COVERCHORD LIFESTYLE
Visit a snow-capped mountain
with TEAM Rab JAPAN
COVERCHORD and Rab head to Honzawa Onsen for a one-night stay
The final snowy mountain trip this season
The Yatsugatake mountain range between Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures is adorned with a breathtaking blend of snow and spring sunshine at this time of year.
With the season coming to an end, we decided to embark on a two-day, one-night mountaineering expedition led by the Japan team of Rab, a British outdoor brand, to experience the majestic beauty of the snow-capped mountains one last time this year.
Ascending the mountain at a leisurely pace, we gained first-hand experience of the dependability of Rab’s equipment.
With differing degrees of hiking among our group, it felt as though nature welcomed us all with open arms, accepting us as we are.
Our destination is Honzawa Onsen, Japan’s highest-located open-air bath. At 2,150 meters above sea level, it is known as the “bath above the clouds”.
At 8am one crisp, cool morning, the climbing members gather at Midori-ike entrance to the trail.
We are ready to go, and the hike begins.
After roughly two and a half hours since beginning the ascent, we reached Shirabiso Hut, a designated rest stop.
Our hands and feet were numb from the cold, and the sight of steam emanating from the chimney was a welcome relief.
Upon entering the warm and inviting log cabin, we were served delicious hot coffee and cookies topped with strawberry jam.
Wild birds, squirrels, and other small animals gather peeking through the window as if urging us to eat, like something out of a fairy tale.
After a short rest, we continued our journey toward Honzawa Onsen.
We were warm in our three layers of mountain shell, fleece, and T-shirt.
As we trekked further, our bodies generated even more heat, and eventually, some of us shed our jackets and continued the climb solely in our fleece.
Yama-san and Tomo of the "Rab" JAPAN team.
Their love for the great outdoors was evident as they led the way into the mountains.
Tomo washing his face with snow, a simple trick to cool down during a hike.
The backpack is filled with food, drink, and cooking utensils for today’s meal.
At 12:00, we finally arrived at our destination.
First, let's toast with beer and get ready for the party.
Mealtime is one of the highlights of a mountain trip.
Everyone brought something to contribute to today’s meal.
Yama-san's elegant Roman cuisine and Tomo's hotpot with its mild, comforting broth were the stars of the meal.
Beer, shochu, and wine flowed with the conversation, and plans for the next mountain climbing expedition were already in motion.
We fall into a deep sleep that night.
We wake at 5:30 the next morning and pack for our descent.
As we make our way back home, there is a tinge of sadness that our climbing excursion is drawing to a close.
We decide our next trip will take place during spring or summer so that we can experience a different side to the beautiful mountain scenery.
