Daikiretto, Mountain cliff in Matsumoto, Japan.
Daikiretto is a cliff face between peaks in the Northern Japanese Alps, running through jagged rock walls and narrow passages at around 1000 meters (3280 feet) elevation. The route follows a ridge with steep drop-offs and passes through several towers of gray stone.
Mountaineers marked the passage in the 1920s as part of opening the Northern Alps to hikers. The route has remained a key crossing between two mountain lodges since then.
Japanese climbers developed techniques over decades based on the local rock formations, and guides still teach these methods today. The approach reflects the close relationship between people and mountains in this alpine region.
Those attempting the route should have experience in alpine terrain and use ropes and safety gear. Access is not possible in winter and early spring due to snow and ice.
The narrowest section forces hikers to move sideways with their backs to the rock wall while both sides drop steeply for several hundred meters. Some sections require gripping fixed chains anchored into the rock.
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