Leadership Through Adventure Fund
Venture Through the Japanese Alps
During the September school holiday in 2025, eight New South Wales Venturer Scouts embarked on an expedition through two iconic summits, countless challenges, and twenty-one days of adventure across Japan.
Supported by the Dick and Pip Smith – Leadership Through Adventure Fund, the Patrol explored Japanese cities and countryside, experienced local culture and challenged themselves in the mountains. Highlights included summiting Mount Fuji (3,776 m), Japan’s highest mountain, and Mount Yarigatake (3,180 m) in the Japanese Alps. Along the way, they developed their outdoor skills, strengthened friendships and learned valuable lessons in resilience, leadership and teamwork.
Preparation and Fundraising
With only six months to organise the expedition, the Venturer Scouts undertook extensive planning, route research and fundraising. With extensive support from the community and fundraising through their doughnuts and barbecue stores, the Patrol raised approximately $10,000 through their fundraising efforts, alongside $16,000 in funding from Dick Smith.
Alongside fundraising, the Patrol developed their Outdoor Adventure Skills through weekly programs, challenging hikes and opportunities such as State Alpine School. With support from their Leaders and Commissioners, they also navigated the extensive paperwork and approvals required for an international expedition.
The preparation was not without its challenges, but the experience provided the Patrol opportunities in developing their skills in organisation, planning and adaptability.
At the beginning
After travelling from Sydney via Shanghai, the Patrol arrived in Japan and headed to Nagano by bullet train. The following day brought a frantic search for supplies and a missed mountain lift, eventually leading them to camp in Hakuba Valley.
With poor weather forecast around Mount Goryu, the Patrol adapted their plans and completed a day hike to Mount Karamatsu instead, enjoying spectacular views of the Japanese Alps before continuing towards Shinano-Omachi.
Mount Funakubo – The Toughest Challenge
Mount Funakubo proved to be one of the hardest days of the expedition, with approximately 1,500 metres of ascent over just five kilometres of steep roots, ladders and difficult terrain. Exhausted, the Patrol reached camp in darkness, with some members helping a struggling Leader complete the climb.
After evaluating the route ahead and discovering dangerous ridgelines and unstable rocks, the Patrol made the difficult decision to descend for everyone’s safety. Although they could not complete the original route, the experience reinforced the importance of teamwork, sound judgement and adapting plans when conditions became too risky.
Exploring Japan and Changing Plans
After regrouping at Rui’s family home, the Patrol revised its itinerary to prioritise Mount Yarigatake and Mount Fuji. The Venturer Scouts took time to recover, organise equipment and explore the surrounding area. During a community service activity clearing local roads, four members were stung by Asian giant hornets, providing another unexpected challenge.
The Patrol also visited Nikko’s famous Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, and enjoyed the opportunity to experience more of Japan’s history and culture before returning to the mountains.
Mount Yarigatake: Reaching the Summit
The trek towards Mount Yarigatake took the Patrl through the spectacular Kamikochi valley, following crystal-clear rivers beneath towering peaks before spending the night at Yarisawa Hut.
The next day, they continued towards Sessho Hut before attempting the summit. Choosing the ridge route, the Venturer Scouts climbed ladders, chains and exposed rocky sections to reach the summit of Mount Yarigatake (3,180 m).
After celebrating their achievement and taking photographs, they began their descent as the wind strengthened. The following day brought a long walk back to Kamikochi, with some members even taking a dip in the freezing mountain river before a well-earned visit to an onsen.
Mount Fuji – The Final Summit
After resting in Kawaguchiko, near Mount Fuji, the Patrol set off before sunrise on 12 October for its final major climbing objective. With very few other climbers around during the off-season, the Venturer Scouts steadily ascended the mountain, reaching the summit after approximately six hours.
They continued to Kengamine, Japan’s highest point at 3,776 metres, before conditions deteriorated, with winds estimated at 90–100 km/h. After completing a circuit of the volcanic crater, the Patrol began its descent, reaching the car park around sunset.
Reaching Japan’s highest mountain was a fitting highlight of the expedition and a rewarding culmination of the Venturers’ preparation and mountaineering efforts.
A Final Taste of Japan
The expedition concluded with two and a half days in Tokyo. The Patrol explored bubbly Shibuya, Shinjuku and Akihabara, shopped for souvenirs and hiking equipment, and enjoyed local favourites such as ramen and tempura.
A visit to Tokyo Skytree offered spectacular views of the city at night before the Patrol returned to Shibuya for a final group dinner. After one last morning of exploring, they headed to Haneda Airport and travelled home via Shanghai, arriving in Sydney ready to return to school the following day.
Thank you
An expedition of this scale would not have been possible without the support of many people.
Special thanks go to all the Leaders, adult supporters and Branch and Committee members who helped made this expedtions into an experience the Patrol will remember. The Patrol would like to extends their gratitude to Leaders who shared their experiences and assisting the Patrol navigate the planning and approval process.
A special acknowledgement goes to Dick Smith and the Dick Pip and Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund, whose generous contribution helped make the expedition possible.
Finally, congratulations to the eight Venturer Scouts who took on this challenge and worked together through every success and setback. The journey was about far more than summiting mountains. It was an opportunity to develop leadership, resilience and independence while building friendships and experiencing a different culture.
The Patrol returned home with new skills, lasting memories and a shared sense of achievement – and hopefully, the beginning of many more adventures to come.
Article by Tsuyoshi & Charlie, Patrol Leaders
Embark your next Adventure
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LTAF provides grants to youth members and project patrols to build skills, develop leadership, and take on adventurous journeys and expeditions.
Don’t delay your adventure, find out how LTAF can upport your journey and apply today.
More photos from the expedition
