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Introduction
When I went to Mt. Tsubakuro in July, we talked about doing a tent camping trek.
Honestly, I had some initial reservations due to concerns about my stamina and it being too "outdoorsy." However, having experienced the "fun of the mountains," which is different from the low-altitude mountains I've enjoyed through trail running, I've become nothing but excited for tent camping treks.
I had originally planned to borrow a tent and backpack, but something stirred within me (material desires), and I decided to buy my own tent. I also bought accessories from Montbell, so I was fully motivated!
And then, the planned day in September arrived, but...
[Terrible News] Postponed Due to Bad Weather!!
I cried so hard I could barely breathe.
I wondered what would happen, but in October, the "First Ever Tent Camping Trek" finally became a reality!
The members were the same as last time at Mt. Tsubakuro. Mr. 987 led everything from the preparation stage. Thank you always!
Our goal is Mt. Sugoroku in the Northern Alps!
Looking at the course time, it takes about an hour and a half from Shinhotaka Onsen, where the mountain climbing center is, to the trailhead. From there, it's about 6 hours to Sugoroku Hut. The summit of Mt. Sugoroku seems to be about an hour away from the hut.
It looks like it's going to be quite a long journey...
Getting Ready (Record of Extravagant Spending)
First, I didn't have any gear, so I had to start by buying everything I needed.
This is what it looked like when I laid out what I bought.
【Tent】Naturehike / Cloud up Pro UL
I wanted Zanearts' "YAR-1", but it wasn't going to be in stock until November, so I had no choice but to give up. When I looked for something inexpensive and reasonably light, I ended up with Naturehike. It's the way of the poor. Romance Saga.
Pochip【Review】I felt that the functionality was sufficient for this overnight camping trip.
【Sleeping Bag】NANGA / UDD BAG 380DX
A 3-season sleeping bag. I was planning to buy a Montbell, but I managed to get a previous model from my coveted NANGA at a really good price.
With a "comfort temperature of 3°C and a lower limit temperature of -2°C", these are probably ideal specifications. A lovely mummy shape.
Pochip【Review】On this occasion, it was likely close to the lower limit temperature, so it was cold without wearing warm clothing. But I slept soundly with it, so it's all good.
【Mat】Mont Bell / Exshelter Air Pad 180
Currently discontinued. I bought this at an outlet store when it was on sale. However, I later realised that the pump bag was sold separately. That's why it was cheap! (Nowadays, the stuff sack usually doubles as a pump.)
With an "R-value of 5.0" and weighing around 670g, the specifications should be sufficient!
https://webshop.montbell.jp/goods/disp_fo.php?product_id=1134274
I didn't want to inflate it with my mouth, so I decided to buy an electric pump separately...
【Mat Inflator】Soomloom / Nexus Air Pump
The battery is not built-in and is powered externally, making it very lightweight and relatively inexpensive.
It's a simple design that starts working when you plug in an external battery, but it had sufficient power and was a convenient product.
It can be bought cheaper than a pump-style stuff sack. Being small and lightweight, it's good that it doesn't add to your luggage.
Pochip[Review] The mat was comfortable to sleep on without feeling cold. It was a bit narrow, but sufficient for just sleeping. The electric pump is super convenient!
[Headlight] NITECORE / NU21
I was a casual trail runner but didn't own a headlamp...
I considered 'milestone' and others, but I chose NITECORE because it's inexpensive and has good reviews. I want to use it as a lantern inside the tent too.
Pochip[Review] I haven't used it for long periods or walked in the mountains with it, but it was reliable with good brightness. If it can be used for a duration close to its specifications (approx. 3.5 hours at 170 lumens), I think it's sufficient.
[Rucksack] Rab / Muon50
As mentioned before, I was planning to borrow a rucksack, but when I went to Ishii Sports just to try some on, I ended up buying one before I knew it.
After trying about 3 different ones, I came to the conclusion that 'fit is more important than weight!', but the one that felt best to wear happened to be the lightest model...
It was good that I could understand and buy it thanks to the staff at Ishii Sports explaining everything patiently. It was a shopping experience that highlighted why you should buy from a specialist store.
Pochip[Review] It paid off to try it on; the weight was distributed well and it was comfortable to use. I can't think of any particular negatives, and I think it's a good rucksack. If I had to mention one thing, it's that there were quite a lot of Rab users.
This initial investment made my wallet cold and my eyes pop out, but each time I buy something, I chant the mantra 'It's cheap compared to bicycle parts', and by preparing a mysterious comparison, I succeeded in completely erasing the guilt associated with overspending. My popping eyes returned to normal. My wallet is very cold.
By the way, the base weight was just under 8kg. Even with water and food, it came in at around 11kg, so it was lighter than I expected.
Let's start!
We were given a lift to "Shin-Hotaka Onsen", where the trailhead is located, by Mr. 987.
We went for two days, Friday to Saturday, but as it was a long weekend, the car park for Saturday had apparently been fully booked, so we started from the Nabedaira car park, which was quite a distance away.
It took about 30 minutes (!) to get from the car park to the mountain centre. The path felt like a normal mountain trail, making me wonder, "Have I already started climbing?"
After passing the mountain centre, we walked along the river to Samata Forest Road. It was a gravel path with a nice atmosphere and a gentle gradient, and I repeatedly thought, "I want to cycle here!" (It was good gravel...)
After walking for about an hour, we arrived at "Wasabi-daira Hut". They had chilled vegetables and fruit on display.
It seemed to be another 15 minutes to the trailhead from here, and I was surprised by the length of this warm-up, thinking, "I haven't even started climbing yet?!"
This must be the trailhead soon.
To Kagami-daira!
Once we entered the mountain trail (Koiso-Shindo?), the path followed the river for a while. The scenery already felt mountainous, filling me with anticipation.
What was unexpected was the heat. It was late for the autumn colours, but the sunlight was hot, like summer. We climbed on, drenched in sweat.
We arrived at Chichibu-sawa Deai. Everything here is so grand and wonderful.
From here, it starts to climb quite steeply, and we headed for our next destination, "Kagami-daira".
At some point, we could see the surrounding mountains, and when someone pointed out a mountain and said, "That's Norikura", I recognised the silhouette! It felt quite profound.
As the altitude increased, the surrounding scenery gradually changed.
It seemed a little late for the autumn colours, but it was lovely in its own way.
There was a spot where we could look down on today's route. I had walked all the way from down there...
And then we arrived at Kagami-daira!
The imposing sight of Mt. Yari and the Hotaka range towering before us. On a windless day, their silhouettes are reflected in the pond – a magnificent location!
The view was so spectacular that I lost track of time for a while, immersed in the scenery.
We took a short break at "Kagami-daira Mountain Hut", located right next to Kagami-daira.
It was supposed to be a short break, but then Rinta-kun started eating "miso ramen". Watching him made me suddenly hungry. I wish I'd ordered one too.
The view from this hut is also good.
It's said to take about 2 hours from here to "Sugoroku Hut", today's campsite, so the hard part is still ahead.
To Sugoroku Hut!
The climb from the mountain lodge to Yumi-ori Pass was a steep ascent. As I reached an altitude where the treeline ended, my weak constitution made me noticeably breathless, so I climbed at a sustainable pace, resting frequently.
However, despite how tough this path was, the scenery was exceptionally beautiful. To be able to look down on Kagami-daira, which we were at earlier, so clearly was just the best.
The path continues on, but the ridgeline seems close.
And then, we arrived at the trail junction, Yumi-ori Pass. What a magnificent view this is too...
There was a bench, so I took a short break.
It's overwhelming.
I proceeded towards Mt. Sugoroku from the junction.
Finally, I reached the ridgeline here.
Kagami-daira looks small from here too.
I thought there was a grand mountain here, but later found out that this was my destination, 'Mt. Sugoroku'.
Walking along the open ridgeline. The wind wasn't too strong that day, so it was unexpectedly just hot.
When it's the flower season, you can see various kinds of flowers. I'd love to see the scenery then too.
Proceeding forward through small ups and downs.
Finally, Sugoroku Hut came into view in the distance.
It looks incredibly wonderful...
And finally, I arrived at 'Sugoroku Hut'!
I've finally arrived!
I ordered curry for lunch. Curry tastes so good in the mountains.
After eating, I attempted to set up my tent, which I'm not used to. I managed to set it up without any major issues.
This shall be our campsite!
It's a good location near the hut and by Sugoroku Pond.
I felt like sleeping right there, but from here, I'll take my daypack and aim for the summit of 'Mt. Sugoroku'!
From the 'Sky Runway' to the magnificent summit!
With minimal luggage, I head for Mt. Sugoroku.
There's a trail next to the hut, so I started climbing from there.
The view to the north is starting to get better.
It seems you can also access Mt. Mitsumata Renge... Toyama is also close, isn't it?
The steep ascent begins.
Once I finished the steep climb, the view suddenly opened up. It felt like Masaharu Sakai and Masako Natsume might appear at any moment. It's like Gandhara, the land of love.
I proceed along the open path towards the summit.
And this time, we achieved a peak hunt of our destination, "Mt. Sugoroku (2,860m)"!
The view from the summit was incredibly powerful and a feast for the eyes!
Apparently, the path we walked earlier, Gandhara, is called the "Sky Runway". Now that you mention it, it doesn't look entirely unlike it.
The summit is surrounded by the Northern Alps, and the wonderfulness of the view is that a magnificent panorama unfolds in every direction, 360 degrees. A marvellous絶景 (zetsukei - superb view).
The power can't be conveyed through photos...
We didn't intend to stay long, but everyone was so captivated by this view that nobody wanted to leave...
"You're not going to have coffee on the summit, are you?" Nobody had brought a burner, but in such a magnificent space, we were saying to each other, "It would have been nice to drink coffee here and relax."
I never imagined the summit would be this wonderful.
Mt. Sugoroku, the best.
After returning to the campsite, the sun began to set and it suddenly started to get cold.
Once it was completely dark, it felt like midwinter. We put on our cold-weather gear, had a simple dinner, prepared for bed, and fell asleep as soon as we got into our sleeping bags.
Once, when I woke up in the middle of the night to use the toilet, I happened to look up and saw a sky full of stars. I didn't have my smartphone or camera with me, so I just stared blankly at the sky by myself, but it might have been the most beautiful starry sky I've ever seen in my life.
Descended without seeing the sunrise
The previous day, when the topic of "If we can wake up around 4 AM, let's go see the sunrise" came up, I felt so tired at that point that I said, "I might not be able to make it..." In the end, it was decided that "only those who can wake up will go see the sunrise." I didn't set an alarm, so I woke up just before 5 AM. I slept surprisingly soundly...
I thought everyone else had gone, but I found Shimizu-san inside the tent. It seemed that Shimizu-san and Rinta-kun had gone to see the sunrise by themselves.
Shimizu-san and I talked about how we wanted to see the sunrise, and we even climbed a bit up Mt. Sugoroku looking for a nearby spot, but it seemed difficult to reach a place where we could see the sunrise.
In the end, we could only see it from in front of the hut, but the morning glow overlooking Mt. Yarigatake, which we climbed in July, was a beautiful sight in its own way.
After that, we all had breakfast and prepared to descend. I was shown photos of the sunrise, and they were incredibly beautiful... I really should have pushed myself to wake up at times like these.
Although it was a little late, we started our descent.
Even though it was the same scenery I saw on the way up yesterday, I was still captivated by it on the way down.
I thought the mountain peeking out from above the clouds in the distance was "Mt. Hakusan". I want to go to Mt. Hakusan!
Descending slowly.
Mirror Pond came into view.
Break at Mirror Pond Hut.
Is it reflected more clearly in the pond than the day before?
This was the first day of a three-day weekend. Many people were coming up from the halfway point, so it was hard to make progress. Three-day weekends are formidable.
The enjoyable climb comes to an end here.
It was a bit tough, but incredibly fun!
Conclusion
This was another incredibly rich and enjoyable climb! I strongly feel that it was an invaluable experience that can only be savoured by doing it.
The summit of Mt. Sugoroku was truly wonderful. Thanks to the clear skies on both days, being able to appreciate the presence of the surrounding mountains and the starry sky was the best. Also, it was scorching hot during the day but freezing cold at night... I feel like I was able to fully enjoy being immersed in nature.
For my first time camping, I feel I had the best possible experience. Many thanks to 987-san!!!
The items I prepared worked well, and I also got to experience the feeling of 'that might have been more convenient if I had it', so I feel I might be heading in a slightly bad direction in terms of consumerism.
On the way back, I was given a presentation on 'Winter mountain climbing is also fun', and before I knew it, I had bought mountaineering boots that I could attach crampons to.
It's scary. My own consumerism...
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