Japan Southern Alps traverse: Koumori, Shiomi, Warusawa, Akaishi, Hijiri, Kamikochi, Chausu

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• GPS: 42:02
• µ÷Î¥: 82.7km
• ÅФê: 7,444m
• ²¼¤ê: 7,722m

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• »³¹Ô: 14:00
• µÙ·Æ: 1:08
• ¹ç·×: 15:08

µ÷Î¥ 30.5km ÅФê 2,768m ²¼¤ê 1,319m

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• »³¹Ô: 10:01
• µÙ·Æ: 1:56
• ¹ç·×: 11:57

µ÷Î¥ 17.4km ÅФê 1,843m ²¼¤ê 1,890m

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• »³¹Ô: 9:22
• µÙ·Æ: 1:12
• ¹ç·×: 10:34

µ÷Î¥ 15.6km ÅФê 1,722m ²¼¤ê 2,070m

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• »³¹Ô: 8:14
• µÙ·Æ: 1:33
• ¹ç·×: 9:47

µ÷Î¥ 19.2km ÅФê 1,185m ²¼¤ê 2,545m

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*Disclaimer: this is based on my own personal experience and I cannot be held responsible for your actions based on the information I have provided. In my humble opinion, proper preparation and training are key to having a safe and enjoyable experience.*

Overall, the course is "easier" than the 100km Omine Okugake Do/Michi trail I did in May because of numerous lodges and water points to replenish on this course and also the less technical nature with less "high pitch" up-and-downs as seen in the Omine Okugae trail.

That said, this course based on this timeline of 4 days is demanding and summits at least two major peaks a day in the morning and afternoon (usually hikers climb one major peak per day in the Southern Alps, in the morning, which is the "sensible" thing to do). This leads to the risk of rain, thunder and/or fog in the afternoon, and of course fatigue. One should therefore be prepared for such circumstances and be fit enough to "push" forward. Another issue with this schedule is that it lacks "escaping" in the afternoon. Therefore if you tire out in the afternoon during the ascent, your choice is to go back to the last lodge or bivouac.

FYI, my climbing pace is usually 0.5 to 0.6 but slows down to 0.8 on the downhills (I am terrible at descending having experienced nasty falls in the past) and I usually light jog the flat parts of the trail as I enjoy trail running.

For this course, my gear was probably at 7 kgs with tent, sleeping bag and air mattress, food and other supplies. Include 3 liters of water ( I drink a lot as I sweat a lot) and additional food / snacks bought on the way and I was probably carrying 11kgs.

The more sensible timeline would be to cover this course over five to six days.

**For reference, in case you are considering this course at this pace, my marathon pace is 3 hours 30 minutes and I have completed several 50 mile ultras with significant elevation***

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Trail signs are basically all in Japanese so you should familiarize yourself with the Japanese writings. I would not rely on Google translator as phone reception is non-existent for most part of the trail.

The first part of the climb from Nigengoya to Koumori Dake ("Bat summit") is poorly marked and requires route finding. Doing this at night, which I did, is even more challenging. The traverse to Koumori Dake and Shiomi is also poorly marked, as it is rocks and you cannot mark it with tape, and would be a challenge in fog / poor weather and must require a GPS mapping or map and compass. The risk of getting lost in this area is serous and will be challenging for search and rescue efforts.

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iPhone SE (1st generation) Apple

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Epi-pen in case of bites from the deadly bees active during the summer (zuzume bachi)<br />Black Diamond Distance Tent<br />Nanga sleeping bag<br />Escape Bivy<br />Garmin inReach Mini 2<br />Freeze dried rice and lots of Kaki No Tane a type of Japanese rice cracker that you can eat on the go and is a "staple food" for Japanese trail runners in the Alps ¡Ö³Á¤Î¼ï¡Ê¤«¤­¤Î¤¿¤Í¡Ë

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I forgot insect repellent, a must during this time and should have brought more sunscreen.

A technical T-shirt, short spats and compression socks were good enough in terms of clothing for the duration but be prepared to be bitten by lots of insects on your legs.