My lucky streak of planning time off in advance with my wife and getting nearly perfect weather for every mountain was incredible. I had a streak of about 7 or 8 hikes with consecutive, fantastic weather.

I had recently invested in some camping gear - the days of staying in mountain huts were done. I wanted to have the luxury of my own tent when I went out. And I wanted my maiden voyage to be in the snowy alpine environment. That meant one thing to me: Tateyama.

My last trip to Tateyama in the snow didn’t go as I planned. It was my first time in crampons, the snow was deep and soft. I was slow and unfocused. I started my climb to the summit via the relatively easy (in the summertime) ridge and was quickly stopped. In front of me was a slope of about 70 degrees. It was packed with snow and was the only way up.

Here’s an interesting fact about me: I’m terrified of heights.

Yet there I was, nearly 3000m up, facing a snowy, steep slope, and a 1000m drop just behind it. One slip and I could be in for the ride of my life. Regardless, I gave it a try. And quickly retreated.

When I returned to Tateyama this time, I was told that the summit ridge had little to no snow. A part of me was disappointed, but an even larger part of me was relieved. I wouldn’t have to face my nemesis.

I made my way to the camp area, set up tent, and went out for a light walk around the mountain area. It was a beautiful afternoon and my luck was continuing.

“Perhaps tomorrow’s forecast will be good, too. It’s calling for wind and clouds, but maybe I’ll get lucky.”

I woke up at 5:00am with the sun beaming into the tent after rising over the main peak. I took this as a good sign, and slowly got ready. I set out shortly after 6:00am and enjoyed a nearly perfect sunny stroll towards the top of the mountain.

As the terrain started to get steeper, the winds picked up. Then the clouds moved in. Then it got real.

Just below the summit ridge I had to seek refuge behind a snow drift that had built up on a hut. The winds were already surpassing 60kmh and it was forecasted to get even stronger. As I started up the ridge, I was stopped cold in my tracks again. It was the same snowpatch. This time with winds.

I paused and looked at the time, trying to remember when I had to be back at camp to get ready to leave. It was only 8:00am, I had plenty of time. Then my head started messing with me.

“You know, the wind’s kinda annoying. Isn’t it? Besides, there’s no visibility. What are you going to see up there? Makes no sense to go! And it’s going to get worse. Just head back, you’ve burned a few calories, had a good workout, let’s go home.”

And I almost gave into this voice. As I was getting ready to leave, I heard another voice:

“Put the crampons on. Go. Don’t leave in defeat again. Clear this patch and see how it looks. Get up there. Put. The. Crampons. On.”

I did, and cleared that slope. The rest of the climbing was tough work, but fun. The winds gradually intensified and by the time I was heading down they were at a full 110kmh. Despite this I was having fun - I had conquered the mountain and my own inner fears. Anything is possible if you’re willing to push yourself.

This hike was on April 23, 2022. Total time was 6 hours, 15 minutes, and 49 seconds, covering 9km and an elevation gain of 1,290m to 3003m. The weather started out mostly sunny and turned into a complete fog out with winds exceeding 110kmh.