13-14 Aug 2011: The Kamikochi and Hakuba Hike Weekend

So the first serious hiking trip this year. I went to Kamikochi and Hakuba.


Kicked off and ended the trip with traffic jams...

We started off with a very easy trekking in Kamikochi 上高地 http://www.kamikochi.or.jp/english/highlight/ on Saturday afternoon. Pretty easy and good sceneries. We finished on time without spending too much energy, and a nice soft ice cream made with finest milk in the area.

On Sunday, we were given the choices to do either the 5/5 Shirouma route, or 3/5 Happo-ike/Karamatsu-yama route. Without any doubt I went for the second one! However, after the first 30mins, I already feel that the markings are really for serious hikers, and not the spoiled Hong Konger.


The course

• Happou 八方 Nagano Olympic Bus Terminal (Starting at 7:15 am)
• Take Gondola (20 mins)
• Take 2 lift chairs up hill (30 mins total)
• Walk up to Happou-ike 八方池 (40 mins) - Well pathed http://www.hakuba-happo.or.jp/mountain-resort/
• Hike up to Karamatsu-yama 唐松岳　(2.5 hours) - Lots of climbs and narrow rocky hill sides
• Arrived at the Karamatsu-yama 唐松岳頂上山荘　at noon (Approx. 2696.4m in altitude)　http://karamatsu.jp/hutkaramatsu.htm

Taking the same route downhill - although we have (tried to) preserved some energy for the return, knees are hurting and thighs are sore. Even worse, when we arrived at Happou-ike on the return route, rain poured and we were all soaked, and freezing and carried on with the downhill rocky route before we hit the chair lifts and gondola to get to the Happou Bus Terminal. By then everyone are wet inside out!


THEY said this is 3/5 of hardness. I reckon, to HongKongers this is definitely 8 out of 5 marks with regard to the levels of difficulty. The trails are rocky, with either pebbles or big rocks all along. With the acceleration in altitude, I felt a bit short of breathe in times while trying to catch-up with the group. Sometimes even needed to climb across fallen tree trunks and hill side bridges that fits only one person, without fences.
It's really a training for mental and physical fitness, for everyone who wanted/planned to challenge the Mt. Fuji, this will be a very good. And definitely you'd know what to bring essentially.


Taking about essential gears, I am always well equipped. Having said that, I was so regretted I didn't ever buy a rain cover for my bag and rain pants for myself, when it really rains hard, it really pours as long as a full hour! Quite dangerous if not well covered. I felt so cold and so exhausted and so helpless on the mountain even when I was with the team! And a pair of light hiking sticks are must for any mountains like this. Not to mention the sports glove I brought which I could grab onto rocks and trunks without getting cuts.


Here I would like to share with you all in pictures and hope you liked them! It really took me loads of dangerous moments to shooting them!!!
Share my sore, share my joy! 


Part I: Happou-Ike

Part II: Karamatsu-Yama

My hike buddies

After thoughts: In Winter we have the ski, in Summer we have the hikes, both made me feel so tiny in nature, and indeed, it's breathe taking experiences!