Kumotoriyama 雲取山, 2.017 m

雲取山
Kumotoriyama
2.017 m

  1. Dec 2010

It was a beautiful day.  

The day before it rained and the temperature was mild. Then strong wind brought some cold and clear air. A perfect day for hiking.  I left Takasaki at 5:40 am, took the highway and then R411. At 08:00 I arrived at Kamosawa, 135 km from Takasaki.

On the way to Kumutoriyama-parking area I could enjoy a beautiful sunrise. Fuji-san was covered with snow – shining orange in the morning light. Due to the good weather I decided to hike to big loop starting from the village and return via Sanjounoyu-Onsen.  Hiking started at 8:10 am.

Up to Kumotoriyama the hiking trail leads for the first two hours through forest and is easy to go. Above 1600 meter it follows a mountain ridge with a great view on Fujisan. No climbing necessary, easy to walk. The weather was fine the whole day: clear sky, cold air but sunny and good view, no wind, and temperature about 0 degrees.

On the top of Kumotoriyama (雲取山), I had a short lunch break and then climbed down. I mixed up the Kanji and took the wrong way – the way to Kumotoriyamagoya. Now the trail became a little bit steeper and rocky, but easy to go and well secured with ropes. After I reached the mountain hut I recognized the mistake. For fortune there is a bypass from the mountain hut on northwest side – no need t climb back up again…

The way down to the Onsen was quite interesting. Sometimes the path crosses steep rocks, than it leads through forest again. I took a short bath in the sulfur-smelling Sanjounoyu-Onsen. From there the forest-road is not far (20 min). Because it already became late I jogged the next 6 km downhill. After that my legs really felt tired… .

Anyway, I can really recommend to do it this trip in this direction because then the way back follows a “easy to go” forest road for about 7 km. From technical point of view it was one of the easiest mountains I have climbed in Japan but good condition is required.

During hiking back from the Onsen I meet about 15 forest workers which were on their way back home. Later I meet them again – they had a snack at a parking lot. I was offered some tea, yakisoba and a hot bowl with egg, chicken leg and vegetable. Everything was which really delicious. And finally they gave me a lift for the last km back to my car.  ども　ありがとうございます.

I left back home at 4:45 pm and arrived at 7:00 pm in Takasaki.

Hiking-Keydata:
雲取山 Kumotoriyama   4. Dec 2010

Start      鴨沢 (Kamosawa)            8:10 am               540 m
Trail up 堂所 (Dousho)                  1.270 m
Top        雲取山 (Kumotoriyama)               12:00 pm               2.017 m
Trail down           雲取山荘 (Kumotorisansou)               12:30 pm             1.825 m              
三条ダルミ (Sanjoudarumi)        1:15 pm               1.750 m
三条ノ湯 (Sanjounoyu) 3:15 pm               1.090 m
お祭 (Omatsuri)               4:20 pm               560 m
Finish    鴨沢 (Kamosawa)            4:45 pm               540 m

Duration:             8 h 20 min           Distance:             25,4 km          Height: 1.477 m

Kobushigatake 甲武信ヶ岳, 2.475 m

甲武信ヶ岳
Kobushigatake
2.475 m

  1. Oct 2010

Start in Takasaki at 6:45 am, take highway and R140, arrive after 140 km at Nishi Sawa Keikou at 08:45 am.

Weather was fine, blue sky, temperature 7°C in the morning, up to 15°C during the day.

It was a beautiful autumn day. Many people came to the valley to watch autumn leaves but only a few hiked the mountain. The trail followed an old mining railroad and was easy to climb. Rocks consist mainly of granite and clear, white quartz. After crossing the river the path becomes steep. Above 2.200 meters the ground is frozen but the air temperature seems warm due to sunny weather. From the peak there is a fantastic view on Fujisan and other mountains. I take a rest for about one hour lying on the rocks and enjoying the clear air and good view. The way back is easy to go but little long. I reach the car just before it gets dark. After buying some local specialties for supper I leave back home at 5:45 pm and arrive in Takasaki at 8:00 pm.

Hiking-Keydata:
甲武信ヶ岳Kobushigatake         23.Oct 2010

Start      Nishi Sawa Keikoku, 西沢渓谷蒟蒻館 登山者用駐車場       9:00 am               1.150 m
Trail up 近丸新道入口 (Kinmarushindouiriguchi) 長丁場の坂道 (Chouchoubanosakamichi) 
Top        木賊山 (Kizokuyama)     12:35 pm               2.469 m
Trail       甲武信小屋 (Kobushingoya)       12:50 pm               2.380 m
Top        甲武信ヶ岳 (Kobushigatake)      1:00 pm               2.475 m
Trail down           徳ちゃん新道 (Tokuchanshindou)                              
Finish    Nishi Sawa Keikoku, 西沢渓谷蒟蒻館 登山者用駐車場       5.00 pm               1.150 m

Duration:             8 h          Distance:             14 km               Height: 1.502 m