Okutama Hike Invite
Anyone out there want to go hiking for two days in December (9,10)? If so, let me know! - kevin@kevin@kevincameron.net
- When: Dec 9,10 (Saturday & Sunday)
- Where: Okutama (starting from Oume line Hatonosu Station ending at Okutama Station)
- Cost: 1,900 yen round-trip train fare from Shinjyuku
780 yen for onsen after the hike. - Difficulty Level: Strong beginner (6-9 hours of hiking per day on ocassionally steep trail)
- Meet: 8:30am Hatonosu Station (oume line)
- How many people: Six - seven would be a good upper limit (better chance that everyone can stay in the hut), but I will be thrilled to even get one.
There is a beautiful section of trail Tomoe and I hiked down last weekend which I would like to go up this time. We will stay at the beautiful Ippaisui unmanned hut, conveniently located six hours or so from the trail head. This section of the trail does not see as many hikers as trails closer to Okutama station, so I am guessing that there will be space for five or six people. Just in case, I will bring my tent which I can sleep in if there is not enough room (self-sacrifice).
What you should bring (if you don't have something but want to go, let me know. We can surely work something out.):
Water At least one liter bottle for drinking water, but two is better. And you will want some water for cooking your dinner noodles at the hut as well. There is no water source near the hut so we will have to fill up before we get there.
Snacks & Lunch Non-cook lunch is best, since the days are short and we have at least six hours hike. We probably don't want to take time to cook a hot lunch. Bring some onigiri or crackers and peanut butter.
Dinner My stove is only big enough to cook for two, so I guess everyone should bring their own meal. Of course it is always fun to share - so that is apossibility, but count on carrying and cooking your own dinner.
Sleeping bag Obviously you will want a sleeping-bag and pad. The hut is much warmer than the outside, but unless we fire up the stove (who wants to carry the wood?) it is still cold at night. Last weekend I slept with three shirts and a fleece, as well as long underwear and fleece pants. It was perfect. Tomoe, being a little more cold-blooded than I, had to wear her and my rain gear to bed.
Clothes Sorry, the nude hike was in August. This time I recommend clothing. Please bring some layers and a set of warm dry clothes you can change into once we get to the hut in case of rain. I am generally fine with two synthetic light-weight shirts (one long-sleeve) while hiking, and light-weight fleece to wear in the hut. I do, however, bring an extra long-sleeve shirt in case the day is wet. I like to sleep dry if possible. A pair of fleece pants or sweat-pants are good to stay warm at night as well.
Rain Gear 'Nuf said.
For the feet I'm not sure if crampons would be much help even if there is snow in two weeks. There are some pretty steep sections of the trail where I found myself slipping down in the mud, but other than that my low-top boots were fine (feet gota a little wet). If there is snow/ice, and crampons are safer for some sections, maybe we can work out an "I climb first and pass them down to you" deal if you don't have any.