Late fall, Saku, on rope

November marks a frantic time, using every last chance to get in the mountains before the frost dusts them.  So a new crag, and the chance to get on rope, it couldn’t be turned down.

Only 30-40 minutes from Saku eki, our friend from the area met us at the station and led us there.  Out into the orange-painted countryside, we enjoyed views of Mt. Asama and the Yatsugatakes on the way.  On just a small, unsuspecting, farmer road near what looked like an abandoned elementary school, it’s a crag only local climbers know about (perhaps intentionally).

Unlike much of the other rope faces in Ogawayama and in Nagano, this one wasn’t dominated by slab.  A nice change.

No guidebook and no ratings, we just got on the wall and worked it out. Been awhile since all harnessed-up, but cold rock feels good on the hands.

photo by Natsuko Okaniwa

photo by Brian O’ Donovan

Beautiful colors, a touch of sun, and a good struggle with some rocks. It was the last day out for the season, and everything we could have asked for.