Hey all, first reddit post 🙂 I’m going to Japan for my first time this July and want to do a multi-day trek in the Northern Japan Alps. The one I’ve read the most about online is the Kamikochi-Yari-Hotaka trek. It looks amazing! But I’ve also read how strenuous and dangerous it is. I want to get more advice since I have no experience in the region.
In the past, some of the harder hikes and multi-day treks I’ve done are: Annapurna Circuit (plus Tilicho) – 16 days, max altitude 5400m
Volcan Misti, Peru: 2 days, 1 night, 5820m
Presidential Traverse, New Hampshire, US: 1 long day, no altitude, just rocky, icy, strenuous hiking for 20ish miles with some scrambles
I’m in good shape in terms of running/endurance, and I’ve done some backpacking recently, but I haven’t done any really hard hikes in a couple years. My boyfriend and I have read a little about Kamikochi-Yari-Hotaka and he feels like it might be too dangerous, especially since it seems like there’s a significant risk of falling. If anyone has any advice on whether I seem prepared for this trek, and/or options they might recommend instead let me know! Happy to provide more info as needed. Also, are there guides available for Kamikochi-Yari-Hotaka? I don’t have any buddies planning on going with me.
1 comment
You haven’t mentioned when and that’s a big thing.
If you’re going in the summer months like July/August, my suggestion is to just look up “daikiretto” to see if that knife edge is something you’re okay with. If not, I suggest you just go up to Karasawa and Oku-hotake sanso and then back down. It’s still a nice hike and while there’s no knife edge, it’s still pretty interesting and fun.