Author: vc-dev

The snow is also gradually melting in the lower area of Daini Hanabatake. However, the section up to the Eiko no Sawa rocky slope remains a massive snowfield, with the exception of about 50 meters where the trail is exposed in Daini Hanabatake’s upper area. The snow is quite steep near the Eiko no Sawa rocky slope; a climber that slips and falls will not stop until reaching the bottom.
Particular caution should be exercised here.
Photo: Daini Hanabatake, Mt. Midori Jul. 5

The Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata on the Mt. Midori ridgeline have passed their peak and are beginning to fade. The area will be in a transitional phase until the gorgeous flowers of the Therorhodion camtschaticum and other plants begin to bloom. Those who wish to enjoy the flowers should probably head to Koizumidaira instead. However, trips should be planned to allow plenty of time. Also, protection against the cold is a must, as it can get very chilly on the ridge
when the wind is blowing!

Flower blooming
Mt. Midori rocky slope to peak: Pinus pumila, Vaccinium vitis-idaea ◯; Aconogonon ajanense, Stellaria pterosperma, Spiraea betulifolia var. aemiliana , Pennellianthus frutescens, Patrinia sibirica
; Potentilla miyabei, Potentilla matsumurae, Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata 
Peak to Itagaki junction: Cassiope lycopodioides, Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata, Potentilla matsumurae, Oxytropis japonica var. sericea, Viola crassa subsp. crassa, Lagotis yesoensis ; Arenaria arctica var. arctica
; Therorhodion camtschaticum (budding)
Photo: Near the Mt. Midori peak Jul. 5

The Dryas octopetala var. asiatica at Koizumidaira are approaching the peak of their blooming season. Although some wilting among the Lagotis yesoensis can be seen, the flower fields in strong-wind areas are vibrant, with the purple flowers of the Oxytropis japonica var. sericea mixed in with the yellow flowers of the Viola crassa subsp. crassa, Potentilla matsumurae, and Pedicularis oederi subsp. heteroglossa.
Flower blooming (Koizumidaira): Dryas octopetala var. asiatica, Viola crassa subsp. crassa, Potentilla matsumurae ◯; Pedicularis oederi subsp. heteroglossa, Arenaria arctica var. arctica
; Oxytropis japonica var. sericea, Lagotis yesoensis, Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata ; Patrinia sibirica, Aconogonon ajanense (starting), Bupleurum ajanense (budding)
Photo: Koizumidaira Jul. 5

A lot of snow has melted at Mt. Midori’s Daiichi Hanabatake over the past week. There is a
snow-covered slope of about 150 meters below the corridor linking it with Daini Hanabatake;
however, the boardwalk is exposed and easy to walk on in all other areas. Water is flowing on the
trail in the corridor with Daini Hanabatake and creating snow bridges. Consequently, climbers
should be wary of the danger of punching through the snow’s surface for the next few days.
Photo: Daiichi Hanabatake, Mt. Midori Jul. 5

The Rhododendron aureum communities are continuing to form.
In addition, the Sieversia pentapetala and Phyllodoce caerulea are blooming along the trail.
The flowers can be seen in limited areas only. However, this is partly due to remaining snow in the area, and we can look to the weather to fix that.
Photos: Near Kumonotaira Jul. 4