Why I Write a Huge Amount
I am known as a climber who writes a lot.
My First Major Depression
I used to write almost all day, every day. In fact, that was the original title of this blog. I started writing when I was 16, during my first battle with depression. No one around me understood what I was going through. I was attending a high school where 100% of the students went on to university; most of them were children of doctors and lawyers. But my situation was different—my mom was a single mother with three kids, and I was the oldest. Naturally, she struggled financially, and I felt like there was no way out.
Seeking social support, I turned to my school counselor and attempted to transfer to a different school where I could obtain an occupation as soon as I graduated. However, asking for help only made things worse. The school refused my request because it was considered the best school in the area. This left me feeling even more trapped. Without money, how was I supposed to pursue higher education?
It was the hardest time of my life. I wrote endlessly, trying to explain everything to myself and wash away the pain. Writing was the only thing I could do to avoid blaming my mom or life itself. Life felt unbearable from the very beginning.
This blog is a reflection of how much I was hurt. Writing is how I expressed my sadness. If I don't express it, how would anyone understand?
My Climbing Crisis
As you can see, my life was never as easy as it is for most people. Even before adulthood, I had to solve problems that would challenge the average adult. Looking back, I realize the same pattern appeared in my climbing journey.
Before I was fully prepared as a climber, I had to deal with difficult situations such as unsafe belaying and ignorance.
I was scared in Kyushu because no one seemed to have a proper understanding of free climbing. At first, it was just a concern, but now I know it was a real issue.
People in Kyushu lack an understanding of modern free climbing; their knowledge is outdated by 40 years.
I joined the most prestigious alpine club in Kyushu, hoping to find ice climbing partners. However, instead, I encountered this shocking experience: an old, experienced climber sent me a photo, proud of his methods, which turned out to be dangerously flawed.
The photo showed two climbers, with me leading at the top. Why did I see another climber? Because the belayer was belaying both of us at the same time—something I had never heard of before.
Additionally, this was my first time climbing with this belayer, and the guy in the blue jacket was a total stranger to me. Usually, climbers do not attempt multipitch climbs together for the first time.
This incident was just the beginning. One after another, I faced dangerous situations that made me realize:
This photo was actually sent by him so he perhaps assumed this is doing right.
Or he may be a total ignorant. Or he assumed I am the ignorant one so I will not notice how bad this was.
As you can see, this photo shows two climbers at one belay. I was on top and leading.
Why do I see another climber? Because he was belaying two of us at once. I have never heard of such belay.
Also I should mention this is my first time climb with this belayer and the guy in the blue jacket was a total stranger to me. Usually climbers DO NOT climb multipitch at the first time rope together. This was a forced climbing to me.
MOST "EXPERIENCED" CLIMBERS IN KYUSHU ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS.
Examples include:
Providing belay to a lead climber with the belay device attached to a tree.
Sitting on a rock while belaying.
Forcing me to lead when I didn't feel comfortable.
All of these were life-threatening.
Not just this, I had incidents one after another, that suggest
MOST EXPERIENCED CLIMBERS IN KYUSYU IS THE MOST DENGIOURS
like, giving a lead climber a belay which belay device is attached to a tree...
or sitting on a rock while I lead,
or forcing me to lead when I don't want.
All of those are life threatening, not just gaslighting.
The BOLTS are so bad in Kyusyu
This is the bolts in Kyusyu...
It is called "cut anchor". This type of bolt was used a lot in 40 years ago. No one uses in Tokyo and around, including Yamanashi where I learned climbing, so I have never seem this before I came to Kyusyu... the worst news was Kyusyu's developers are still using these, since it is cheap. The strengths is not enough, 5-15 kn at max at best condition, so it is barely the same as cams... a normal size No1 Camelot properly set, provides 15kN.
There are tons of uniquely set, hand made anchors and belay station. So easy-peesy falls like you do in an artificial wall, are no-no.
Artificial walls are not safe if all the belay you can get is this type... I see a way too often in Kyusyu. But my climbers friends say they see this often in Tokyo too.
My point is the advice of
GO SEEKING EXPERIENCED CLIMBER is WRONG!
They are the source of malpractice!
I have seen not 1 climber who claimed "EXPERIENCED" doing a wrong thing in my entire Kyusyu climbing life.
Better advice is "AVOID" them!
Do not be deceived by what they say,
Go seek safe climbing with someone from Japan Free Climbing Instructor Association.
In climbing, good chances are you can get killed, it is not a joke.