Hiking Routes
Even though the Hotaka Mountains are often climbed during times of lingering snow, like Golden Week, the following routes are strictly for snow-free periods. When snow has fallen, the area becomes extremely dangerous. Routes may become impassable, so special care is required.
The mountain climbing base at Karasawa lies in a U-shaped cirque dominated by Mount Okuhotaka, Mount Maehotaka and the Tsuri Ridge connecting the two. Because it lies on the northern side of the mountains, snow remains throughout the year.
To the north, beyond a steep descent and ascent at the Daikiretto, the ridge continues across Mount Minami (南岳, Minami-dake?), Mount Ōbami (大喰岳, Ōbami-dake?), ending at Mount Yari. In the south, a ridge stretches from Mount Okuhotaka via Mount Nishihotaka to Mount Yake. The Tsuri Ridge runs from Mount Okuhotaka to Mount Maehotaka, from where a path leads down through a cirque to the bridge Kappabashi in Kamikōchi. Climbing down on the Gifu side, either from the Hotaka Mountain Cottage (穂高岳山荘, Hotakadake Sansō?) through Shiradezawa (白出沢, shiradezawa?) or taking the Shinhotaka Ropeway from next to Nishihotaka-dake, the road and Shinhodaka Onsen (新穂高温泉, Shinhodaka-onsen?) can be reached in the valley below.
Read more about this topic: Mount Hotaka (Nagano, Gifu)
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