ただ登るだけじゃない！料理や地図読みも問われる過酷な高校登山大会で旭川東が男女5連覇　知性と絆で2度目の全国制覇へ挑む舞台裏

Asahikawa Higashi High School Mountaineering Club. In 2024, they won the national championship, making them one of Hokkaido's top mountaineering schools. The club president is second-year student Haruma Yamazaki. He started mountaineering after entering high school. This year, 2026, they will be competing in the Hokkaido prefectural championships for the first time. In June, 10 days before the prefectural championships, a practice climb was held on Ashibetsu-dake. To build up their stamina, their backpacks weighed approximately 20 kilograms. While in the mountains, they not only walk but also pay attention to various things. Asahikawa Higashi High School Mountaineering Club Advisor, Teacher Kazumi Iida: "What's this? It's a Yezo spruce." Q. Why pay attention to plants while climbing? Girls' Team Leader, Koyuki Nakamura (3rd year): "If we can identify them, we can answer questions in the competition." They also train to read topographic maps to understand their location. "Around 650m elevation?" Almost correct. Even club president Yamazaki couldn't hide his fatigue from using his mind and body to their fullest. Haruma Yamazaki, Club President (2nd year) "It's heavy. Now that we've come this far, we'll do our best to reach the top." As we gained altitude, there was still snow, but the advisor decided to aim for the summit. Approximately five hours after starting the climb, everyone reached the summit. Haruma Yamazaki, Club President (2nd year) "I'm really tired. I feel a sense of accomplishment." With preparations complete, they will take on the Hokkaido-wide tournament, aiming for a consecutive victory. Hokkaido High School Mountaineering Competition: Judging Criteria June 24th, Shari Town, Okhotsk. Approximately 100 athletes from 17 schools that had won their regional tournaments gathered at the campsite. The high school mountaineering competition isn't just about climbing; various activities are judged over three days, and the total score is determined by a point deduction system. Judging began immediately upon arrival. The teams must set up their tents within 10 minutes and be judged rigorously on whether they are safe to stay in. Judge: "No issues here." Next is the cooking judging. They check things like whether the ingredients are properly managed and whether there is enough fuel. Judge: "It's fulfilling its role in keeping things cool." The girls' team made chicken chili and hot and sour soup. The boys' team... Boy: "It's Korean pancake..." "It's over..." But everything tastes delicious in the mountains. The competition takes place on Mt. Shari, aiming for a consecutive victory. The venue for the Hokkaido-wide competition is Mt. Shari, a famous peak among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. The supervising teacher: "Let's do our best! Let's go!" The boys and girls split up, and all the athletes form a line. The mountain trail involves crossing streams many times, and while some teams fall behind, each school encourages each other as they climb. During the climb, they meticulously recorded the surrounding scenery, plants, and temperature. This record was also part of the judging process. There were times when they deviated from the course. The team leader made the decision to take a detour. Amidst strong winds, the boys' team made their final push. They successfully reached the summit. Without even having time to admire the view, the judging began at the summit. Judge: "What is the name of the flower blooming here?" The mountain climbing competition is a test of both intellect and physical strength—a competition embodying both academic and athletic excellence. The girls' team also successfully reached the summit afterward. The results were announced. Judge Chairman: "First place, Asahikawa Higashi High School." Asahikawa Higashi High School has achieved five consecutive victories in the Hokkaido prefectural competition for both boys and girls. □Results Boys' 1st Place: Asahikawa Higashi Boys' 2nd Place: Kushiro Koryo Boys' 3rd Place: Sapporo Kita Girls' 1st Place: Asahikawa Higashi Girls' 2nd Place: Sapporo Minami Girls' 3rd Place: Sapporo Kita We asked Mr. Iida Kazumi, who has served as advisor for 20 years, about the significance of the mountaineering club. Asahikawa Higashi High School Mountaineering Club Advisor, Mr. Iida Kazumi "Joining the mountaineering club for three years enriches the heart. The most important thing is for them to grow as individuals. They make friends and companions for the future." Students acquire a great deal of knowledge about nature in the mountaineering club and cultivate deep bonds with their companions. Shinya Tsuruoka and Takayuki Suzui were also impressed by the depth of mountaineering. Seina Yonaga (caster): The secret to the strength of the Asahikawa Higashi High School mountaineering club is that they go mountaineering almost every week, and they also study things like tent pitching and map reading at school. Keich...