(The parking lot at the trailhead was experiencing a veritable plague of locusts.)
S'up?
Mrs. Caveman and I went on a road trip around northern Tohoku ("northeastern area") and I got the chance to climb the highest mountain in Iwate Prefecture. Coincidentally, the mountain is named Iwate.
It was a great trip. I banged out 19 peaks, including 6 of the 100 Famous Mountains on this trip. I want to blog about those Tohoku hikes before going on my next trip tomorrow so this post may be less detailed than most.
. . . about Mt. Iwate (岩手山)
This very active volcano is on the list of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains as well as Tohoku's 100 Famous Mountains.
The characters in the name--岩 and 手--mean boulder and hand respectively. The legend behind the name is interesting.
Whichever route you choose, the lateral distance isn't very long, but the ascent is about 1,500 meters (almost a mile), so it's a taxing hike.
Location:
Map: ***If you want a link to the latest Yama to Kogen map, comment and I'll get you a link. This link is to a printable topo map of this area.
Starting and stopping point:
Bear Information
Peaks bagged: Iwate (岩手)
(First-time) peaks # 1130
100 Famous Mountain # 62
Getting there/getting around:
I drove.
There is no public transportation to this trailhead. You could take a taxi from Shizukuishi Station if you like.
Whichever trailhead you choose, it appears that you more likely than not will take a taxi in the end. Morioka Station is one station you'll probably pass through on the way.
Helpful Info
Weather Information:
Time and distance
YAMAP's Estimate Time: 8:49 Distance: 12
The Caveman did it in: Total Time: 5:54 Break time: :41 Distance: 12.1 km
Elevation: Lowest: 608 m Highest: 2,038 m Total Ascent: 1,525 m Total Descent: 1,525 m
Technical considerations/difficulty:
Steep
Facilities:
Emergency hut near the top
Thoughts/observations/recommendations:
Let's look at some pictures.
Looking up from the parking lot. Iwate is behind that ridge.
I had climbed Mt. Chokai in Yamagata a few days before this.
The yellow line shows the distance from Iwate to Chokai.
I hiked all of the places noted on the map during this trip.
Getting within sight!
Fudodaira Emergency Hut (不動平避難小屋)
This is posted inside this emergency hut, but this price list is actually for another hut, the Eight Station Emergency Hut (８合目避難小屋), which is about 500 meters to the east.
The rim is very cool.
This part of the mountain is very reminiscent of Mt. Fuji.
Actually, in distance and ascent, this hike is almost as strenuous as Mt. Fuji.
I climbed Hachimantai 4 days before this hike and would climb Mt. Iwaki the next day.
Dropped by a really nice onsen on the way home. I wish I could have taken pictures inside.
That's all for this one.
Stay tuned for more.
(Along with all the regular stuff such as maps, headlamps, boots, feet, and brains, . . .) don't forget:
. . . a ready-to-go set for the onsen. I keep a change of clothes and towels in my car at all times.
Before I say goodbye . . .
Have you subscribed?
Have you shared the Caveman's info with your friends?
Have you commented? (No, you haven't. Be honest.)
Leave a comment, will ya?
Have you been to my instagram Caveman1085 or youtube Caveman on Youtube channel?
Have you kicked in some sheckels? If you people duke me enough ducats, I'll climb the rest of the 100 Famous Mountains and tell you all about it. Click the Buy Me a Coffee button if you're feeling generous.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Caveman out
