2015-05-02 槍穂 1/4 上高地-横尾尾根

Day 1:

Traffic jams in Nagano caused the trip to Kamikochi to last 1 hour more. After about 3 hours' sleep we rode a taxi (the trunk wouldn't close and the driver fastened some bands so that nothing fell) as the access to Kamikochi is restricted to buses and taxis.

5:40 AM, among hundreds of bustling mountaineers readying themselves we started from the bus terminal, shouldering a 30-kg backpack .  We reached Yokoo some 12 km further, at around 8:00 AM, no clouds to be seen. The path was free of snow 99% of  way and even dry. About 1.5 to 2 km more on busy trails and we reached the bottom of the 3rd gully, our access way to Yokoo ridge.

Gradually increasing in slope the gully was streaked with a vein of fallen rocks remainder of the force of nature and how small we stand in front of the mountain. I put on crampons and relied on my ice axe from the start. High temperatures caused the snow to be soft and flat footing was borderline on the last third, a switch to the more secure yet more tiring front pointing technique.

After the gully a steep and bushy ridge followed for a change of setting. Yari sharp and free of snow emerged through branches in the background.

We passed the steep section and most of the trail went through low bushes while sections  of rotten snow sometimes wouldn't support my weight.

The landscape opened progressively in all directions and at 3 PM we got to a flat snowy patch ideal to make camp.
We stayed outside until it was dinner time. I expected a purple-colored sky for sunset but clouds accumulated around the chain to the West and the sky remained mainly grayish until the sun completely disappeared.

The clouds dissipated under the moonlight, the moon almost full, offering enough light for night shots.

Overall a great day.

More pictures here: https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B8dPS_LBwxeLfkpzZ2N4UU56eWlka1R4VHhXcFFDWFhUaXdWYlgwY1pOS09wZGtCc3VWRjg/edit