Visitor Center Report

August 9, 2014 Cloudy 22°C (3:30 p.m.)
Early this morning a beautiful “sea of clouds” appeared over the land.
The scene was visible from the trail. I’d guess that the flowers and sea of clouds helped climbers forget about the difficult climb to a certain degree.
The early morning temperatures have dropped, and the Tamias sibiricus lineatus and Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis were busy storing food.
Like me, I wonder if the cold gives them the sense that autumn is here, too.
Photos: “Sea of clouds” and Mt. Byobudake (left) and Tamias sibiricus lineatus at Pon Kurodake (right) Aug. 9

The cottony communities of Sieversia pentapetala at Kumonotaira are still beautiful. Mixed in among them are Solidago virgaurea subsp. leiocarpa and Gentiana nipponica that provide an autumnal air.
On the other hand, around Hokkaisawa Stream, Phyllodoce aleutica, Phyllodoce caerulea, Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia, Potentilla matsumurae, Rhododendron aureum, Sieversia pentapetala and other flowers are forming small communities where the snow has melted.
In both places, it appears that these flowers will end their blooming early at around mid-August, depending on the weather.
Photos: Areas around Kumonotaira and Hokkaisawa Stream Aug. 9

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