Crack Climbing in Nabari, JAPAN!

Through a remarkable series of events, and the kindness and openness of some Japanese trad climbers, I was invited to climb at a newly developed crag in Nabari, Mie, Japan! Even though it was the day after my flight to Japan and I had little to no sleep, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to climb on some real rock in the motherland!

So I woke up at 5am and caught an hour-long express train from Osaka to Nabari. I met up with my contact Saya and about a dozen other extremely friendly Japanese climbers. We ate a quick breakfast, picked up some snacks, then headed straight to the crag! The approach involved crossing a freezing river. One of the climbers was very kind and let me use her sandals so I wouldn't get my shoes wet. Thank you Kimi! After that it was a quick but slippery scramble up the mountain to the top, where a beautiful wall of cracks loomed tall and proud against a clear blue sky. It was then that I was told that we'd be doing crack climbing, and the struggle began.

There weren't any recordings of myself climbing, which I'm very thankful for. I'm also grateful that I never had to place gear, the Japanese climbers led and I followed on TR. (I've placed maybe two pieces of gear in my life!)

If any of the Japanese climbers see this video, I just want to say ARIGATOUGOZAIMASU, this was one of the best days of my life as a climber. I was overwhelmed by the kindness of these natives inviting a stranger to their newly developed crag. Mahalo to Hidetaka for introducing me to Saya, and thank you Saya for introducing me to the Nabari climbing group! I hope to come back one day and redeem myself on the crack climbs! You are all welcome to come to Hawaii, I will gladly take you all climbing :)