Hiking Asahidake
The weather has been really bad for about a month with only a few good days scattered in between, we had been watching the weather reports, and they predicted cloudy and rainy. Once we arrived at the ropeway parking lot at 8:30 am we discussed the plans. It was decided that the weather being that it was, the hike to the peak would have to be put off. Instead we decided to hike from the parking area to the sugatami pond station, or to the top of the ropeway.
After checking our gear, and setting a waypoint on my handheld GPS we started up on a hike that would probably take a couple of hours. The weather was warm and I quickly peeled off my jacket. The trail was very muddy in spots due to all of the rain that we have suffered from recently. Some spots were very rocky, and was almost like rock climbing, while other spots were nice and leisurely.
I was very surprised how easy the hike was for me, imagining that it would really be a difficult task. I think from all of the snowboarding and bicycle riding I have done over the past year, my body is starting to get in the best shape that it has been in since my military time over 14 years ago. (jeez it’s been that long since I got out)
We arrived at the top of the ropeway at 11:00 am to find a lot of tourists who had taken the ropeway up. There were people from Hong Kong that we talked with, who spoke perfect english, and the ladies were dressed in nice clothes and high heels on the mountain. Sugatami pond was amazing, consisting of melted snow with a backdrop of Asahidake’s Peak and volcanic vents spewing smoke and stinky sulfur odors.
The view was amazing and it was a very satisfying feeling to have hiked up instead of taking the ropeway. I had brought some flowers from home as a memorial to the 10 people who lost their lives the day before. We found a secluded spot and set the flowers down next to a large rock and said a short prayer. It really was a tragedy that the tour company had not prepared better and was in part responsible for what had happened.
One thing that you have to understand about mountain weather is that it can change in a period of 15-30 minutes, and if you are not prepared, tragedies can happen. You have to maintain total respect for the power of mountains, just as you do for the ocean for they can take your life in an instant. We were all well prepared and had rain gear and warm weather gear just in case.
After sightseeing around sugatami pond we arrived at the ropeway rest area to have lunch, when the heavy rains hit. We enjoyed lunch together and chatted for awhile, and decided to take the ropeway back down. One of our hiking members knee was a bit sore, and due to the rain we all thought it was a good idea.
The ropeway was an interesting experience in itself, and we were treated to some great sights from the gondola. After arriving down below, we all decided to go to a nearby hot spring to soak our muscles in some steaming hot water. The onsen (hotspring) felt great and was very relaxing and revitalizing. The hot spring resorts owners daughter is a pro snowboarder in the alpine downhill category. There was many of her snowboards and videos in the lobby of the hotel.
In the future I would like to explore the whole Taisetsuzan Mountain range, but only after I get much more experience. Hope you all enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. Take care all until next time.
Nice pictures, Japan is a great country but I never have thought visit it since I started to read your blog, thank you!
From Asahidake Onsen, can I take the ropeway and then hike to Sounkyo Onsen? If this is a possible route, does it pass by the Sounkyo Gorge on the way? How long is the hike in total? Would I be able to go back to Asashikawa for the night?
Asahidake to Kurodake (sounkyo) is a popular hiking route, but you should have some experience. If you take the ropeway to sugatami station, the hike from there to Kurodake should take from 6-8 hours depending on how fast you walk.
It does not take you by the Sounkyo Gorge which is another 5 miles from the base of Kurodake, and it would be a hard days journey to make it back to Asahikawa by bus but not impossible.
Hope this helps.
Asahidake is part of the Daisetsuzan National Park and is the highest mountain in Hokkaido and is also a live volcano with numerous fumaroles which spew volcanic smoke.
Great photo’s, never been to Japan but looking at this i need to get saving. Going to Crete next week and there’s some pretty good walking/climbing there, a lot higher than people realise in the interior areas.
I really love your picture. Very good job you’ve done here. Can you tell me wich cam you use? Is it a special one or just a normal digicam, ’cause I really would like to make some of those snapshots too.
Thanks for informations and greetings from Germany,
Gerlinde
Thanks for sharing this helpful information for travellers. Very picturesque images and taking into account the fact I like hiking and nature it was a great pleasure for me to read this story, thanks.
Hi Gerlinde
I use a Canon Kiss F (1000D) for all of my pictures on my site, and I take them all personally.
Hiking Mountains is the craziest hobby.I like to see dams, forests, rivers and other natural beauties. Really,it is a thrilling experience.