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Ascent of Kita-dake on 2006-08-23

Climber: Joseph Hirniak

Date:	Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Ascent Type:	Successful Summit Attained
Peak:	Kita-dake
Location:	Japan
Elevation:	10472 ft / 3191 m
Ascent Trip Report Very steep hike across short mileage - probably very similar to Borah Peak except 2200 feet lower in elevation. This is Japan's second tallest mountain but well worth the hike and hassle of taking the bus from Kofu to the base camp. Only two buses run daily to Hirogawara from Kofu (across the street from the train station). I caught the earlier, at 0930 hrs. and the bus arrived at Hirogawara just before noon. I started hiking immediately and reached the footbridge by 1204 hr. and started up the mountain at 1210 hrs. Reached Shirane Oika at 1543 hrs and pitched my tent next to the hut (2230 meters). Started hiking at 0537 hr. the next morning after intermittant rain through the night. At 0737 hr. arrived on the ridgeline with incredible views of the Minami Alps, esp. northward. At 0818 hr. I reached Kata-no-Koya hut at 3000 meters and finally the summit of Kita dake at 0913 hr. Remained there until 0937 hr. By 0947 hr. I reached the junction of Hachimori Trail and by 1200 hr. I reached the spur trail which leads to Shirane Oika which I had taken the day before. I got back to my tent at 1227 hr.; packed up and departed down the mountain at 1254 hr. I finally arrived at the base (bridge) at 1504 hr. and the bus stop at 1514 hr. completely exhausted and dehydrated and caught the 1600 hr. (last bus departing); I arrived at Kofu Station at 1810 hr. and took the local 1829 hr. train to Takao.