Mt. Karamatsu / Sunny2022.Sep.26
The section of the route between the Maruyama Cairn (2,430m) and the summit of Mt. Karamatsu (2,696m) lies above the treeline. The main vegetation there is an always-green creeping pine brush, but the occasional splashes of orange and yellow really made it feel like autumn. I had a brief chat with a married couple from Matsumoto city who commented, “We love your trekking reports. The weather today is amazing, and we can even see Mt. Fuji off in the distance.”
[Mountaineering Route to Mt. Karamatsu・Maruyama Cairn－Karamatsu Chojo Sanso]
Gaining elevation further, the mountain air and light breeze went from “cool” to “cold.” Looking back I could see the yellow-accented slope, a row of hikers climbing the ridge and the golden yellow of the rice fields at the base of the mountain (pictured), and I was moved by the beauty of the scene.
[Mountaineering Route to Mt. Karamatsu・Maruyama Cairn－Karamatsu Chojo Sanso]
A line of climbers formed from time to time along the hiking trail, particularly on the steep section just before arriving at the Karamatsu mountain hut (pictured), and I was forced to wait several minutes before being able to proceed. I spoke with a student from Aichi prefecture who said, “I love your site. I had my picture taken by Snownavi during the winter All Japan Student Ski Competition held at Iwatake. Today, I’m going to be tent camping for the first time!”
[Mountaineering Route to Mt. Karamatsu・Maruyama Cairn－
Karamatsu Chojo Sanso]
I reached the summit of Mt. Karamatsu 3 hours and 45 minutes after stepping off of the Grat Quad. The timing coincided with lunch, and around me I could smell hints of Cup Noodle wafting through the air. Two hikers from Osaka and Kyoto told me how happy they were to have come on such a beautiful day, and as I was stopped I cooled down quickly and had to scramble to pull out and put on my jacket.
[Mountaineering Route to Mt. Karamatsu・Karamatsu Chojo Sanso－Mt. Karamatsu Summit]
[Mt. Karamatsu]
*Location … Nagano-ken Kita Azumi-gun Hakuba-mura / Toyama-ken Kurobe-shi
*Starting Point … Happo-ike Sanso
*End point … Happo-ike Sanso
*You must submit a mountaineering report when climbing Mt. Karamatsu, and those without the proper experience should hike with a guide. Avoid climbing alone and unguided as a beginner.
*Gear … Backpack, rain gear, down jacket, towel, change of clothes, pack cover, water・food, medication, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, cell phone
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs
