Mt.Kai-komagatake (Kuroto-one)

Data

Max altitude: 2967m
Min altitude: 770m
Course distance: 16.2km
Course time: 12h05m

Overview of the mountain

Kai-komagatake belongs to the Southern Japanese Alps, and its highest peak is 2967m above sea level.

"Kai" is the old name of Yamanashi prefecture and "Komagatake" means "the mountain of a horse".
That is because, when the snow on the mountain slowly begins melting in early summer, it emerges horse-shaped snow remaining on the surface of the mountain.
There are about 20 other Komagatakes in Japan for instance Aizu-Komagatake or Kiso-Komagatake, and Kai-Komagatake has the highest peak among them.

The snow-covered-like granite summit is the famous symbol of this mountain, and that white crown enhances grace and dignity.
Kai-komagatake is one of representing mountains in Japan so that it is listed in "Nippon Hyaku-meizan" (100 famous mountains in Japan) and "Nippon Hyakkei" (100 best sceneries in Japan).

This mountain has several approaching routes, and this time I chose Kuroto-one course which is notorious for long steep slopes (This is listed one of "The 3 steep mountaineering routes in Japan".).
So those who take this trail have to overcome the ascent dragging on over 8km and up 2200m vertical elevation.
Still, it isn't so hard for most of hikers who can prepare two days to conquer this mountain.
But this time I have to go back to my house on the same day to start trekking!
So I left my place by car in the midnight and took a short sleep at the parking in front of the trailhead.

By the way, I had three mistakes which made this journey long (Twelve hours!).

1: Having taken some unnecessary gears and worn relatively heavy shoes
2: Overpace
3: Having run short of foods, water and energy supplements

Note, this course isn't for beginners and you should prepare enough foods and mountain gears.
On the other hand, it is also important to reduce the weight of your accessories or you would be worn out in the early stages like me....
And more, you are supposed to submit your trekking plan sheets (English will be accepted.) in the box set in the beginning of the trail.

My visiting report: 28-May-2016, cloudy

At 5:00AM, we started trekking from the trailhead of "Chikuu-komagatake-jinja" shrine.
At 6:30AM, we arrived at "Sasanodaira-bunki" junction.
At 7:50AM, we passed "Hawatari" knifeledge.
At 8:50AM, we took a long rest at "Gogoume-koya-ato" the open space (the 5th station).
At 9:40AM, we arrived at "Shichijo-goya" hut.
At 10:50AM, we passed "Hachigoume-goraigo-jo" the open space (the 8th station).
At 0:10PM, finally we took the peak of Kai-Komagatake.
At 5:00PM, we somehow came back the trailhead.

How to access from Tokyo station

Train and Taxi

Cars

Equipments you'd better prepare(if you intend to challenge the round-trip in a day)

Must-equipped

Preferablly-equipped

+more activities

Ojiro-no-yu (a hot spring nearest from the trailhead)
Ojirogawa-keikoku (a gorge famous for clear water)
Michi-no-eki Hakushu (a shopping complex with a large car parking)