Camping at 2,400 metres (Mt Goryu)
Hike date: September 22-23
The final two days of the long Silver Week holiday were the only ones with a decent weather forecast. Desparate for some Alpine views, I headed to Mt Goryu in the North Alps with the aim of trying out some new hiking boots and other equipment I’d purchased for an upcoming expedition. The hike begins with a ride in the ropeway at Hakuba Goryu resort, but due to the lift times it’s a very tough one-day hike or a more relaxed two-day affair. I chose the latter, although the recent price increases for mountain huts caused me to take my tent to the small campsite outside the Goryu mountain huts. At 2,400 metres it was going to be a cold night so my pack was laden with a 4-season sleeping bag and other gear to keep me warm.
The hike started in thick morning fog at the upper station of the ropeway. There were glimpses of autumn colours through the mist but no signs of the massive rock face that characterizes Mt Goryu. After a couple of hours of struggling with the heavy pack the fog lifted and the mountain range stood before me in all its magnificence. The spectacular view was enhanced by the appearance of some autumn colours. All this gave me the energy to negotiate the tricky traverses of the Tomi ridge and finally arrive at the campsite, where I soon set up my tent. The good conditions were holding so I decided to spend the afternoon climbing to the summit of Goryu, a two-hour return trip from the tent. I’d been here a couple of times before but this didn’t prevent me from becoming nervous about the steep and narrow rocky sections that demand care. You wouldn’t want to lose your footing here.
Fortunately I handled the rocks without much difficulty, and I was on the rocky summit an hour after leaving my tent. Back down again, and I was enjoying a highly priced beer from the mountain hut and preparing for the cold night. The sunset views over the sea of clouds were outstanding and well worth the overnight stay.
The next morning it was a struggle to get out of the warm sleeping bag. But after it was done, I packed up the tent and was back at the ropeway by 10 AM.
Check here for more information about Mt Goryu.
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