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This trip is a great chance to get up into the North Alps while they are still covered with snow but when the weather is stable and snow conditions great for a snow climb. The timing is good for spotting Ptarmigan (雷鳥). The route should still have plenty of snow from Happo Pond, but the pond should be melted by this trip giving us a great mirror image of the mountains. *See above photos to get an idea of May conditions.
Satirday Night- We will do pick-ups in Fuchu at 8 p.m. and then spend the night at a Michi-no-eki road station about 40 minutes from the Alpine Bus stop we need to take. There will be a convenience store stop along the way to pick up breakfast for Sunday and any other supplies needed.
Sunday- We will wake up around6:00 a.m. pack our bags and start heading up to the Norikura Highland. Our bus is at 8:30 so we will get up to the alpine plaza early to make sure we get a good spot in line for one of the first buses. The road heads up through a snow canyon on a much smaller scale than that of Tateyama, but cool nonetheless.
The hike will start from the Kuraigahara Hut and will ascend relatively gently starting out immediately on the large snow field. We will be above tree line the entire time and the alpine scenery is truly amazing. Our route traverses below the summit ridge before taking a tale ridge that heads up to the top. We'll take an extended break on the summit for lunch and photo taking.
The descent is going to be super fun. We will provide ice axes and sleds for everyone to glissade down the mountain. Using the ice axe as a brake to control speed, we slide down on min-sleds for a truly exciting and easy descent. After getting off the main summit slope there will be places along the way for sledding so we will switch between sledding and walking as we descend.
You are welcome to carry up skis or a snowboard, or if you have back-country gear to actually ski up the route which is doable until late May.
Following the climb, we'll head to a hot spring to warm up before heading home.
Satirday Night- We will do pick-ups in Fuchu at 8 p.m. and then spend the night at a Michi-no-eki road station about 40 minutes from the Alpine Bus stop we need to take. There will be a convenience store stop along the way to pick up breakfast for Sunday and any other supplies needed.
Sunday- We will wake up around6:00 a.m. pack our bags and start heading up to the Norikura Highland. Our bus is at 8:30 so we will get up to the alpine plaza early to make sure we get a good spot in line for one of the first buses. The road heads up through a snow canyon on a much smaller scale than that of Tateyama, but cool nonetheless.
The hike will start from the Kuraigahara Hut and will ascend relatively gently starting out immediately on the large snow field. We will be above tree line the entire time and the alpine scenery is truly amazing. Our route traverses below the summit ridge before taking a tale ridge that heads up to the top. We'll take an extended break on the summit for lunch and photo taking.
The descent is going to be super fun. We will provide ice axes and sleds for everyone to glissade down the mountain. Using the ice axe as a brake to control speed, we slide down on min-sleds for a truly exciting and easy descent. After getting off the main summit slope there will be places along the way for sledding so we will switch between sledding and walking as we descend.
You are welcome to carry up skis or a snowboard, or if you have back-country gear to actually ski up the route which is doable until late May.
Following the climb, we'll head to a hot spring to warm up before heading home.
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Included in the Trip Fee
-Roundtrip transport from Tokyo -Alpine Bus Ticket -Crampon, ice axe, and sled rental -Experienced and certified trip leader Participation Fee: 14,500 yen |
・Meeting Location:
-Fuchu Station (8:00 p.m.) -Fuchu-Honmachi Station (8:05 p.m.) Click here for Pickup Location Details and Map ・Required Equipment: Waterproof shell jacket and pants, base layer, fleece layers, wool socks, gaiters, liner and outer gloves, warm hat
Full leather Waterproof Hiking Boots or Mountaineering Boots Sleeping bag and mat - Rentals available ・Maximum Participants: 9
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