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This hike is one of the best ridge traverses in all of the Japanese Alps. There's tons of rock scrambling, some knife ridges, and we'll also stand on top of the 3rd highest peak in Japan, Oku-Hotaka, and climb up to the top of the Gendarme, an amazing castle like rock situated on the ridge.
We are requiring mountain hut lodging on this trip to go light and fast on the technical ridge traverse.
Saturday:
By heading up to the mountains on Friday night, we'll be able to get an early start and take our time to get up to the hut Hotaka-sanso. Because the trail on the West side is due to damage from last year's earthquake we will be climbing from Kamikochi. The plan is to do the Gendarme and the Horse's back on the first day when there are fewer people on the mountain making it more enjoyable and safer. We will first climb up through Dake-sawa and then head up the Tengu Couloir (天狗のコール) which is a variation route that climbs steeply up to the main ridge of the Alps. From there after a good break and lunch we begin the traverse across multiple exposed areas with chains and then climb up to the summit of the Gendarme.
After the Gendarme there is still plenty of excitement as the super exposed knife ridge known as the Horse's Back (馬の背)is waiting for us before the summit of Oku-Hotaka. We will set up a fixed rope for everyone to clip into for this section to make it as safe as possible and get some great photos of everyone on the ridge. Then it's a short walk to the summit of Oku-Hotaka, the 3rd tallest mountain in Japan and about 30 minutes of walking and some downclimbing to the hut for the night.
Sunday:
To descend we will drop down into the Karasawa valley and take a break at the hut with some cold beverages before beginning the final journey towards Kamikochi. Of course we will stop by the hut in the valley with the famous blueberry toast for lunch and then be back in Kamikochi by 1 p.m. to grab a taxi back to the van then hot spring before heading home.
*In the event rain is forecast for Sunday, we will reverse the route, and do the traverse on the second day, but we will climb up via Mae-Hotaka to Oku-Hotaka to reach the hut.
We are requiring mountain hut lodging on this trip to go light and fast on the technical ridge traverse.
Saturday:
By heading up to the mountains on Friday night, we'll be able to get an early start and take our time to get up to the hut Hotaka-sanso. Because the trail on the West side is due to damage from last year's earthquake we will be climbing from Kamikochi. The plan is to do the Gendarme and the Horse's back on the first day when there are fewer people on the mountain making it more enjoyable and safer. We will first climb up through Dake-sawa and then head up the Tengu Couloir (天狗のコール) which is a variation route that climbs steeply up to the main ridge of the Alps. From there after a good break and lunch we begin the traverse across multiple exposed areas with chains and then climb up to the summit of the Gendarme.
After the Gendarme there is still plenty of excitement as the super exposed knife ridge known as the Horse's Back (馬の背)is waiting for us before the summit of Oku-Hotaka. We will set up a fixed rope for everyone to clip into for this section to make it as safe as possible and get some great photos of everyone on the ridge. Then it's a short walk to the summit of Oku-Hotaka, the 3rd tallest mountain in Japan and about 30 minutes of walking and some downclimbing to the hut for the night.
Sunday:
To descend we will drop down into the Karasawa valley and take a break at the hut with some cold beverages before beginning the final journey towards Kamikochi. Of course we will stop by the hut in the valley with the famous blueberry toast for lunch and then be back in Kamikochi by 1 p.m. to grab a taxi back to the van then hot spring before heading home.
*In the event rain is forecast for Sunday, we will reverse the route, and do the traverse on the second day, but we will climb up via Mae-Hotaka to Oku-Hotaka to reach the hut.
This trip includes
-Round trip transportation from Tokyo -An experienced and certified guide -Taxi transport to and from Kamikochi -Harness and helmet Hiking Level: 3D Participation Fee: 27,500 yen +tax *Mountain hut fee is 9,500~13,500 yen payable on arrival |
・Pick up Locations: (Friday night departure)
Fuchu Station - 8:00 p.m. Fuchu Honmachi Station - 8:05 p.m. ・Required Equipment: Trekking Boots, water, lunch, sunscreen, warm clothing layers, rain wear, sleeping bag and mat, a 30L+ backpack, cup bowl and spoon
・Maximum Participants: 9
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