Mount Chō (蝶ヶ岳, Chougatake) at 2,677 m (8,783 ft) is a mountain located in Japan. Mount Chō is part of the
Hida Mountains (Northern Alps) in
Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, and is located in the cities of
Azumino and
Matsumoto in
Nagano Prefecture. It is located to the south of
Mount Jōnen on the ridgeline of the Jōnen Mountain Range. Mount Chō is a popular destination for hikers because it offers views of other famous Japanese mountains, including
Mount Yari and
Mount Hotakadake along the Panorama Ginza.[2][3]
The summit of Mount Chō has a gentle slope, and near the summit, several small ponds are found, including Chougaike (蝶ヶ池) at 2,655 m (8,711 ft) and Youseinoike (妖精ノ池) at 2,605 m (8,547 ft). Viewed from Mount Chōyari, the double-ridgeline of Mount Chō can be seen. Much snow accumulates here, affecting the distribution of alpine plants. Near the summit is a zone of
creeping pines, and it is a habitat for
rock ptarmigan.
Climbing
History
In 1826 (
Bunsei 9), the
Jōdo-shū Buddhist monk, Banryū (播隆), is said to have made the first recorded ascent. Banryū is known as the "unknown first alpinist".[4]
In 1932 (
Showa 7), the Japanese mountaineer and photographer, Kanmuri Matsujiro, photographed Yarigatake viewed from the summit of Chogatake for his
Kurobe Gorge photography series.[5]
In 1958, the Chougatake Hut was opened by Nakamura Yoshichika.[6]
In 1969, the Mitsumata Trail, built by Nakamura Yoshichika and others, was opened.[7]
Climbing Routes
There are several climbing routes, including direct ascents from the east and west, as well as ridgeline routes from the north and south. In addition, there is lodge, Chougatake Hyutte (Chougatake Hut), just below the summit with a small tent site.[8]
The route from Mitsumata Trailhead (三股登山口 Mitsumata tozan guchi), 1,350 m (4,430 ft) is one of the most popular routes, and takes approximately 5 hours, and climbs 1300m over 6.5 km.[9] The start of this route also branches to Mount Jōnen. Mitsumata Trailhead is accessed by taxi, approximately 30 minutes, from
Hotaka Station on the
Ōito Line in Azumino.[10]
Another popular route starts in the remote mountainous highland valley of
Kamikōchi. From the Kamikōchi Bus Terminal, it is an approximate 2-hour leisurely flat walk beside the
Azusa River to the Tokusawa (徳沢) area, 1,562 m (5,125 ft). From there, the trail rises steeply along the Nagakabe Ridge to 2,565 m (8,415 ft), and then to the summit of Mount Chō. In all, this trail takes approximately 6–7 hours from the Kamikōchi Bus Terminal .[11] Additionally, it is possible to continue beside the Azusa River for another hour to Yokoo (横尾), 1,629 m (5,344 ft), and climb from there for approximately 4 hours. Yokoo is also the junction for hiking routes to Mount Yari and
Karasawa Cirque.[12]
A third route is an up-down 4-km ridgeline traverse to or from the summit of Mount Jōnen. This route takes 4–6 hours, depending on speed and skill, and passes over Mount Choyari, 2,655 m (8,711 ft). A popular extended hike starts at the Mitsumata Trailhead, climbs Mount Chō, traverses to Mount Jōnen, and then descends Mount Maejōnen, 2,662 m (8,734 ft), to finish at the Mitsumata Trailhead. This route takes over 15 hours.[9]
Mount Chō (蝶ヶ岳, Chougatake) at 2,677 m (8,783 ft) is a mountain located in Japan. Mount Chō is part of the
Hida Mountains (Northern Alps) in
Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, and is located in the cities of
Azumino and
Matsumoto in
Nagano Prefecture. It is located to the south of
Mount Jōnen on the ridgeline of the Jōnen Mountain Range. Mount Chō is a popular destination for hikers because it offers views of other famous Japanese mountains, including
Mount Yari and
Mount Hotakadake along the Panorama Ginza.[2][3]
The summit of Mount Chō has a gentle slope, and near the summit, several small ponds are found, including Chougaike (蝶ヶ池) at 2,655 m (8,711 ft) and Youseinoike (妖精ノ池) at 2,605 m (8,547 ft). Viewed from Mount Chōyari, the double-ridgeline of Mount Chō can be seen. Much snow accumulates here, affecting the distribution of alpine plants. Near the summit is a zone of
creeping pines, and it is a habitat for
rock ptarmigan.
Climbing
History
In 1826 (
Bunsei 9), the
Jōdo-shū Buddhist monk, Banryū (播隆), is said to have made the first recorded ascent. Banryū is known as the "unknown first alpinist".[4]
In 1932 (
Showa 7), the Japanese mountaineer and photographer, Kanmuri Matsujiro, photographed Yarigatake viewed from the summit of Chogatake for his
Kurobe Gorge photography series.[5]
In 1958, the Chougatake Hut was opened by Nakamura Yoshichika.[6]
In 1969, the Mitsumata Trail, built by Nakamura Yoshichika and others, was opened.[7]
Climbing Routes
There are several climbing routes, including direct ascents from the east and west, as well as ridgeline routes from the north and south. In addition, there is lodge, Chougatake Hyutte (Chougatake Hut), just below the summit with a small tent site.[8]
The route from Mitsumata Trailhead (三股登山口 Mitsumata tozan guchi), 1,350 m (4,430 ft) is one of the most popular routes, and takes approximately 5 hours, and climbs 1300m over 6.5 km.[9] The start of this route also branches to Mount Jōnen. Mitsumata Trailhead is accessed by taxi, approximately 30 minutes, from
Hotaka Station on the
Ōito Line in Azumino.[10]
Another popular route starts in the remote mountainous highland valley of
Kamikōchi. From the Kamikōchi Bus Terminal, it is an approximate 2-hour leisurely flat walk beside the
Azusa River to the Tokusawa (徳沢) area, 1,562 m (5,125 ft). From there, the trail rises steeply along the Nagakabe Ridge to 2,565 m (8,415 ft), and then to the summit of Mount Chō. In all, this trail takes approximately 6–7 hours from the Kamikōchi Bus Terminal .[11] Additionally, it is possible to continue beside the Azusa River for another hour to Yokoo (横尾), 1,629 m (5,344 ft), and climb from there for approximately 4 hours. Yokoo is also the junction for hiking routes to Mount Yari and
Karasawa Cirque.[12]
A third route is an up-down 4-km ridgeline traverse to or from the summit of Mount Jōnen. This route takes 4–6 hours, depending on speed and skill, and passes over Mount Choyari, 2,655 m (8,711 ft). A popular extended hike starts at the Mitsumata Trailhead, climbs Mount Chō, traverses to Mount Jōnen, and then descends Mount Maejōnen, 2,662 m (8,734 ft), to finish at the Mitsumata Trailhead. This route takes over 15 hours.[9]