Masatoshi Kuriaki

Japanese Caribou

Alaska Vertically and Horizontally – Foraker winter solo 2007. Denali winter solo 1998.
Walk from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay 1998.
My home is in Japan.

Masatoshi’s Book Now Available Online!
山の旅人 冬季アラスカ単独行
🛒 amazon.co.jp | 🛒 kinokuniya.com

Interesting fact. Masatoshi has stayed a total of 846 Winter days in the Alaska Range!
2014 – Jan. through Apr. Masatoshi attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge and reached the 12,000 ft. level. Stayed 66 days on the Mountain, including total 60 days snow cave. Made two summit attempts, but turned around by ice conditions and high winds.

2013 - Jan. through Mar. Attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge, achieved 7,000 ft. level. Stayed 44 days on the Mountain.

2011 - Dec. through 2012 Jan. Attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge, achieved 7,000 ft. level. Stayed 47 days on the Mountain. Worst trip ever (13th try solo winter.) Ice fog, winds and extreme cold temps. "Not even a raven came to base camp. Smart birds!"

2009 – Dec. through 2010 - Mar. Masatoshi attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge and reached the 10,830 ft. level. Stayed 83 days on the Mountain, including total 53 days hunkered down in snow caves waiting out bad weather. Waited 16 days in snow cave (camp 4 / 1,0600 ft.) for summit, but no chance to reach summit.

2009 - Jan. through Mar. Attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge, achieved 8,500 ft. level. Stayed 49 days on the Mountain. Masatoshi started to ascend a steep/deep “sugar snow” section and heard in his mind his new born daughter calling to him “Hi daddy,  it’s time to come home."

2007 - Solo winter ascent of Mt. Foraker via SE ridge.  57 days on the Mountain.  Summit on March 10th.  Became the first man in the world to climb the mountain alone in winter.

2006 - Feb. through Apr. Attempted Denali via South Buttress Ramp6 route, achieved 12,300 ft. level. Stayed 58 days on the Mountain. The main climbing gear (my hardware) were lost by Monster avalanche at 11,600 ft. level.

2005 - Feb. through Apr. Attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge, achieved 7,550 ft. level. Stayed 41 days on the Mountain. (I was) Stuck 26 days by bad weather before finally flying to the Mountain.

2004 - Feb. through Apr. Attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge, achieved 8,330 ft. level. Stayed 34 days on the Mountain. Took Avalanche photos.

2003 - Feb. through Apr. Attempted Mt. Hunter via West ridge, achieved 9,000 ft. level. Stayed 48 days on the Mountain. Took Northern Light shots.

2002 - Jan. through Mar. Attempted Mt. Foraker via SE ridge, achieved 8,540 ft. level. Stayed 56 days on the Mountain. Took Aurora photos. Carried off all of trash and human waste. This is the longest reported trip into the Alaska Range in which all human waste was packed out.

2001 - Winter/Spring solo ascent of Mt. Foraker via SE ridge. 66 days on the Mountain. Reached the summit 8on March 31. Fourth solo ascent of Mt. Foraker. Became the first solo climber to ascend Foraker via SE ridge.

2000 - Work on getting his book published.

1999 - Winter/Spring solo ascent of Mt. Foraker, via Sultana ridge. Stayed 57 days on the Mountain. Reached the summit on April 3. Third solo ascent of Mt. Foraker.

1998 - April 3 to July 6. Walked solo from Anchorage to  Prudhoe Bay, 860 miles, earning the name "Japanese Caribou."

1998 - Solo winter ascent of Denali, via West Buttress, 29 days, summit on March 8th. Became the fourth man in 9the world to climb the mountain alone in winter. First Japanese climber to solo summit in winter and return. Another Japanese climber made a solo ascent and was seen on the summit but disappeared on the climb down.

1997 - Attempted winter Solo climb of Denali, West Buttress, made it to the 17,000 ft. level. Stayed 37 days on the Mountain.

1996 - Oct. through Dec. Solo ascents of the following peaks in Nepal: Imja Tse, Parchamo, Pisang Peak and Chulu Far East. All peaks are around 20,000 ft. level.

1996 – April and May. Attempt Mt. Hunter via East ridge. Achieved 11,400 ft. level. Part of May and June, Attempted Mt. Foraker via SE ridge, achieved 11,600 ft. level. Stayed 49 days on the Mountain.

1995 – Masatoshi and one partner summit Denali on July 24, via West Buttress.

Masatoshi’s Book Now Available Online!
山の旅人 冬季アラスカ単独行
🛒 amazon.co.jp | 🛒 kinokuniya.com