Hi there,

I'm planning on doing a traverse of the Southern Alps, From Kita-dake to Hijiri-dake as per Lonely Planet's Hiking in Japan guide. I'm looking at doing this from the 13th of July until the 23 of July this year. Lonely Planet gives the trek 6 days however I'm looking at spending 8 night on the trail, with the extra days for bad weather and I'm a keen photographer so I have time to take photos and do some side trips.

Last year I did a 3 day trip in the Northern Alps in September and I must confess that I was a little unprepared. I opted to save weight by carrying a rather small 3 season sleeping bag and found the nights a little cold... I don't know what I was thinking since I was climbng over 3000m and amongst permanent snow fields.

Anyway, with that experience in mind I'm looking for information about snow conditions in the Southern Alps in July. I'm planning on taking a warmer sleeping bag this time. I'm expecting (hoping) to find more snow as well.

Does anyone know what the snow conditions and temperatures will be like in July? Walking ax or crampons, necessary?

I'm also planning on camping and carrying all my food. Should I be worried about bears? I'm from Australia so I have no experience with them. Personally I would like to see some so I can photograph them.

Is there anything else I should be worried about or any other tips or information people could give me.

Also I'm currently hiking solo but only because I don't have any friends with similar time off. However if anyone wants to join me I'd be happy for the company.

Thanks for any information in advance.


steve

first of all, it's a long, long trek, but there are some escape points along the way in case you lose stamina.

there will still be some snow, but most of the ridge lines should be relatively clear. i'd bring a light pair of crampons just in case.

bears? highly unlikely, except when descending from Hijiri down to Sawara-jima. the bus to Shizuoka doesn't start running until July 19th,s o don't plan on descending Hijiri before that date or you'll have to hitchhike out.

definitely bring a warm sleeping bag, as the temps may drop below zero at night. also, it's still the rainy season, so make sure you have wet weather gear.

Thanks for your input Wes.

I'm not too worried about the length. I wanted to do something long and demanding and as you say, there are a few options for escape for whatever reason. I'm used to mountaineering where I'm carrying around 5-10 kg's of climbing hardware at altitude, so not worrying about that weight this time should turn this trip into a picnic...

I'm planning on taking some instep crampons since I know what it's like trying to walk across waterice when I'm too lasy to don my crampons. I'm also thinking of carrying a light walking ax for balance in said tricky situations. I'd take trekking polls but I left them in Australia and can't seem to find the one's I'd like in any Japanese stores.

I was planning on doing this hike in June but after finding out about the bus I had to change my plan to next month. The bus should start operating when I need it.

I'm happy to do the hike in the rainy season. With all the rainy seasons I've experienced in Japan so far, none seem to have much rain anyway. However from a photography point of view, I'm hoping that the rainy season will bring more dramatic skies to my photography. And perhaps clearer skies when it's not raining.

Much of my gear is made in New Zealand and therefore has a heritage of handling foul weather.

My other sleeping bad is rated to -5 so it sounds like it should be suitable for this trip at this time of year.


steve

You might consider doing Senjogatake, before as a day trip or link it up with your trek down to Ainodake. It's (in my opinion) one of the best. Last year I climbed it from Kitazawatoge, where I was camped, ran into a family of Thunderbirds and had the view of a lifetime.

I've been wanting to do this trek for years--should be great! Wes is correct about the snow--there will be some but not likely on any of the trails. Also you may want to consider eating a meal or three at the huts to save your back.

And if it comes to it, hitching in the Japanese mountains is not a problem. I've done it a few times and people are a bit surpirsed but overall friendly.

If you're up for more hikes--say in August or early September--I am planning to do Tsurugi from the north, looping it to Hakuba and Tsubakuro to Kamikochi via the Daikiretto.

Loving the Japanese mountains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicholas in Fujimi

Hi Nicolas

I've been looking at Senjogotake for the last couple of days trying to figure out how to work it into my hiking plan. I would love to climb it too. However it looks like a long day trip from Ainodake. If I do it I'll probably loose all my weather days. I'll see how I feel on the day.

I've got 5 days off in August too. Not sure what I'll be doing then. Perhaps some cycle touring around Iwate. I'd like to do Tate-yama some day too.

Last year I did a 3 day circuit from Kamikochi passing the Daikiretto. It was exciting made all the more so, since I did it in poor visibility, high winds and light rain.

I'm envoius of you location. My first choice was Nagano but I got sent to Chiba. I finally managed to find some nature in Iwate. Nagano seems to be where it's at though, or Hokkaido.


steve

Hello all,

I am living in Hiroshima and plan to do an extended trek in the Alps in August. I have a hiking partner for the 6 day Southern Alps trek as outlined in Lonely Planet, but as yet, no one to join me for the 6 day Northern Alps trek (also as outlined in LP). Anyone interested?

I am a slow hiker because I move slowly, and stop often to take pics. That said, I keep a steady pace, and put in a good long day of hiking. I plan to carry a tent and food and will opt for using the campgrounds next to the Mt huts, unless the weather and/or my physical conditions deems otherwise.

My tentative schedule (flexible is need be), is to do the Sth Alps from Aug 10 - 15, have a couple of days break, and then do the Nth Alps hike from around the 18th of Aug.

If anyone is interested in joining me for the Nth leg of this journey, and/or has any useful feedback, please email me.

I can be reached at: wkmoore03@yahoo.com.au

Cheers,
Bill