Pass hunting is a mountaineering with a special bike peculiar to Japan before MTB was born in America. It is also necessarily becoming a bike culture in Japan to enjoy crossing over a ridge since this country has so many mountains all over the places. Riders climb not only on a paved road, but also on a disused road and a trail, then carry their bikes on a shoulder going upward with your own adventurous instinct.

　Actually, I found all the information on Wikipedia about pass hunting, but whatever it is, I planned to go to Izu peninsula for ‘Ridin’ Birds’ event so I started researching about it by reading report from people who rode and carried their bikes on old paths and unused roads. It was very much interesting to read all these reports and found out that there are so many HENTAI riders (geeks and weirdos) on this planet, which should be a good meaning though. haha.

　At the same time, a friend of mine, who works and lives at ‘Sawarajima Lodge’ in South Alps contacted me that she will no longer work and stay there anymore since the tunnel construction for a linear motor train will start underneath of South Alps mountains and seems that the environment is going to be completely changed after that. I once headed there by my bike from Shizuoka station, but Google map cheated on me on the way to get to the mountain lodge and she needs to pick me up from there… so I only have a bad memory of that place. However, it makes me feel like I needed to go there before every roots will shut down because of the construction.

　Carrying a bicycle on a train and getting off at Shizuoka JR station, then headed north for about 100km to the mountain lodge. However, like everyone knows that it is a straight line toward it but also there is 3,000m summit on the way. Going upward and coming downward is also the same path that I need to take. Funny thing that the address for both location is in the same Aoi district in Shizuoka city. (this district is vertically long from south to north and the northernmost tip of this district will be on top of Mt. Ainodake, 3,189m height. It looks and sounds like a huge fist of Sanzohoshi (Xuanzhuang) in ‘Journey to the West’.

　I was wondering if there are any ways to get out of this straight line.

　I closely look at the map, and I see a place that is a little lower than any places around east side of Nikengoya lodge way farther behind Sawarajima Lodge. I ask myself if I can go there or not.

　Just wondering is not a smart option to get to know about how everything is anyway, so I started pass hunting to reach the peaks such as Dentsuku peak and Naratagoe peak by myself.
　

　　

　

　

　
　A woodland path which no cars are allowed ahead of Hatanagi first Dam is an amazing Jeep road. I enjoyed the scenery and arrived at Nikengoya lodge. I stayed in a tent and woke up in early morning, then headed to Dentsuku Peak.

　
　I didn’t take it seriously and it turned out that it was harder than I thought to cross the peak by carrying a bike. Any people who climb mountain are right next to dangerous situation that they might fall off or get lost, but I take it for granted that carrying bike is much more dangerous than a usual climb. In 2011, almost all plank paths were gone because of flood damage, so it took me 8 hours to get to the peak. If you challenge yourself doing pass hunting on this root, then I would like you to prepare everything perfectly and collect all the latest information of it. I would rather not recommend this hike to anyone else.

　
　After I crossed Dentsuku Peak, I slept out in the open air somewhere around Narata Onsen area. I went through Maruyama forest road which used to be famous 30km dirt road for randonneur riders and off to Kofu city. (Almost all roads are paved already) I was able to see beautiful Mt. Fuji and Shirane Sanzan.

　
　I am going to talk about what I rode for this trip. I almost chose MTB, but I arranged a cross bike for CX race which I used to ride this when I was a messenger. Trustworthy Chris King hubs and Velocity wheel make me feel relaxed. I got rid of water bottle gage and attached JANDD pad instead. Flat pedals and wore a pari of hiking shoes. Chrome back pack that I used to use as a messenger before. I don’t recommend a hiking back pack since core frames inside of it hit your hipbone. I rather focus on lighter load. I would like to try an ultra light equipment in several ways.

　I think its great to use messenger tools since its versatility and make you realize how amazing they are. I think it is very much important to know that all the items from SImWorks are made by people who are at least professional for what they do. Now, I can see a bike and a bag that I want to have for the next level.
　　

　　
　Once your foot touches the ground when you try to climb then you are going to lose. I totally ignored this hill climb rule and see a new root ahead. Although crossing a peak was my intention, but it was totally different from just heading toward a peak. It was hard to carry a bike, but it expands my bike world more to the different way. I think my capacity becomes bigger than ever. Next time? Why not?

　

　
Ride and Report by monjya