Mt. Hakuba Norikura / Sunny2022.Jun.13
There is still plenty of snow left in and above the Tsugaike Nature Park, which this report on Mt. Hakuba Norikura should illustrate quite clearly. The first steep climb (the switchbacking trail from which this photo was taken) that commences from the trailhead next to the Visitor’s Center was on exposed dirt trail, but the remainder of the hike from that point forward was on snow and utilized a different route than the usual summer course.
[Trailhead leading to Hakuba Oike・Ropeway Summit Station 〜 Tenguhara]
I found the snow to be slushy and slippery even while using 6-point crampons, and soon began wishing I had rented trekking poles from the station at the top of the ropeway. (※Rentals available for ¥500 per day.) I later ran into a pair of hikers from Hakuba who told me, “We planned to hike up to Tenguhara, but decided to turn back early.”
[Trailhead leading to Hakuba Oike・Ropeway Summit Station 〜 Tenguhara]
I departed from the top ropeway station at 8:40 and arrived at Tenguhara (pictured) at 10:20. Ordinarily the route can be covered in a little over an hour, but the remaining snow slowed me down, robbing me of my balance and energy. Tenguhara’s wooden boardwalks were almost entirely free of snow, and the cold easterly wind along with my sweat-drenched clothes had me scrambling to put on a jacket.
[Trailhead leading to Hakuba Oike・Tenguhara]
On the snow-covered eastern face of Mt. Hakuba Norikura (pictured), the slope grew steeper the higher up I went. Before long, I began to fear slipping and ended up climbing on all fours before eventually giving up and turning back shy of the summit. By the time I made it back, my face was completely red from sunburn.
[Trailhead leading to Hakuba Oike・Eastern Face of Mt. Hakuba Norikura]
[Tsugaike Nature Park Availability Information]
*Summer Season … June. 11 (Sat)－Oct. 23 (Sun), 2022
*Opening Hours … 8:00 a.m.－4:40 p. m. (Early morning operation will commence on July. 9)
*Fees … Tsugaike Ropeway Round-trip + Nature Park / Adult: JPY3,700, Children JPY2,100 →Adult Advance Discount Tickets JPY3,300! (Please go to the gondola station directly without exchanging the ticket)
[Hakuba Tsugaike WOW! Availability Information]
*Summer Season … June. 11 (Sat)－Oct. 23 (Sun), 2022
*Opening Hours … 9:00 a.m.－4:00 p.m. (Last entry 3:00 p.m.)
*Fees … Tobidas: Adult & 6–12 y/o JPY1,000, Fumidas: Adult & 6–12 y/o JPY800, Kabedas: Adult & 6–12 y/o JPY500, Kogidas: Adult & 6–12 y/o JPY2,000, Pochadasu: Adult JPY2,800, 6–12 y/o JPY2,500
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs
*Tsugaike Nature Park & WOW! will be reported 1－2 times a week
