Annapurna IV | 1970 NW Ridge

A Japan expedition to Annapurna IV in 1970 via NW Ridge, led by Masahiro Kawakita. Summit reached on 25th April 1970. 8 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field Value
ID 31
Imported 2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID ANN470101
Peak ID ANN4
Year 1970
Season 1
Host Country 1
Route 1 NW Ridge
Route 2 -
Route 3 -
Route 4 -
Nationality Japan
Leaders Masahiro Kawakita
Sponsor Kansai University Alpine Club
Success 1 True
Success 2 False
Success 3 False
Success 4 False
Ascent 1 7th
Ascent 2 -
Ascent 3 -
Ascent 4 -
Claimed False
Disputed False
Countries -
Approach Marshyangdi->Hongde->Sabje Khola
Basecamp Date -
Summit Date 1970-04-25
Summit Time -
Summit Days 0
Total Days 0
Termination Date -
Termination Reason 1
Termination Notes -
High Point (m) 7525
Traverse False
Ski False
Paraglide False
Camps 4
Fixed Rope (m) 0
Total Members 8
Summit Members 2
Member Deaths 0
Total Hired 6
Summit Hired 0
Hired Deaths 0
No Hired False
O2 Used False
O2 None True
O2 Climb False
O2 Descent False
O2 Sleep False
O2 Medical False
O2 Taken False
O2 Unknown False
Other Summits -
Campsites BC,C1,C2(19/04,5600m),C3(22/04,5900m),C4(23/04,6450m),Smt(25/04),Biv(25/04,6600m)
Route Notes Kawakita - 19 May 70 All expedition members to KTM today. 25 April summit by Takeo and Furutani. Mostly same route as Czechs, from northwest; but big crevasse and icefalls so same deviations. Most difficult between C3 and C5 with big crevasse after IV 30-40m wide with 30-40m from lower lip to upper; last year Czechs and Yugos did not have this crevasse to get over; crevasse had slight overhang; Japanese used small ladders and very long pitons. C2 - 5600m 19 April C3 - 5900m 22 April C4 - 6450m 23 April Bivouac site = big crevasse between C4 and C5. Big avalanches near Annapurna II. All members reached 6000m including Dr; couldn't put more members on summit because had placed summit one week earlier and not enough food supplies in high camps. Did not use oxygen at all. Leave Nepal after 1-2 weeks perhaps; may do some trekking. Kawakita - 7 March 70 5 members arrive today, 3 already here; so all here now all baggage in Pokhara already. Same route as Czechs. Leave morning 15 March to Pokhara and 18 March leave to march and establish basecamp 10 days later. Summit attempt 25 April; 4 camps with highest 7000m 6 Sherpas, 40 porters. Kansai University - Annapurna IV Munekazu Takeo, vice-leader M Teramoto, K Ichijima Other 5 most arrive March by Thai, staying rented house near Chinese embassy Same peak as Yugo and Czech, North Face ascent 1st Japanese attempt on Annapurna IV First time in Nepal for all members; all 8 hope reach summit Brought same oxygen for medical purposes 3-5 camps (last at 7000m)
Accidents -
Achievement -
Agency -
Commercial Route -
Standard Route -
Primary Route False
Primary Member False
Primary Reference -
Primary ID -
Checksum 2445732
Year 1970
Summit Success True
O2 Summary None
Route (lowercase) nw ridge

Members

8 recorded members.

Name Sex Year of Birth Citizenship Status Residence Occupation
Masahiro Kawakita M - Japan Leader Tendi-shi, Nara, Japan President, Kawakita Optician & Co. Details Other expeditions
Munekazu Takeo M - Japan Vice Leader Osaka, Japan Sales manager, Tailor Takeda & Co. Details Other expeditions
Megumu Nishijima M - Japan Treasurer Osaka, Japan Manager, Sinko Kogyo Co. (air-condition industry) Details Other expeditions
Mitsuo Teramoto M - Japan Transportation Osaka, Japan Sales manager, Teramoto Foods Store Details Other expeditions
Masaru Shikada M - Japan Climber Osaka, Japan Sales manager, Shikata Foundry Co. Details Other expeditions
Koichi Ichijima M - Japan Foods Osaka, Japan Staff member, Marunaga Clothing Co. Details Other expeditions
Kazuhiko Furutani M - Japan Climber Osaka, Japan Director, Furutani Grain Shop Details Other expeditions
Takayoshi Yokoyama M - Japan Exp Doctor Osaka, Japan Physician, Osaka Policemen's Hospital Details Other expeditions

References

3 recorded references.

Expedition ID Journal Author Title Publisher Citation Yak 94
ANN470101 AAJ Yoshizawa, Ichiro - - 45:436 (1971) -
ANN470101 MM - - - 10:6 (Jul 1970) -
ANN470101 - - http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12197143602/Asia-Nepal-Annapurna-IV - - -