Author: vc-dev

The Visitor Center held a course on “Seiryu-no-Taki Fall.”
Seiryu-no-Taki is a waterfall in Seiryunosawa stream, which is just before the Ginga Tunnel near the hot spring village. Originating at Mt. Choyo, the stream flows some 3 km before joining the Ishikari River.
Because the amount of water flowing there is relatively small, Seiryunosawa lives up to its name as a quiet stream (“Seiryunosawa” literally means “quietly flowing stream”).
The photo shows an approximately 5-meter-high ice pillar.
It is not the frozen water of a waterfall. Rather, it is formed by water seeping from the Mt. Choyo agglomerate that froze on rocks and snow surfaces as it fell toward the ground, thus forming a column.
The trail up to the fall was fairly steep. However, the 15 participants took their time and all successfully reached the top.
Photo: A roughly 5-meter-high ice pillar Feb. 23

As I was heading toward Sounkyo Gorge’s popular Momijidani Valley, I saw a fawn cross ahead of me.
I looked around and saw the parent watching, seemingly concerned.
I wanted to continue forward but got the sense that the parent might rush at me.
Between them was a snow mound large enough to completely hide a deer.
The parent stepped determinedly toward the mound, which stood over a meter high, and then, in the next instant, jumped over it.
These animals truly have amazing jumping ability.
The parent finally reached its fawn’s side and seemed relieved.
Deer sometimes jump out unexpectedly, so please watch out for them in areas where encounters are possible, including when driving a car.
Photos: A parent with its fawn in Momojidani Valley, Sounkyo Feb. 20

It was clear in Sounkyo today, the kind of day we haven’t had for a while.
The trees in the gorge are covered with soft rime and create gorgeous scenery.
However, the sun was out for only a few hours. Right now it’s snowing again.
A weather forecast has been issued that predicts rapidly rising temperatures for the first half of next week.
People thinking of climbing or snowshoe hiking should be cautious of avalanches.
Photo: Sounkyo Gorge, near Zangetsu Peak Feb. 20

While walking along the Ishikari River, I suddenly heard a rustling sound.
I had just stumbled on Haliaeetus albicilla taking flight.
Even when seen up close, the bird has a massive and majestic aura.
It skimmed the river’s surface and then suddenly gained altitude and disappeared deep into the gorge.
Photo: Haliaeetus albicilla at Sounkyo Feb. 20

During a walk on snowshoes, I found marks on a tree that were made by a climbing Ursus arctos yesonesis.
My first thought was that they must have been made last fall, but then I remembered that I passed this same place only a few days ago… (The marks were not there then.)
The heavy snowfall of the past few days made it impossible to find clear tracks. However, I did find places of slightly depressed snow in the area that could have been Ursus arctos yesonesis tracks.
Did an Ursus arctos yesonesis wake from hibernation early? Or perhaps it never hibernated at all.
Looking at the width between the claws, it does not appear that the bear was a big one.
Nonetheless, people who plan to go snowshoeing in the mountains should be cautious.
At any rate, young male Ursus arctos yesonesis generally awaken from hibernation in March.
(Pregnant females end their hibernation around early May.)
It’s about time to start carrying noisemakers.
Sap was seeping from the claw marks.
Photo: Marks made by a climbing Ursus arctos yesonesis Feb. 20