Central Alps① 17 to 20 Sep. 2014
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17 Sep. Komagane City - Ikeyama Hut
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18 Sep. Ikeyama Hut - Utsugi-dake - Kisokoma Chojo Hut
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19 Sep. Kisokoma Chojo Hut - Kisofukushima Town
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20 Sep. Zero Day in Kisofukushima
17 Sep. Komagane City - Ikeyama Hut
I used a bathroom scale at the hotel and found out that I lost more than 5kg in about 2 weeks. I should eat more.
Komagane City is in a valley between the Southern Alps and the Central Alps and we can enjoy its great view of mountains.
When I started this trip at Mochimune Beach, it was really hot and was still summer. But now the temperature has dropped and the leaves are changing the colours. I can hear the autumn approaching.
Bought food for the next 3 days at a supermarket and left the town to the Central Alps. I stayed at Ikeyama Hut this day. The hut was quite new and maintained very well. However, there might not be many hikers this area and the trail was covered with bamboo grass in some places.
18 Sep. Ikeyama Hut - Utsugi-dake - Hoken-dake - Kisokoma Hut
Started at 4 am before the sun rose. I walked through the forest in a pale light, mystic atmosphere.
I looked back when I came above the tree line and I noticed that there was a thick field of clouds. The clouds filled the valley between the Central Alps and the Southern Alps. It made me feel that I could go to the other side by boat on the surface of the clouds.
Central Alps are basically made of granite and there are lots of huge rocks on the ridge. I made my way to Utsugi-dake through the white rock garden.
Hiked on the ridge with great view of the Southern Alps on my right, Ontake on my left.
When I reached Kisokoma Hut via Hoken-dake, I was totally exhausted. I got into my sleeping back and fell asleep as soon as I finished dinner.
19 Sep. Kisokoma Hut - Kisokoma - Kisofukushima City
It was already 7 am when I woke up. I should have been tired so much.
A guy talked to me when I came out of my tent, "today's sunrise was awesome wasn't it?". Oh I was sound asleep that time...
It was another good day. Clear blue sky and fresh air. The peak of Kisokoma is very close to the Hut. And there is a small shrine at the top. In Japan, the mountains have always been thought to be sacred places. So there are shrines at the top or near mountains in many cases.
After the peak, you can choose route to go down to towns. I took FUkushima-A course to go down to Kisofukushima City.
A few hours later I came across Onsen (hot spring) after comig out of the forest. Onsen after hiking... THIS IS THE BEST COMBO IN THE WORLD! But I screamed when I saw myself in a mirror. I had lost so much weight by then. I should eat more.
It was already dark when I got to Kisofukushima. Kisofukushima is a very historical town and there are many old and beautiful buildings with a Edo Era flavour.
20 Sep. Zero Day in Kisofukushima
Zero Day, rest day. Or eat and sleep day to gain some weight. I enjoyed a very relaxing time in the calm and beautiful town.
Went out to buy food for the next section. The next section is between Kisofukushima and Oyashirazu, the final destination. I estimated that it would take 25 days... how much food should I buy and carry? There is no big town as Kisofukushima afterward, so if you walk this section like me, I would definitely recommend you to prepare well before leaving here.