Visitor Center Report

Although a lot of snow remains on Mt. Kurodake, a variety of alpine plants are flowering in areas
where the snow has melted. (However, much of the flowering is yet to come.)
I’ve posted photos of some of the flowers that can be seen now.
Do you know what their names are?
Walking with a flower guide in your hand can bring more fun to your outing.
Photo: Flowers of Mt. Kurodake Jun. 19

Although the flowers had been blooming early in strong wind areas as a result of the high temperatures in early June, the rate of blooming seems to have slowed somewhat recently.
The Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata and Loiseleuria procumbens are in various stages of blooming, with some already ending, some in peak viewing season, and some just budding.
Of course, the flowers begin blooming where the snow has melted, so the true blooming season is yet to come. The early flowers that can be seen now are those mentioned above.
Although the Phyllodoce caerulea have not yet formed communities, they were very noticeable in the rain.
The weather forecast predicts plenty of sunshine and rising temperatures in the coming days.
I’m looking forward to better weather.
I should mention that the snow is melting at Ishimuro with amazing speed. The buildings are now completely free of snow. The nearby flowers should start blooming soon.
However, there are large snowy gorges here and there in the direction of Kumonotaira and the trail toward the Akaishi River is completely covered with snow. Climbers should be sure to bring all of the gear needed to climb safely.
Photos: Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata (left), Phyllodoce caerulea (center), and Ishimuro (right) Jun. 19

The snow depth pole at Mt. Kurodake’s 7th Station is now completely visible. All of the poles are now exposed.
However, although the snow is certainly melting, there are more snowy gorges remaining than I anticipated.
Possibly due to the low temperatures during the past two weeks, there is a section between the 7th Station and a point about 50 meters before the 9th Station’s snow depth pole that is completely covered with snow.
From there up to the peak, there are snow gorges of roughly 15 meters and 40 meters near the 9th Station and on the steep slope just below the peak.
In all sections, climbers need to be wary of the dangers of punching through snow surfaces, slipping and falling, and becoming lost.
*For mountain information, see: http://sounkyovc.net/trails/kuro/140619kuro.pdf
Photos: Near the 7th Station (left), 8th Station (center), and 9th Station (right) Jun. 19