Visitor Center Report

Some flowers are starting to wilt, perhaps as a result of the recent heavy rain. Nonetheless, from the 8th Station up to the peak, the Hypericum kamtschaticum shown in the photo, Trollius riederianus, Filipendula camtschatica, Solidago virgaurea subsp. leiocarpa, and other flowers create vibrant scenes along the trail.
Additionally, the Aconitum yamazakii, Parnassia palustris var. palustris, and other autumn flowers are starting to become noticeable. Mt. Kurodake’s “mountain of flowers” look continues.
Photos: A community of Hypericum kamtschaticum near Mt. Kurodake’s 9th Station (left) and Solidago virgaurea subsp. leiocarpa near the peak (right) Aug. 1

On the Mt. Aka course trail, a snowy gorge of some 32 meters remains in the upper area of Daisan Sekkei. While the distance to be traveled over it has shortened, the surface has become firmly packed. Care is required when ascending and descending. At Daini Kaen, a snowy gorge of roughly 67 meters remains. However, a rope is firmly in place and the grade is not as steep as at Daisan Sekkei, so it should not present a major problem to climbers.
The snowy gorges that remained on the trail at Daiyon Sekkei and Daiichi Kaen have almost completely disappeared as a result of the recent heavy rain.
*Please read the Daisetsuzan Information for more information.
Photo: Upper area of Daisan Sekkei, Mt. Aka Jul. 31

On the Mt. Aka course, the Gentiana algida f. igarashii near the peak have finally started to bud; however, all other conspicuous flowers have stopped blooming. At Daiyon Sekkei, flowers of the Sieversia pentapetala, Phyllodoce aleutica, Arnica unalaschcensis var. unalaschcensis, and Veronica stelleri var. longistyla are now visible, although many wilting flowers are seen throughout Komakusadaira and other areas. At Daiichi Kaen, small communities of Sieversia pentapetala are spreading throughout the area.
The Phyllodoce caerulea and Phyllodoce aleutica will begin blooming in areas where the snow has melted slowly. Then, from early August, the fall flower season will arrive all over the mountain, marked by the gradual appearance of Gentiana algida f. igarashii, Aconitum yamazakii, and other flowers.
Photo: Arnica unalaschcensis var. unalaschcensis at Daiyon Sekkei, Mt. Aka Jul. 31