Police raid travel agency over deadly mountaineering trip in Hokkaido

Saturday 18th July, 10:31 AM JST

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14 Comments

sharky1 at 02:57 PM JST - 18th July

Kind of odd to raid the travel agency...who was the guide??? THE CLIMBING GUIDE IS THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.
Okinawamike at 03:00 PM JST - 18th July

Could use a little more information, but when they start dropping like flys, use the cell or radio and call for help!

No, never climbed a mountain and yes things change fast, but still, 10 people?
bobbafett at 03:23 PM JST - 18th July

At the end of the day when you go mountain climbing you take your life into your own hands but when you are over 50 years old and go mountain climbing you throw your life into the hands of the Gods.
NuckinFutz at 03:40 PM JST - 18th July

There is alot of information missing here. I am a mountain guide (in Japan) and for something like this to happen there would have to be either institutionalized negligence or just plain stupid amateurs hired as guides!

Don't always count age as a factor in mountain deaths. I know many Japanese in their 60's and 70s who are VERY active in the mountains and in conditions much harsher than what these people encountered in Hokkaido.

Getting the FULL story of what happened would be useful, especially since I could use case scenarios like this in safety briefings for future backcountry outtings.
Himajin at 04:04 PM JST - 18th July

Kind of odd to raid the travel agency...

They hire the guides.
ZetaSagittarii at 05:25 PM JST - 18th July

bobbaffet: [...] when you are over 50 years old and go mountain climbing you throw your life into the hands of the Gods.

No, you don't. You use your brain. (Toured the Southern Alps for a week two years ago with the family, both my parents-in-law in their mid-fifties, and no-nonsense folks. No random fatalities.)
sharky1 at 06:06 PM JST - 18th July

Travel agencies do not hire guides...they contract with them...the guides are still responsible.
ComplexPoet at 08:21 PM JST - 18th July

Yea I don't know about this one, need a LOT more information on what exactly happened other than they died.
Potsu at 09:33 PM JST - 18th July

A "RAID" sounds a bit extreme.Guides or no guides there is always a risk up there,surely they signed a waiver or whatever...it's not like they were kids,but wait a sec,this IS Japan.
bokudayo at 11:40 PM JST - 18th July

Potsu: You're right. A "raid" makes me envision cops with weapons drawn, surrounding the building and coming inside in a sudden rush yelling for everyone to get down.

maybe that's what happened...

and yeah, the guide is the responsible one here - if one is to be held accountable.
Blue_Tiger at 08:39 PM JST - 19th July

Seems like everyone was issued a list of necessary and needed items, but apparently, some people showed up in Summer Clothing anyway, and some that did bring warmer wear took it out before going up in order to lighten the load. As others have said, too much info missiong...
Himajin at 07:35 AM JST - 20th July

They were saying last night that it was poorly organized, there were too many people, and the travel agency did not make sure that any of the people were qualified to go, that they had some mountain climbing experience. Their gear was not checked either.
Eddisofbextar at 08:55 AM JST - 21st July

2000+ altitude and people freezing to death. Why? Anemia? Old age?

Methinks this is just an issue of poor judgement in choosing proper clothing for such a high altitude. Were the customers warned about the potential climate hazards? If they were indeed "experienced", they likely wouldnt have needed such a warning. I have never gone on such an expidition and yet my common sense tells me that it will be cold, and if it rains, it'll get even colder. I guess my common sense isnt the same as others....
Himajin at 05:36 PM JST - 21st July

Wind-chill factor....7C and then 20m wind, you get cold pretty fast.