SAWANOBORI

SAWANOBORI drops you into Japan’s wild, water-carved mountains for a 12-minute immersion in the little-known tradition of climbing up rivers instead of rock. A small team of The North Face climbers—among them James Pearson, Matty Hong, Yuji Hirayama, and Caroline Ciavaldini—heads into the steep valleys near Shomyo and Fudo Waterfalls to experience “sawanobori,” where the route is a living stream and the terrain is always changing. What makes this film so gripping is how unfamiliar the challenge feels: slick stone, pounding spray, cold water, and constant force pushing you back, turning normal gear and instincts upside down. It’s part climbing, part canyon adventure, and part lesson in humility—beautiful scenery, committed movement, and a quiet intensity that builds with every upward step. If you love stories that expand what “climbing” can be, SAWANOBORI is a short, visceral watch that leaves you wanting a deeper look into this vertical playground.

The North Face · 12:47

In August 2018, a handful of The North Face climbers travelled into the spectacular Japanese wilderness to dive into the realm of ‘Sawanobori’ - the revered art of scaling mountain streams, despite Mother Nature doing all she can to push them back. Powering through conditions that rendered traditional climbing shoes completely useless, this was unlike any adventure the team had done before. #NeverStopExploring. Discover move: http://bit.ly/TheNorthfaceYT