GUNUNG · Jepang

Mount Kaikoma

甲斐駒ヶ岳 (Kaikoma-ga-take)

Information

Elevation: 2.967 m
Country: Jepang (JP)
Location / Range: Pegunungan Akaishi (赤石山脈) / Alpen Selatan Jepang — perbatasan Yamanashi (Hokuto) dan Nagano (Ina)
Mountain type: Gunung non-vulkanik — puncak granit (batolit) di Pegunungan Akaishi / Alpen Selatan Jepang
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 35.7578, 138.2367
Difficulty: Sedang–berat. Jalur klasik Kurotoo (黒戸尾根) sangat panjang dan terjal (salah satu 'Tiga Tanjakan Terhebat Jepang'); jalur Kitazawa Pass jauh lebih ringan dan bisa harian
Best Season: Juli–Oktober (pondok buka, jalur bebas salju); puncak musim panas Agustus. Musim dingin adalah pendakian alpin serius
Permits & Rules: Tidak perlu izin khusus. Akses jalur Kitazawa Pass hanya lewat bus dari Hirogawara (Yamanashi) atau Sengokubara (Nagano) — kendaraan pribadi dilarang masuk. Reservasi pondok dianjurkan di musim puncak
Hazards: Jalur Kurotoo menuntut fisik tinggi dan punya beberapa bagian rantai serta tangga di zona atas; perubahan cuaca cepat khas Alpen Selatan; medan granit lepas dan eksposur di dekat puncak; hipotermia di luar musim panas

Description

Mount Kaikoma (甲斐駒ヶ岳, Kaikoma-ga-take, 2,967 m) is the prominent peak at the northern end of the Akaishi Mountains (Japanese Southern Alps), straddling the border of Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures. It is the highest of Japan's several 'Komagatake' mountains and is usually prefixed 'Kai' (the old name of Yamanashi Province) to tell it apart. Its signature is a body of pale granite that leaves the summit looking snow-dusted even in high summer, a sharp contrast with the green slopes below. Kaikoma is one of the '100 Famous Mountains of Japan' (Hyakumeizan) compiled by Kyuya Fukada and also a sacred peak: the Kurotoo ridge trail was pioneered by pilgrims in the early 19th century and is still lined with small shrines, stone swords and statues. There are two very different ways up. The classic, demanding option is the Kurotoo Ridge (黒戸尾根) from the Ojiragawa valley — about 2,200 m of ascent counted among Japan's 'Three Great Steep Climbs' (日本三大急登), usually broken with a night at Shichijo Hut. The much gentler option starts from Kitazawa Pass (北沢峠, ~2,030 m), reached by bus, allowing a day hike via Komatsu-mine. From its narrow summit the panorama reaches Kita-dake, Senjo-ga-take and, on clear days, distant Mount Fuji.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Dari Kitazawa Pass (北沢峠) via Komatsu-mine

Sedang; jalur lebih pendek dengan scrambling batu granit di dekat puncak (jalur langsung Chokuto lebih curam, ada opsi memutar yang lebih landai)

1 hari (naik–turun ~7–9 jam dari Kitazawa Pass)

The gentlest and most popular option for a day hike. Kitazawa Pass (北沢峠, ~2,030 m) is reached by bus from Hirogawara (Yamanashi side) or Sengokubara (Nagano side), as private vehicles are banned. From the pass the trail climbs to Komatsu-mine (駒津峰) and on to the summit over granite terrain; there is a choice between a steeper direct line (chokutō) and a gentler detour among the boulders. Many hikers combine it with the neighbouring peak Senjo-ga-take on a two-day trip from the huts near the pass.

Source

Kurotoo Ridge (黒戸尾根) dari lembah Ojiragawa

Berat; salah satu 'Tiga Tanjakan Terhebat Jepang' (~2.200 m pendakian), dengan tangga besi dan rantai di zona atas — menuntut fisik tinggi dan kepala tenang di eksposur

2 hari (Hari 1: pintu masuk Ojiragawa → Pondok Shichijo ~6–8 jam; Hari 2: puncak → turun)

The classic, historic route up Mount Kaikoma, pioneered by pilgrims in the early 19th century and still lined with small shrines, stone swords and statues. From the trailhead in the Ojiragawa valley (~770 m), the trail climbs a very long way through conifer forest, passing several iron-ladder and chain sections, to Shichijo Hut (七丈小屋, ~2,370 m) as the overnight point. The summit push the next morning follows a rocky granite ridge with open views across the Southern Alps. Because of its huge total ascent, this route is counted among Japan's 'Three Great Steep Climbs' and is best left to fit, experienced hikers.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Climbing Mount Kaikoma (甲斐駒ヶ岳, 2,967 m) offers two very different experiences. Via the Kurotoo Ridge (黒戸尾根), hikers tackle one of Japan's 'Three Great Steep Climbs' — a long, draining ascent through forest, iron ladders and chains, usually with a night at Shichijo Hut, rewarded by the pale granite summit. Via the bus-served Kitazawa Pass, the climb is much gentler and day-hikeable, crossing Komatsu-mine before rocky scrambling near the top. The clips below show both characters — from family vlogs to a winter ice climb in the Ōrendani valley — as a real picture of what the granite peak of the Southern Alps is like.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.