The first thing I look for when choosing gear is the design.
For Mr. Fujita, hiking—which allows him to exercise while taking in beautiful scenery—is a way to relieve his daily stress. However, climbing also feels like a sport, making it the perfect pastime for someone as competitive as he is. He says that while he aims to improve his climbing grade, he doesn’t see it as a competition.
"Even though everyone is tackling different grades (levels of difficulty), whether it’s a low grade or a high grade, when someone succeeds, we all share in the joy. I just think that’s really wonderful."
The moments when you truly feel yourself growing as a result of repeated practice are truly priceless. He says that being able to share those moments with others is one of the things he finds most appealing about climbing. Mr. Fujita shared a recent achievement that holds special meaning for him.
“There’s a route called ”Mine no Yu’ on Mt. Mitake, just before Okutama, and ever since I first started climbing, I’ve thought the rock formation looked really cool. No matter how many times I tried, I couldn’t do it, but this season I finally managed to climb it. It wasn’t a new personal best, but I was really happy to finally complete a route I’d wanted to climb for so long. I think part of it is that my skills have improved, but I also think getting used to the rock played a big role. Also, climbing is heavily influenced by your mindset. If you think you can do it, you can; if you think you can’t, you can’t. Depending on how you feel, even holds you usually struggle with can sometimes feel not so bad.”
Both rock climbing and mountaineering require specialized gear, and that can certainly be a source of motivation. While functionality is a given, choosing a design you like is also important. Mr. Fujita agrees.
"It might sound a bit cliché to say it’s because of my job, but I really do want to wear stylish clothes and shoes. So, good design is a must. But when it comes to shoes, it’s especially important that they fit my feet well, so I make sure to judge that carefully before choosing. For example, with indoor climbing shoes, I prefer ones that are a bit softer, but for outdoor use, stiffer ones are better. I try out different options and use them for different purposes. Choosing those items is probably the most fun part.”
The bag Mr. Fujita used was the "Refugio Daypack 32L." It is a new size added to the "Refugio Daypack" series, which was redesigned this season. It features two large front pockets and has a classic look.
"When I go to the gym, I need shoes and a change of clothes, so I need a bag with a capacity of about 32 liters. When I go rock climbing outdoors, I carry a mat on my back and wear a backpack on my front. Even then, I found it fit my body well and was easy to use. Also, when I go hiking, it’s convenient to keep snacks and a windbreaker in the front pocket so I can grab them right away."
Climbing rocks is a simple yet challenging activity. That’s precisely why climbers head to the gym to hone their skills and find their own unique routes. While there are countless popular climbing spots both in Japan and abroad, Mr. Fujita says he has a specific place he wants to visit.
"I'd really like to visit Mount Hiei in Miyazaki. I hear there are lots of huge rocks there. It would be great if I could go sometime this spring. Also, I definitely want to go overseas. There's a place called Fontainebleau in France that's considered a mecca for climbing. I've heard there are so many rocks there that even if you lived there your whole life, you still wouldn't be able to climb them all. I'd love to give it a try."
