Author: vc-dev

The leaves at Daisan Sekkei have not changed color much in the upper and middle areas; however, those of the lower area are coloring considerably.
The fall foliage is now spreading over a broad area particularly in the lower area. Adding in the red of the berries, the coloring is particularly conspicuous, even from a distance.
Photo: Sorbus matsumurana in the lower area of Daisan Sekkei, Mt. Aka Aug. 28

The Sorbus commixta leaves have changed considerably at around 1,500 meters as a result of the recent cold. They are coloring nicely at the present time, without any major injuries or damage from sawflies. Comparing the years in terms of low temperatures only, it is apparent that conditions this year are approaching those seen in 2003, when the Sorbus commixta leaves took on a very deep red.
However, the long-term forecast for September predicts that temperatures will be higher than normal. Thus, we will have to wait and see how the coloring actually unfolds. Nonetheless, I am slightly more hopeful at this early stage of the season than in most years.
Photo: Sorbus matsumurana in the lower area of Daiichi Kaen, Mt. Aka Aug. 28

This morning, when the low temperature fell to 6°C at Sounkyo, the puddles on the Daisetsuzan ridgeline were frozen. It was probably the first freezing of the season.
I heard that the temperature at the Hakuun hut fell to a low of 1.7°C. On the ridgeline, a cold wind that felt more like late fall or early winter than fall blew. Climbers planning to enter the mountains should be fully prepared for the cold.
According to the Hakuun hut’s caretaker, the watering place there should provide water until the end of the season.
Photos: The first freezing of the season seen on Itagaki Shindo (left) and the Mt. Hakuun hut’s watering place (right) Aug 26

The recent cold temperatures appear to have accelerated the coloring of the Arctous alpinus var.
japonicus. At the community of Arctous alpinus var. japonicus near the Itagaki junction, which each year colors with a festoon-like appearance, about 50% to 60% of the leaves have turned. Its best viewing season is not far off.
Photo: Near Itagaki junction Aug. 26

With the cold of the past few days, it seems as if someone has flipped the “fall foliage” switch to “on” for the slope extending from below Mt. Midori’s peak down to Daiichi Hanabatake at its midway point. Although in the distance in the photographs and therefore hard to see, leaves of the Sorbus matsumurana communities in the upper Daiichi Hanabatake and upper Minamisawa (popularly known as “Tasuki no Koyo”) have become red in some areas. The coloring is still limited and not widespread; however, it is plain to see that the leaves are turning.
According to the one-month forecast, the weather will be marked by high temperatures and large amounts of rainfall. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether the coloring will continue at this pace.
However, at the present time, it seems like the leaves are turning about one week earlier than last year.
Photos: Mt. Midori’s Daiichi Hanabatake (left) and Minamisawa looking toward “Tasuki no Koyo”
(right) Aug. 26