As the Snow Melts, the Trail Awaits

Hello everyone!
This afternoon (April 18), the temperature suddenly shot up—it went over 25°C!
After a few chilly days, this sudden warmth really caught us off guard. Spring in Japan can be quite unpredictable!

That said, there’s still quite a bit of snow along the Echigo Country Trail course.
In the photos below, the area outlined in blue on the left is the first aid station, and the right photo shows the trail heading into the mountain from there. While the snow is melting in sunny spots, shaded areas and deeper parts of the mountains are still very much snow-covered.

It may take a little more time before the entire course is runnable.

As we approach Golden Week (late April–early May), some of you might start visiting the course to scout it out. We really appreciate the excitement you’re bringing to this race!

🐻 A Word of Caution: Bear Activity in the Area

As the weather warms up, it’s not just people who become more active—so do the bears.
In Japan, it’s common around this time of year to hear news about people encountering bears while foraging for wild plants in the mountains.

To help prevent dangerous encounters, we strongly recommend carrying a “bear bell” (a small bell that makes noise as you move) when you’re scouting the trail—and on race day as well.

The bell makes your presence known to any nearby bears, reducing the chance of surprising them.

While there’s no guarantee you won’t see a bear, this simple precaution helps make your mountain experience safer and more enjoyable.

🔔 Please help us ensure a safe and fun race day by bringing a bear bell!

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Note: Bear bells are also recommended for race day.