We followed alpine photographer Kaoru Chiba, who has been a loyal user of our clothing since the brand's launch, and documented his mountaineering adventures on a variation route to Mount Ryuou (2,872m), a route more suited to experts and located on the opposite side of the traverse route starting from Mount Oyama (3,003m), the main peak of the Tateyama mountain range.
He continues to visit the same mountain again and again in pursuit of the twilight sky (magic hour) and the mountain ridges that emerge in three dimensions. In addition to mountaineering/hiking, he is also actively involved in climbing, and focuses not only on photography but also on video production.
In the afternoon of the first day, we planned to climb Mount Oku-Dainichi (2,611m) if the weather was good.
The weather forecast for this mountain trip had predicted cloudy skies with rain throughout the day, but contrary to the forecast, it was sunny during the day.
The main peak, Mt. Oyama (3,003m)
It looked like there would be sunny skies from the morning through the afternoon of the second day, so we prepared and headed towards Mount Ryuou (2,872m).
Walking along the variation route, the East Ridge
The temperature on the second night dropped to minus 4 degrees Celsius.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to see the scorching sky and ridgelines on this trip, but his adventures continue. In early January 2026, he plans to start selling his first zine, featuring all the mountain photos he has taken so far.
STARRING: KAORU CHIBA
