【Deep Dive Chronicle】Jagadake – New Year’s Feast and Winter Descent

Part One: The Morning After

The night before, Masuzawa Hut had been wrapped in the fervor of a New Year’s celebration.

A year had passed since the Noto Peninsula earthquake. I myself had entered Suzu City for medical support just days after that disaster. The scenes I witnessed in the affected areas remain burned into my mind. With these memories from a year ago, I joined my companions to celebrate the new year together.

O had prepared a lemon hot pot that steamed invitingly, while S applied a blowtorch to crème brûlée, caramelizing the sugar’s surface. Inside the hut, with the wood stove’s flames dancing, our laughter continued late into the night. As the alcohol flowed and conversation carried on, the clock hands finally pointed to the depths of night before we at last surrendered to sleep.

The next morning, our awakening was far from refreshing.

We departed the Inland Water Fisheries Experiment Station just after 6:00 AM. My head felt heavy, my body sluggish. The hangover was certainly slowing our pace. Yet looking up at the sky, we saw nothing but clear blue stretching endlessly. No wind, mild temperatures. With such excellent weather blessing us, there was no reason to turn back.

From the Masuzawa Course trailhead parking area, we proceeded to the Funagata-san Masuzawa Course entrance. Twelve people in total—six on skis, six on foot—a larger party than usual. After preparing our gear, we finally stepped onto the snowfield just after 7:00 AM.

Jagadake stands at 1,426 meters, one peak in the Funagata Mountains. The Funagata range forms a vast massif straddling the Miyagi-Yamagata prefectural border, with peaks over 1,200 meters extending from the main summit of Funagata-san (1,500m elevation, one of Japan’s 200 Famous Mountains). In winter, it becomes a heavy snow region, known among ski mountaineers as one of the premier fields in Tohoku.

Part Two: Ascending the Snowfield

We passed Hatasakadaira and climbed through the forest.

With skins attached to our skis, we gained elevation step by step. For hungover bodies, this monotonous ascent was grueling. But we couldn’t stop. The ski group continued breaking trail in silence, with the walking group following behind. Perhaps because of our large party of twelve, the track was quickly packed down, making it somewhat easier for those following.

“Good snow,” one companion remarked. Indeed, the snow quality wasn’t bad. The skins gripped well.

Emerging from the forest around 9:00 AM, the vast snowfield of Ichigunndaira opened before us. The contrast between blue sky and white snow surface was dazzling. We took a short break here. Drinking water, eating trail snacks. My condition was gradually improving.

From Ichigunndaira, we passed through Sanko-no-miya and reached the Sanko-no-miya junction. Sanko-no-miya, located at the midpoint of the Masuzawa Course, is a place with open views suitable for a brief rest. The ridgeline was gentle, with almost no wind. Weather this favorable at this time of year is rare.

“Beautiful weather,” one companion said. I nodded in agreement. Though the hangover’s discomfort remained, the fulfillment of advancing across this snowfield beneath the blue sky outweighed it.

Just before 11:00 AM, we arrived at the Sanko-no-miya junction. Taking about twenty minutes’ rest here, we prepared for the final climb.

Part Three: The Summit and Joy of Descent

From the Sanko-no-miya junction to Jagadake’s summit is roughly a fifty-minute climb.

We ascended through the forest and up the open slope. The snow was somewhat heavy but in acceptable condition for skiing. Though fatigue had accumulated, the summit was right there.

Just past noon, we reached Jagadake’s summit. The mountain’s name means “Snake Peak,” and 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the Japanese zodiac—a fitting destination for our New Year climb.

The 1,426-meter peak was blessed with 360-degree views. Funagata-san, Izumi-ga-take, and even the distant Zao range stretched out snow-clad before us. Beneath the blue sky, the snowfield spread like a white sea. All twelve of us gathered at the summit for a commemorative photo. Smiles overflowed. The previous night’s feast, this morning’s suffering, and now this sense of achievement—everything was packed into this single mountain journey.

“All right, let’s ski,” someone said.

The ski group began the descent first. Surrendering ourselves to the slope, following gravity as we carved turns. Though not the finest powder, the joy of skiing remained unchanged. We passed through the forest and swept down Ichigunndaira’s vast slope in one go. Wind caressed our cheeks, the sound of ski edges biting snow was pleasant.

The walking group descended at their own pace as well.

Near Sanko-no-miya, there was a slight climb-back. We decided to ascend this short distance with skins off. Though brief, it was taxing for hungover bodies. Combining skating and kick turns, we somehow made it up. Even sections that appeared flat consumed more energy than expected when ascending without skins.

“This is tough,” one companion said with a wry smile. I felt the same. But attaching skins for such a brief climb-back seemed troublesome. We silently moved our legs and conquered the ascent.

We resumed the descent. Down the vast slope toward Ichigunndaira. From here, the gentle descent continued.

Just after 1:00 PM, we passed Hatasakadaira, returning to the Funagata-san Masuzawa Course entrance around 1:40 PM. Total movement time: approximately six hours. For hungover bodies it felt long, yet it had been a fulfilling day.

Returning to Masuzawa Hut, we put away our gear. Satisfaction showed on our companions’ faces. Both last night’s feast and today’s mountain journey were etched as memories of Funagata’s winter. The mountain welcomed us unchanged, then saw us off.

北村智明

登山ガイド

日本山岳ガイド協会認定登山ガイドステージ2。ガイド歴10年。東北マウンテンガイドネットワーク及び社会人山岳会に所属し、東北を拠点に全国の山域でガイド活動を展開。沢登り、アルパインクライミング、山岳スキー、アイスクライミング、フリークライミングと幅広い山行スタイルに対応。「稜線ディープダイブ」では、山行の記憶を物語として紡ぎ、技術と装備の選択を語る。