Climb mountains with your favorite gear - "the SOFT." where you can find smart and practical climbing goods

I climbed with the recommended gear

It's the best luxury to enjoy hot food and drinks in nature. Mr. Michiue's recommended tools do not require the trouble of starting a fire or carrying heavy tools, so anyone can easily start.

This time, I tried mountain climbing with goods that I can enjoy lunch and coffee from among the items introduced.

A set of goods that allows you to enjoy the coffee you brought with you on mountain climbing Upper Left: TOAK Titan Kochel 550ml Center: Alcohol lamp Right: Firebox firewood stand Lower left: MUNIEQ Tetra Drip Center: FIREBOX coffee mill Right: Paper filter

I store it in this bag and carry it. It weighs about 750 grams and is lightweight.

The destination is Mt. Sanage, one of the most popular mountains in the Tokai region and visited by many climbers. Mr. Michiue also climbed this mountain many times to practice mountaineering.

The mountain straddles Toyota City and Seto City, making it easy to access.

Sanage is attractive for its various routes, and the best course is chosen according to one's physical fitness. This time, I chose the royal route up from Sanage Shrine.

Let's go straight to it.

First, walk on the paved asphalt. Along the way, you can hear the babbling of the river.

The Tromil water wheel that appeared soon after I started walking.

Gomonsugi (Gomon cedar). The trail starts here. The stairs are well maintained and easy to climb. Steep steps alternate with gentle paths.

Higashi no Miya. A little closer to the summit than the middle.

A spot where you can see the Southern Alps. You can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Frog rock. If you come this far, it's just a little bit more to the summit.

The summit of Mt. Sanage. It is a pleasant view that allows you to see far into the distance. I started climbing at 9:30am and it took about 2 hours. I walked slowly and enjoyed the scenery.

The time is 11:30. It's about time for lunch, so climbing goods are here!

First, light the alcohol lamp and boil the water. It's all about the tools I use for the first time, but I was able to start smoothly without hesitation.

For lunch, prepare instant “curry meal”. I transferred it from the cup to the ziplock in advance and brought it. You can enjoy hot rice just by pouring hot water and waiting for 5 minutes. You can put the ziplock in the Wanderlust stand cozy ¥ 3,900 ~ (tax included). I am grateful that it can stand on its own and keep warm / cold.

Preparing an after meal coffee. Throw in the coffee beans you brought.

Coffee beans are being ground. The good aroma of the beans is spreading.

We had freshly roasted coffee. It was great to drink coffee while listening to the sound of the wind in the mountains. Lunch was a full hour of food and conversation.

When it comes to lunch on a mountain hike, it is a time to look forward to so much more. This time, preparing the meal on site was an exciting experience that gave me less time before leaving for the morning and more time to enjoy it in the mountains.

Especially since it was cold when I climbed the mountain, the hot meal and coffee relaxed my body and made me think, "I will also enjoy the descent.

The goods introduced this time are not only for mountain climbing, but also easy to incorporate into daily life such as camping and lunch at the park.

I want to see the happy faces of our customers

Image provided by Mr. Michiue: Happo Pond at Mt. Karamatsudake

-Please tell me how you started mountain climbing in earnest.

Mr. Michiue: "It's Mt. Fuji. I've climbed it about three times so far, and it was an opportunity to learn what a mountain is like.

The first time was when I was in my twenties, and I climbed with a friend with a simple motivation: "Let's just go climbing."

At the time, I was working at a shop that dealt in imported items and second-hand clothes, which I started working at when I was 18, and climbed Mt. Fuji for the first time wearing vintage mountaineering wear that was sold at the shop. Moreover, without mountain climbing equipment.

On the day of the climb, just as we reached the top, the sun was setting. I didn't have a headlamp, and I hadn't made reservations at the lodge. I was lucky to get by then, but thinking about it now, I really don't know how I managed to climb without any preparation.

Second-hand mountain climbing wear is heavy because it uses wool, and there are restrictions on the use of water on the mountain, and it is not always possible to eat warm and delicious food. It was my first time to face such a reality.

The second time I climbed Mt. Fuji, I was properly equipped, and from this time on I started climbing in earnest.

Mt.Fuji for the first time is also a pleasant memory now. ”

-You used to work at an apparel shop, right?

Mr. Michiue: "The longest job was dealing with American imports. I used to go to America several times a year to buy.

My job was to search for Japanese trendy items, sizes, and items in good condition from among the many products, and deliver them to our customers. ”

-Why did you decide to open a mountaineering goods store?

Michiue: "The place I was working at the time didn't carry outdoor clothing, but I've always liked vintage outdoor clothing since then, like LL Bean and Patagonia's old tags, the kind of stuff you'd wear in the city for fashion.

Also, I think that climbing mountains as a hobby is a big factor. I practiced once a week at a nearby low mountain, and climbed a large mountain several times a year. ”

- So far, you've been involved in everything from the purchase of the product to the point where the customer picks up the product at the store.

When do you feel rewarded as a buyer?

Mr. Michiue: "It's when people are happy with the products I've purchased. It's when people agree with what I've purchased because I think it's good.

When I make purchases, I sometimes make decisions while imagining the face of a specific customer. I would be happy if it hits the spot. ”

-After starting your own store, when do you feel "good"?

Mr. Michiue: "It's when the customer introduces me to the customer and when I see the smile of the customer."

Image provided by Mr. Michigami: Staying in a tent in the forest

-What is the concept behind your apparel selections?

Michigami: "It is something where there is no gap between the mountains and the city.

Are there any colors or logos that come to mind when you think of mountaineering equipment? If you wear such clothes in the city, a conversation like "Do you like mountains?" will start.

With an image of enjoying nature more casually, we have selected clothing that you can wear in a relaxed manner on a regular basis. ”

This shop was originally a dress shop, and Mr. Michiue said, "I made it from scratch."

-I heard that the interior of your store is a DIY project. Why did you decide to do it yourself?

Mr. Michiue: "I built the store while looking for wood and asking carpenter friends.
The wood is also one-of-a-kind, and it has something in common with old clothes. ”

About the future

-What kind of shop do you want to be in the future?

Mr. Michiue: "I want to be a store that is never "completed". I don't want it to be a place where you can go and find everything you need. I think everything is interesting in the middle.

The current product line-up feels like "I've finally gathered" after two years since the opening. Over the past few years, I have gathered my favorite products while interacting with manufacturers, mainly through electronic media such as e-mail.

When domestic exhibitions are held in the future, I would like to increase the number of things I like. ”

On the day of the interview, I visited during the daytime on a weekday, but there was a steady flow of customers and the store was lively. Listening to the conversation at the store, I felt that there are people who are attracted to Mr. Michiue's personality and gear selection.

This is the kind of shop that makes you want to go talk to Mr. Michiue again.

Mr. Michiue, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.