Trekking in Japan's Minami Alps

Trip Start Jun 30, 2010

Trip End Jun 01, 2011

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Flag of Japan Minami Alps, Chubu, Japan
Saturday, July 31, 2010

From Kofu City we headed out to Japan's highest range of mountains, the Southern or Minami Alps. We trekked for four days from Hirogawara to Shimakura-tozan-guchi (called the Kita Dake - Shiome Dake Traverse; Kita Dake is Japan's second highest mountain after Fuji-san). Classed as a 'demanding' hike, we trekked 36km, climbed 2570 metres and descended 2300 metres. It was stunning scenery, but seriously wet (the wet season usually ends in July!) and our tent was put to the test on the last night during an alpine thunderstorm.

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Buying lunch in Kofu	Kofu bus station, waiting for our bus to the Alps	Trek start at Hirogawara	Our first ascent, day 1
Up, up, up and up	Misty mountains	Nearing Camp 1, but not near enough!	Entering Kata-no-koya
Extra care needed on the night-time toilet trips!	Camp 1 in mist	A much needed brew	A stretch before retiring to the sleeping bag
Next morning, a very different Kata-no-koya	Poster about a very rare plant	The very rare plant	Looking back to Kata-no-koya camp
Ridgeline on route to Camp 2	Looking out over Fuji-san from Kita-Dake	Summit of Kita-Dake (3,192 metres)	Camp 2 down below
Enjoying panoramics & precipitous drop-offs	Erm, which way?	On the summit	Stunning view over the Minami Alps
Alpine ridge, day 2	Weather closing in on ridgeline	Into the mist	Misty ridge
Buying lunch, day 3	Lunch and sake with friendly trekkers, day 3	Erm, which way again?	OK, heads or tails?
On the descent, day 4	Descending green woodland	Finished and waiting for the bus	Bootylicious!
Just putting the feet up	Just a little post-trek snack back in Kofu