Brompton Peak Hunting and Hot Spring

Yesterday, Brompton S2L and I went over a part of the ridge of the North Alps, the highest mountain range in Japan with those around 2,000 - 3,000 meter peak elevations, to reach the Renge Onsen, a mountain hot spring with the best panoramic view located in another side of the mountain.

The plan was like this: First, transporting my Brompton packed in Carradice Rucksack to the peak of Mt. Norikura, a mountain with an elevation of 2,456 meters. After the peak hunting, unfolding Brompton there and starting to take a downhill ride to the destination. The mountain trail will be quite wild but I would try to ride as much as possible. 

MAP:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zVh_vanqLQwc.klIjzdwq1tAg&usp=sharing

Early in the morning I got on the cable car from Tsugaike Highland in order to reach the entrance of the trail located at an elevation of 1,900 meters. It's the fastest way to go to the peak.

When I arrived at the trail head, I started climbing the mountain. My Brompton was on my back in the Folding Bike Case Rucksack.

After less than 3 hours of climbing the rocky trail, Brompton and I finally reached the summit of Mount Norikura at an elevation of 2,456 meters. I unfolded my brompton here to start a downhill.

The trekking route from the peak to the hot spring was tricky and tough. It was initially expected to take 2 hours but reality was more than 3 hours!

Due to such wild conditions in the mountain trail, I often needed to transport Brompton like this. Off yer bike was also effective to manage a bike on such a trail.

When I completely used my energy and internal water up, I reached the lodge of the hot spring.  The Renge Onsen is located at an elevation of 1,475 meters. There was covered with a thick fog in yesterday afternoon. 

Let's being soaked in one of the wild open-air hot springs to wash out all the sweat. 

When I finished bathing, I needed to rush to JR Hiraiwa Station, 21 kilometer away from the hot spring, in order to go home by dinner. In such a case, Brompton always did a good job!

After an hour ride and descending by 1,300 meters of its elevation, a local train arrived just on time. 

I changed the train to take Hokuriku Shinkansen at JR Itoigawa Station. It only took 2 and half hours to go home.

Why don't you enjoy mountain trekking in Japanese wonderful high mountains and visit hot springs with your Brompton? It's a great fun!

Critical fracture

Last weekend I suddenly noticed that body rigidity was lost during a ride on my Brompton M3L.

When I stopped riding and checked the flame and other parts, I found a crack and fracture in the rear flame. 

It's a serious injury!

I took my Brompton M3L to Wada Cycle immediately. The Brompton experts of Wada told that they've never seen such a case. The rear flame will be sent to Mizutani (Brompton authorized importer in Japan) and they will scrutinize.

A return is not yet scheduled. Brompton, come back!

Updated on Sep. 3, 2015:

My Brompton has come back! But it cost US$280 (34,000 JPY) !

Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route and Onsen

After an adventure to Yumata Onsen, one of the hardest hot springs to reach, I moved on to Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. Of course, I was with Brompton.

If you want to go to Tateyama-Kurobe area, I recommend you to start from Shinano-oomachi Station. You can get this station by Azusa Express Train from Sinjuku Station. It takes about 3 and half hours.

example: Azusa #3 departing Shinjuku at 7:30am and arriving at 11:01am.

Then, you use bus or taxi to Oogisawa Station where a trolly bus starts to get through very long tunnel to another side of the moutain range.

Oogisawa Station. Change to a torolly bus.

About 30 minutes to get to Kurobe Dam Station.

You need to walk to another side of this dam. There is a cable car station to climb another mountain.

It takes 10 minutes to get to next rope way station.

You can enjoy wonderful scenary from the ropeway.

You need another trolly bus to ride.

Getting through another mountain!

Finally arrived Murodo Station. You will be surprised with this wonderful view.

Arriving today's lodge, Mikurigaike Onsen.

Mount Tateyama is shining in red!

Enjoy the highest hot spring in Japan at an elevation of 2405 meters.

Adventure for your own wild hot spring

Brompton and I went to Yumata Onsen, definitely the most secluded hot springs located deep in the Takase Valley.

I arrived in Shinano Omachi Station early in the morning.

The ride started from Takase Dam.

 There are three tunnels which were originally built for the construction of the dam.

When I looked back, there was wonderful scenery of the mountain range.

Trail started from here but I continued a ride.

What a beautiful color it is!

Finally reached Yumata Onsen Lodge.

Leaving my Brompton at Yumata Onsen Lodge, I went further toward the end of the valley to experience an extremely secluded mountain hot spring.

Here it is! Hot water gushing out here and there. You can make your own hot spring bath tub with rocks and stones!

Here we go!

After the wild experience of my own open air bath, I came back to Yumata Onsen Lodge and bathed again.

It was a wonderful experience of nicest hot spring surrounded by mountains!