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angus
Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:34 pm

Re: Hiking in Tohoku / oł randonner dans le Tohoku ?
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Hi Tinou

I have several recommendations, all more or less off the beaten track:

Although the summit crater of Zao is busy with tour buses, there are lots and lots of routes round and about the mountain. My favorite hike is a loop starting from below Sumikawa ski place (~1000m), descending a valley, then coming up the north flank of Zao. You can then descend again, by the road skyline side. There are also several huts on the mountain, all of which are free to use and empty outside of weekends.

On the other side of the Yamachizu hiking map for Zao, there is a route to Funagatayama. In autumn, the beech trees were just a beautiful colour, and there is also the most fantastic mountain hut right on the summit (also free to stay), with views to Zao, Sendai, Gassan, even Chokai-san. This is probably my favorite mountain in the whole area, not because it is spectacular, more because it is out of the way and almost wilderness. They get lots of snow in winter, when it is even more fun (6ft of powder, once!)

Finally, Iide-san in Yamagata is also fantastic, and probably the most truly mountainous of the three. In one valley, snow lingers well into Autumn. In August/September, huge serac-like things remain.

Oh yes, also Chokai-san - a rugged, classic volcano cone near Sakata (free camp site in the town). 

Hope that helps