of my hardest problems and lines this time of the year. Sometimes even starting in ankle deep pow. Once you climb into the sun, the temps were perfect and the rock is even better.

I had not been to Mizugaki since early December of last year. I packed up the family and my buddy Jensen did the same. We drove two hours and arrived to perfect, if not a bit warm, temps. The high was 22C/72F. Warm. With the kids running around playing in the leaves and chasing each other with sticks and my wife, 4 months pregnant with our second child, worked hard at an old project. Needless to say the weather and events that day were better than I could have asked for.

The main parking area is still closed, so we drove down to some secret boulders that I know about and spent the first day close to the ground. Tough I did not send my project, it was a fantastic day out with the family.

The next day we were meeting up with my other buddy Jack, for a bit of bouldering on a rope, at our sport and trad spot that we call the Red and Yellow area. We have about 22 routes here with grades ranging from 5.9-5.13+ now. The potential for new lines is by far not closed. We have been bolting lines here when ever possible. The grade range and the access also makes this crag great to guide at.

With the plum or ume blossoms popping all over Japan and the cherry or sakura blossoms looking ready to burst any day now, I would say that spring has arrived in Japan. I will be heading to Spain for a shoot for two weeks right after a week in Hueco at the end of March. Should be some killer fun! I will keep everyone in the loop as to what is happening and where I am.

Go Climb Something!!!