Hi, nice to have a subreddit, seems this is where i can ask if things in my head make sense to the experienced.
I’m going to Yakushima by the end of March, it’s a week’s round trip from Kagoshima and then this is a round trip to Fukuoka from Korea and this is a round trip from Germany where I live. It’s the most complicated itinerary I have had and I don’t know am I more occupied in training my mind to deal with these bookings, instead of training physically to prepare myself for the Miyanoura trek.
With the purpose of having the maximum experience in the nature while being safe, a few questions to a week’s Yakushima visit :
1.
How hard/risky is Miyanoura dake trek(2 days traverse, 32km total)? Yes, i will see and test, but, am I better prepared with a gpsmap on a garmin gps device? I still don’t know if should buy a japan map, for the supposed advantage of a better reception and battery. When it gets serious, is i could imagine, you are stuck in a gorge(and i guess the geography features more of these compared to.. the Alps) and a gps device has a better reception than your iPhone. I have been to 4000er summits in the Alps, but I got physically weaker and this is a completely different kind of mountain as it seems, plus, a demanding one compared to its height.
\- Should one hire a guide like most of the japanese people? I really prefer to be alone though..
\- Do you consider a gpsmap really necessary?
3.
Is it allowed to snorkel anywhere at sea or is there a spot where it is possible? Water temperature should be approximately 22 C. I have been taking extended cold shower in the morning through this winter, the tab water temp should be around 15 C, but.. how cold is 22 C for like 20 mins in the sea? I have no experience with open water swimming.
\- So, would you really recommend to hire a guide for snorkeling? Do they even do this at the end of March?
2.
I’m going to make 6 days instead of 7 in Yakushima, because Mt.Sakurajima, Mt.Karakuni and Onami lake look so good, these are in Kyushu mainland, near Kagoshima.
\- If some of you have been there, how good is it actually, is it worth spending one day less for Yakushima?
Thanks so much !
by hajiresurrection