Sawanobori
Encyclopedia
, or river climbing, is a type of mountaineering
that involves going up mountain streams to their source that is popular in Japan.
walls, and swimming through gorges
. Shower climbing of waterfalls in the summer is a highlight. The difficulty of the climb can judged by the level involved in rock climbing
, with the use of ropes and protection
, the amount of swimming involved and the strength of the current. Many climbers pursue the target tributary until they reach its source, or the ideal finish is considered as such. As a rule, the climber moves in the direction opposite the direction of the waterflow.
Although Japanese people used to climb with waraji
(straw shoes), commonly used gear now includes special shoes with a felt sole, a climbing harness
, a helmet, and ropes.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
that involves going up mountain streams to their source that is popular in Japan.
Description
The sport consists of ascending a tributary of a river along with its features, including climbing waterfalls, traversing ravineRavine
A ravine is a landform narrower than a canyon and is often the product of streamcutting erosion. Ravines are typically classified as larger in scale than gullies, although smaller than valleys. A ravine is generally a fluvial slope landform of relatively steep sides, on the order of twenty to...
walls, and swimming through gorges
Gorges
Gorges, the plural of the French word for "throat", usually refers to a canyon.Gorges is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Gorges, in the Loire-Atlantique département* Gorges, in the Manche département...
. Shower climbing of waterfalls in the summer is a highlight. The difficulty of the climb can judged by the level involved in rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, with the use of ropes and protection
Protection (climbing)
To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection, a term used to describe the equipment used to prevent injury to themselves and others.-Types of climbing:...
, the amount of swimming involved and the strength of the current. Many climbers pursue the target tributary until they reach its source, or the ideal finish is considered as such. As a rule, the climber moves in the direction opposite the direction of the waterflow.
Although Japanese people used to climb with waraji
Waraji
Waraji are sandals made from straw rope that in the past were the standard footwear of the common people in Japan. Waraji were also worn by the samurai class and foot soldiers during the feudal era of Japan.-Description:...
(straw shoes), commonly used gear now includes special shoes with a felt sole, a climbing harness
Climbing harness
A climbing harness is a piece of equipment used in certain types of rock-climbing, abseiling or other activities requiring the use of ropes to provide access or safety...
, a helmet, and ropes.