Author: vc-dev

Despite concerns caused by the rain, as of today, the Akaishi River is crossable, although the water is slightly high.
In addition, the snowy gorge below the Mt. Hokuchindake junction has shortened considerably.
Nonetheless, about 10 meters still remain.
Caution is still required when climbing in the early morning and descending.
Climbers should be sure to bring all of the gear needed to climb safely.
Photos: The Akaishi River (left) and snowy gorge below the Mt. Hokuchindake junction (right) Aug. 9

The Arctous alpinus var. japonicus are already taking on faintly red coloring near Pon Kurodake.
It’s still too early to declare the imminent arrival of the fall colors. However, these flowers, which
generally turn red gradually in ordinary years, have suddenly taken on color everywhere for some
reason this year.
The temperature at Kurodake Ishimuro was 6°C early this morning.
The temperature climbed to near 20°C during the daytime, so it’s a fact that there is a rather large
difference between the high and low temperatures.
Although it is difficult to believe that the temperatures will continue like this, the situation deserves
watching for a little longer.
Photos: Arctous alpinus var. japonicus near Pon Kurodake (with Ohachidaira in the background)
Aug. 9

I was a bit concerned about what the rain might do to the flowers…
However, while some are wilting, of course, Mt. Kurodake still retains its “mountain of flowers” look.
In particular, the flowers of the Solidago virgaurea subsp. leiocarpa, Aconitum yamazakii,
Anaphalis margaritacea subsp. margaritacea, Campanula lasiocarpa, thistles, Hypericum kamtschaticum, Peucedanum multivittatum, Filipendula camtschatica, and other plants are creating quite a spectacle along the trail.
Photos: Saussurea riederi subsp. yezoensis (left) and Solidago virgaurea subsp. leiocarpa (right) near Mt. Kurodake’s 9th Station Aug. 9

Continuous days of bad weather have left the trail in somewhat poor shape.
The heavy rains have created puddles and muddy areas, particularly between the 7th Station and 8th Station. The rocks are also quite slippery.
Climbers should proceed carefully when ascending and descending.
Photo: Near Mt. Kurodake’s 7th Station Aug. 9

The snow on the edge of Daiichi Hanabatake has largely melted where it covered the trail. It is now possible to climb all the way up to the peak without stepping on snow. Sieversia pentapetala spikes are now noticeable at both Daiichi and Daini Hanabatake. Although it appears that the flowering is largely over, the Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia are still beautiful on upper slopes where the snow was slow to melt, and it is likely that some flowers have yet to bloom.

Flower blooming
Daiichi Hanabatake: Sieversia pentapetala spikes, Tilingia ajanensis, Gentiana nipponica ◯
Daiichi Hanabatake (upper): Tilingia ajanensis, Gentiana nipponica ◯; Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia ◎; Potentilla matsumurae, Phyllodoce aleutica
; Sieversia pentapetala, Pedicularis chamissonis var. japonica 
Daini Hanabatake: Sieversia pentapetala, Eriophorum vaginatum subsp. fauriei spikes, Peucedanum multivittatum, Gentiana nipponica ◯; Phyllodoce aleutica, Platanthera tipuloides subsp. tipuloides var. sororia 
Daini Hanabatake (upper): Sieversia pentapetala, Phyllodoce aleutica 
Daini Hanabatake (upper) to Eiko no Sawa rocky slope: Gentiana nipponica, Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia, Peucedanum multivittatum ◯; Tilingia ajanensis, Pedicularis chamissonis var. japonica, Sieversia pentapetala, Phyllodoce aleutica 
Photo: Daiichi Hanabatake, Mt. Midori Aug. 9