Mount Poroshiri
Mount Poroshiri (幌尻岳 Poroshiridake) (2,052 metres) is the highest peak in the Hidaka Mountains. It is located in the heart of the Hidaka Sanmyaku-Erimo Quasi-National Park in Hidaka Subprefecture close to the border with Tokachi Subprefecture.
The name of the mountain is (appropriately) Ainu for 'big mountain'.
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Hill walks
The western Furenai (Biratori) route (Hidaka Subprefecture), described in detail in the Lonely Planet Hiking in Japan guide (see sources below) is the most popular way up the mountain, though it is also possible to approach it from the east from Obihiro (Tokachi). Poroshiri is normally climbed between July and October.
Furenai (Biratori) route
Day 1 (5 km/ 3.5 hours)
Reaching the Shusui dam, the trail climbs directly west following the Nukabira River to reach the Poroshiri Sansō mountain hut and camping site (about 950 m high).
Day 2 (20 km/9 hours)
A circuitous trail trail leads south to Inochi-no-Izumi spring and then the North Cirque (Kita Kāru) to the summit of Poroshiri. Leading on north the sheer, exposed trail comes to Nanatsunuma Cirque (Nanatsunuma Kāru) with its seven lakes and the summit of Mount Tottabetsu (1,959 m). Continuing northwest the path then descends west, the lower section again along the Nukabira River to return to the Poroshiri Sansō mountain hut.
The descent to the trailhead follows the trail used on Day 1.
Access
Furenai is a village about 20 km northeast of Biratori on Route 237. (Coming in the opposite direction on the same road it is about 25 km from Hidaka Town.) The trailhead carpark, 5 km east of Shusui Dam, is about 34 km from Furenai.
Clothing and equipment
There are many river and stream crossings, so it's necessary to bring some kind of rubber or plastic boot or sandal in addition to hiking boots. Walking poles are helpful, also layered clothing for a sudden change in the weather. As always in Hokkaidō, don't drink from streams! Drinking water can be obtained from the Poroshiri Sansō mountain hut.
Contour map
1:25,000 Poroshiri-dake 8-2, Kokuto Chiriin (国土地理院) [1]
Sources
- Florence, M et al. (2001) Hiking in Japan Lonely Planet Publications, Victoria
Google map
Geographic coordinates are 42.7247° N, 142.68° W
| Coordinates | 42°43′28.92″ N, 142°40′48″ W (Latitude: 42.725° N, Longitude: 142.68° W) + find maps Google maps Mapquest |