Attempting to reach Unryu Keikoku Falls - A Valley of Frozen Dragons

During Winter Unryu Keikoku "Cloud Dragon Valley" changes from a land of waterfalls to a land of ice falls. Join me as we make the track to this valley in Nikko National Park.

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I started the hike by walking from Nikko Station to the trailhead. Starting at the trailhead I hiked in the snow following the Inari River. Then I quickly lost the trail. This led to me having to climb up the side of the valley up until I could reach the trail again.

After my little off-trail adventure I get back on the trail and we quickly come to Unryu Keikoku, Unryu Valley. Meaning Cloud Dragon Valley the valley is made of porous stone that allows water to flow out of it. In winter these waterfalls freeze and become great icicles. The largest and most impressive is Unryu Keikoku Falls. Unryu Valley is nestled between Mt. Nyoho and Mt. Akanagi. I have previously hiked Akanagisan and have a failed attempt to climb Nyohosan in previous videos.

The last part of the hike was the steep accent up to Unryu Keikoku. It was during this part of the hike that another hiker slipped and I had to catch him as he slid down. It was much more dramatic than my simple fall earlier in the hike.

☆ See more videos filmed in Nikko:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBuT5KJIfA-WajD78jZ2R10h1LdhBCZLX
☆ See more hiking videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBuT5KJIfA-WrNgjAMLleB15K3F_pSkJa
☆ See my attempt to climb Mt Nyoho:
https://youtu.be/DMjm13S9Dow
☆ See my hike up Mt. Akanagi
https://youtu.be/G5pVHi5edV4

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➡️ I traveled to Nikko National Park to hike up to a frozen waterfall

➡️ I end up off the trail and have to climb the side of a river bank to get back on the trail

➡️ I jump rivers and wade in the snow to reach Unryu Keikoku

➡️Unryu Keikoku (雲竜渓谷) means Cloud Dragon Valley, the name comes from the water coming down the sides of the valley

➡️ In winter the water freezes and the valley becomes a popular winter hike

➡️ Unryu Keikoku Falls is the highlight and end point for most hikers like myself

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00:00 Intro
00:51 Lost The Trail
06:00 Climbing Out
08:37 Back on the Trail
11:36 Up and Down and Up Again
14:35 Unryu Valley
19:11 Up to Unryu Valley Falls
22:50 Down from Unryu Valley Falls
26:58 In Unryu Valley
27:43 Conclusion

Music ➼ Ruthless by NEFFEX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyB0f0TxLSY

#japan #winterhike #NikkoNationalPark