Hi everyone! My friends and I (a group of four) are planning a trip to Japan in the first week of July, and we’re excited to climb Mount Hotaka starting from Kamikochi. Specifically, the route we are planning to take is inspired by [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/ngcbmr/comment/gyqa1m6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) comment by another Redditor in this subreddit. Our rough itinerary is as outlined below.
Day 1 (Ascent): Matsumoto -> Kamikochi -> Karasawa Hutte
Day 2 (Ascent): Karasawa Hutte -> Hotakadake Sanso -> Summit Mount Hotaka
Day 3 (Descent): Hotakadake Sanso -> Kamikochi
We’re looking for some advice and insights on the following:
* Reception/SOS: How is the cell phone reception on the trail? Are there any reliable ways to call for help in case of an emergency?
* Weather/Snow: It will be the rainy season, so we are already expecting rainfall. Our main concern would be how quickly does the weather turn bad in the mountains? Is there likely to be any snow on the trail (first week of July), and if so, how much?
* Path Markings: How well-marked is the path from Kamikochi to Mount Hotaka? Are there any parts of the trail that are particularly tricky to navigate?
* Danger for First-Timers: None of us are seasoned climbers, although we are in good shape. How dangerous is the summit from the mountain hut for first-timers?
* Altitude Sickness: How common is altitude sickness on this climb? What steps should we take to prevent it if it does pose concerns?
The above questions were the ones that I faced the most difficulty in finding answers online for. Any additional tips or recommendations for our climb would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!
by Axirie