Ichinokurasawa Gorge in winter with Brompton - the most dangerous cliff for clibming

Yesterday I went to ICHINOKURASAWA for a snow ride with Brompton equipped with Scwalbe Winter, a pair of 16-inch stud tires. 

Situated east of Mt. Tanigawa-dake (1,977 meters), Ichinokurasawa is a rocky tract that sits at a bit less than 2,000 meters above sea level but is a place with steep cliffs, a complex topography, and fierce variations in the changing weather. The cliffs of Ichinokurasawa are among the three most notable rocky formations in Japan and attract Alpine climbers and gorge-climbing enthusiasts from across the country and overseas.

Though the road led to Ichinokurasawa is closed to vehicle due to snow layer exceeding 4 meters and risks of frequent avalanche during winter, climbers can enter the road from the gate at their own risk. Those who want to watch snow-covered Ichinokurasawa Gorge or dare to climb the cliffs to the peak during winter season start from the closed gate to go for about 3.4 km walk to reach there.

I wanted to see beautiful Ichinokurasawa in winter. One of the sites for mountain lovers said that in this season the snow volume around Mt. Tanigawa-dake was still much less than usual year and did not require heavy duty equipment. Hopefully the snow covers just a part of the road for a while.


[data]
route:  Tanigawa Ropeway Station to Ichinokurasawa, Ichinokurasawa to Doai Station 
distance: 8.5 km (3.4 km to Ichinokurasawa)
max. difference of an elevation: 225m
average % of slope: total -0.6% ascent 3.8% descent 4.8%
acquired elevation: ascent 119 m descent 219 m

From Tokyo, you may get on Joetsu Shinkansen to get off at Jomo Kogen Station (1.5 hour) and take a bus bound for Tenjindaira Ropeway Station (about 45 min.). Unfold your Brompton and let's start. 

The 3.4 km way to Ichinokurasawa started like this. Deep snow was beyond my expectation. Brompton and I suffered a lot. Only a good thing was that weather was nice. 

We reached at a half way point. Took a rest for a while.

Then restart. We reached at Machigasawa Gorge.

I met a gentleman who was on his return to the gate. He told that snow was not that heavy compared with usual year. Based on his frequent visits to the area, most of the trees were usually under snow surface during late January and February.

Finally reaching Ichinokurasawa.

Look! Though partly covered with cloud, I understood why this beautiful and noble figures had attracted a lot of climbers and mountain lovers. 

They were the most famous cliffs in Japan on which a lot of climbers challenged and lost their lives.

Based on statistics starting from 1931, accumulated number of victims in Mt. Tanigawadake is 805 as of the end of 2012 and most of them met fatal accidents in Ichinokurasawa during rock climbing. The number of the victims is recorded as the worst in the world in the Guiness Book.

I mourned and prayed for the victims. I was on the way back to the lower bound.

Three Bromptons reached the Shibu Touge Pass of 2172 meter high

Today three Bromptons went out for a hillclimb ride to reach the Shibu Touge where was the highest point of all the roads in Japan.

[data]
route　Kusatsu International Ski Resort Parking→Shibu Touge(2172m)→
           Shibu Touge Hotel→Kusatsu Hot Spring Bus terminal
distance 39.3km
max. difference in elevation 1000m
average % of slope total-0.1% ascent5.8% descent5.9%
gained elevation ascent 1092m descent 1144m

An hour and half after starting a ride, we were already beyond 2000 meter high.

In the back we can see a long and winding road extended from the foot to the peak of the mountain.

My friend has caught up with me.

In this high mountain a thick pile of snow was still seen even during mid May.

The three Bromptons were posing in front of a glacier-like snow layer.

The steep slope still continued to the peak.

But, see, what a stunning view it is!

We finally reached the peak of Route 292, the highest point in Japan as a part of all the national roads.

Then we went on another 200 meters to get to the Shibu Touge located at a border of Nagano and Gunma Prefecture. Many skiers enjoyed a plenty of snow here.

I was hungry after a tough ride. Let's have a late lunch at the Shibu Touge Hotel.

Go to the end of that valley: Kirizumi Hot Spring

Spring has come. Snow has disappeared and trees has started to spraut new leaves. Let's go for a Brompton ride to enjoy fresh green in the mountains.

Today Brompton and I went to the Kirizumi Onsen hot spring. Kirizumi is located in the end of the deep mountain valley.

[data]
route JR Yokokawa Station to Kirizumi Kinto-kan
distance 14km
difference in elevation 680m

I started today's ride from JR Yokokawa Station. From Tokyo, you can reach there by the combination of JOETSU or HOKURIKU Shinkansen (to Takasaki Station) and Shin-etsu Line, a conventional line, to Yokokawa Station.

When I went over Nakayama Village, one of the old station town of Nakasendo (Central Main Road from Kyoto to Edo), there was a junction to Karuizawa and to Kirizumi. Take right to Kirizumi.

On the way to Kirizumi, there was a dam for flood control and water use. The Kirizumi Onsen hot spring is located upstream. I need to go to the end of that valley.

The road becomes narrower and narrower along the valley.

The fresh foliage is reflecting morning sunlight and shining. So beautiful.

Brompton goes over one of the mountain streams.

Because of snow thawing, every river rises and fall displays wonderful water cartains.

Here the road for vehicle ends up and the trail starts. The trail is steep, winding, no guard rail...  The Kirizumi Kinto-kan hot spring is only 3km from here.

The hot spring lodge, Kinto-kan, suddenly emerged from the bottom of the green valley.

The landlady welcomed me and Brompton. They offer not only lodging but also bathing service. Mountain climbers often use a bath here when they descend a mountain.

A plenty of natural hot spring directly bubbling up from the earth filled the bath tab and always overflow to the outside. As the hot spring here contains carbonic dioxide gas, it warms one's body up and removes fatigue with blood flow acceleration.

What a wonderful experience it is!

Spring has come. Let's go beyond the clouds!

Spring has come. Let's go to high mountains to look for their wakes for spring.

Today Brompton and I went to Takamine-Yunomaru Woodland Path. I heard that the path was in process of clearing snow last week toward being opened by this coming early-May holiday season. I expect that the work has been almost completed and a bike can go through from Takamine to Yunomaru.

Route: Takamine - Yunomaru - Kazawa Hot Spring - JR Manza Kazawaguchi Station
Distance: 30.4km

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zVh_vanqLQwc.knBa0-qcT1dg

Take Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Sakudaira Station of Nagano prefecture.

Then take bus to Takamine Kogen located at the altitude of 1973 meters.

Arrived.

Then proceeded to the gate to the mountain path "Takamine Yunomaru Line".

The path leads from Takamine Hot Spring to Yunomaru Toge where is located 8 km from the gate.

You might be surprised at this stunning view of the road and mountain in the mid of the route.

Pile of snow on the unpaved road has been all cleared.

However, not a few parts of the road had been destroyed by avalanche. That is a part of why the road is closed to vehicles except bicycles.

The road still runs uphill. Due to thin air at the 2000-meter mountain, my breathing is gettig difficult and I needs a rest every 5 minutes.

But, what a wonderful view it is!

Arrived at the mid of the course. Uphill turns to downhill from here.

Almost 2 hours after leaving the gate, Brompton and I reached a famous hot spring lodge at Kazawa. The place is one of my favorites.

I washed sweat away in the hot spring.

 

Thirsty. Let's drink my favorite mineral water. 



After bathing, I ordered soba noodle which was the specialty at the attached restaurant.