Visitor Center Report

Where did the heat of early June go?
Right now it is windy and very cold in Sounkyo.
The temperature is falling daily and currently stands at 13°C outside the center.
Even so, over 20 flowers are currently blooming in Momijidani Valley, Sounkyo’s popular walking trail, among them Weigela middendorffiana and Clematis alpina subsp. ochotensis var. fusijamana.
In particular, the Aconitum gigas will soon be forming the communities it is known for.
Photo: Flowers in bloom along the Momijidani walking trail Jun. 14

The Helonias kawanoi, Arabis serrata var. glauca, Viola alliariifolia, Anemone soyensis and Rhododendron aureum are blooming from the area near Mt. Kurodake’s 9th Station.
Near the peak, the Rhododendron aureum, Potentilla miyabei, Arcterica nana, Loiseleuria procumbens, Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata, and Arctous alpinus var. japonicus are blooming.
In particular, the Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata and Loiseleuria procumbens are seen spreading out throughout the area.
The warm temperatures since the end of May seem to have accelerated blooming somewhat in areas subjected to strong winds.
Surprisingly, a single Dicentra peregrina was found blooming just below the peak.
It is very early to be seeing this flower.
Although nothing is certain, as everything depends on the weather, it is unlikely that cold winter-like temperatures will return, and therefore the blooming is expected to continue.
It has rained since early this morning.
The wind picked up and thunder could be heard in the distance.
Visibility also deteriorated, so this is as far as I am able to report today.
Photos: Rhododendron aureum at the Mt. Kurodake peak (left) and Loiseleuria procumbens near
the peak (right) Jun. 10

After passing the snow depth pole of the 9th Station, the trail becomes exposed in some places up to the steep slope just below the peak.
Some areas must still be passed by walking on the snow, so care is required to avoid punching through the snow’s surface.
Additionally, a lot of snow remains on the steep slope just below the peak. The slope is so steep that a slip could cause a climber to fall all the way to the bottom.
Climbers are therefore advised to be fully prepared and to proceed carefully when ascending and descending.
Photos: Near the 9th Station (left) and the steep slope below the peak (right) Jun. 10

The snow has melted even more since last week.
About one meter of the snow depth pole at the 7th Station is exposed, while that at the 8th Station is completely visible.
However, this section is still completely covered with snow.
Many areas of the snow’s surface were frozen today. Climbers should take care to avoid slipping there.
Climbers should also be aware that the trail is extremely easy to lose in dense fog.
*For mountain information, see: http://sounkyovc.net/trails/kuro/140610kuro.pdf
Photos: Near the respective snow depth poles of Mt. Kurodake’s 7th Station (left) and 8th Station (right) Jun. 10

Sobakudai is a popular walking area in Sounkyo.
With Ginga-no-Taki and Ryusei-no-Taki Falls as a backdrop, the trail brings visitors to a point where they can see both waterfalls and Mt. Kurodake in about 25 minutes.
The snowmelt is adding to the flow and magnifying the waterfalls’ power.
If you are planning a visit to Sounkyo, why don’t take the walk to this magnificent scenic point?
(More information is available via the main page of the Visitor Course’s website.)
Photo: Sobakudai Jun. 5