Visitor Center Report

On the Ginsendai-Mt. Aka course, the snow has melted considerably near Daiyon Sekkei since the last report, and each day the alpine plants are becoming more conspicuous in terms of both the varieties that are blooming and the sizes of their communities. The Rhododendron aureum and
Sieversia pentapetala are particularly numerous, and Anemone narcissiflora var. japonomonantha, Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia, Cassiope lycopodioides, and Phyllodoce caerulea can be seen here and there amongst them.
Around the peak, the Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata and Dryas octopetala var. asiatica are wilting somewhat. However, the Lagotis yesoensis and other plants remain beautiful. At Komakusadaira, the Pennellianthus frutescens and Pedicularis oederi subsp. heteroglossa have started to bloom, and the Dicentra peregrina are almost in full bloom. And on the Mt. Aka course, a mixture of early-blooming and late-blooming alpine plants will be visible until around mid-July.
Now is a good time to climb, but please check the weather and snow-melting conditions before you set out.
Photo: Daiyon Sekkei, Mt. Aka Jul. 7

The snowy gorge that deserves the most caution on the Mt. Aka course is a hazardous steep gorge of roughly 65 meters that exists between the upper part of Daiichi Kaen and the lookout. Climbers are advised to ascend or descend through it only after checking the quality of the snow there.

Snowy gorge information:
Daiichi Kaen: The trail is exposed in three locations: before the snow depth pole and sign, the middle section, and below the lookout. However, snowmelt is flowing into the area around the middle section and making it very muddy.
Daini Kaen: The entire trail is covered with snow; however, it is marked with pink tape.
Daisan Sekkei: The entire trail is covered with snow, and the steep slope makes the climb quite taxing.
Daiyon Sekkei: A snowy gorge of roughly 130 meters remains in the lower area.
Photo: Snowy gorge in upper Daiichi Kaen Jul. 7

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