The Spear of the Kita Alps

Standing at 3,180 metres, the majestic Yarigatake (lit. ‘Spear Peak’) is Japan’s fifth tallest mountain and one of the Kita Alps’ crowning jewels. With Kamikochi as my starting point, I proceeded along the Azusa River and up snow-padded Karasawa Cirque. From there, it was a climb to Yarigatake-sanso, where I lodged for the night and summited at dawn. It is a proper challenge in May, but the trail is – without exaggeration – stunning at every step.