Rei Kawamata completes the 5th Dan/V14 climb of "Dakine"

At Hinokage Boulder in Hinokage Town, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture,
Climber Kawamata Rei climbed the difficulty level 5th grade/V14 "Dakine" .

Kawamata posted the following thoughts on his Instagram:

" The rocks are big and cool and I really love them.
I was exhausted after climbing three times in a row and my fingers were torn, but I managed to climb it ✔︎
It might be a little gentle for a 5th dan.

Posted by: rei.kawamata

Wearing: Iggy shorts, beige

On the difficulty of climbing

In climbing, each route has a number called a "grade" that indicates the difficulty level.
For example, in Japan, there are the following classifications:

  • ~ Level 6 (for beginners) → Large footholds and handholds make it easy to climb
  • Level 1 to Level 4 (for intermediate players) → The grips are small, so strength and technique are required
  • First dan to third dan and above (for advanced climbers) → Quite difficult, even professionals sometimes cannot climb

People tend to think that climbing is about "being strong," but in fact, "balance," "movement ingenuity," and "endurance" are also important. The more difficult the route, the more you need to use your body and your brain, not just your muscles.

If you want to try it for yourself, you can do it safely at your local bouldering gym.