While most of the Japan trip group returned home after ten days of temples, trains, and cultural immersion, Senior School teacher Mr. Norman Dods took a different path - literally. Fuelled by his passion for mountain running and alpine exploration, he extended his stay to tackle some of Japan’s most iconic peaks over four intense, unforgettable days.
His first challenge came almost immediately. After parting ways with the group on July 3, Mr. Dods encountered unexpected rail cancellations due to heavy rain. Arriving in the alpine village of Hakuba a day behind schedule, he was warmly welcomed by the owner of a local Airbnb who offered him a quick breakfast and helped arrange a taxi to the trailhead. From there, the real adventure began.
On July 4, he climbed Mt. Shirouma (9,620 ft) - a popular but technical ascent in Nagano Prefecture. The route included a glacier crossing with deep crevasses and a harrowing rockfall incident narrowly avoided by climbers nearby.
“There was a moment of real tension on the mountain. You didn’t need to speak the language to understand the fear and relief we were all feeling,” Mr. Dods recounted.
After summiting both Mt. Shirouma and neighbouring Mt. Korenge (9,075 ft), he spent the night at Hakuba Sanso, a remote mountain hut perched near the summit - an immersive experience where he was the only foreign climber. With traditional Japanese meals, lights out at 7:00 pm to conserve energy, and howling mountain winds outside, it was a far cry from city life.
The following day, Mr. Dods descended over 7,000 feet through alpine trails and back into Hakuba, passing the ski hills used in the 1998 Nagano Olympics. After collecting his luggage, he returned to Tokyo, just in time to catch an overnight bus to his final destination: Mount Fuji.
Starting the climb at sunrise on July 6, he summited Japan’s most iconic volcano (12,389 ft) under clear skies. “It wasn’t the hardest or the most fun climb, but there’s something special about standing on top of Mt. Fuji. You really feel the symbolism of the place,” he noted.
Along the way, he passed mountain huts, vending machines at altitude, and a price-per-use toilet system that increased the higher he climbed - quirks that perfectly captured the blend of tradition and modernity he had seen throughout Japan.
By the end of his solo journey, Mr. Dods had covered nearly 50 km of high-altitude terrain, climbed and descended three mountains, and gained a newfound appreciation for Japan’s vast geography and complex logistics. “This trip reminded me just how big Japan really is,” he said. “I’m proud I pulled it off. It was a challenge, but one that delivered everything I was hoping for.”
Contributed by Parveen Loodu, Communications & Marketing
Adapted from Spirit Magazine - Fall 2025