[Southern Alps] Hayakawa Ridge - Senjio Ridge - Shirane Three Mountains | A 3-day, 2-night traverse surrounding Mt. Kita, 53km from Hirogawara to Narada

I walked along the quiet ridgeline over the course of three days.

I climbed from Hirogawara to the Hayakawa Ridge,
connected the Senjio Ridge from Mt. Senjo,
and finished by going from Mt. Aino to Mt. Notori.

Mist, strong winds, and the scenery that awaited me at the end.

The view of Mt. Mitsumine, which I finally encountered on my fourth attempt,
stole the show.

Introduction

Even within the Southern Alps,
the number of people drops sharply once you go a little deeper into the mountains.

The route I walked this time
connects the Hayakawa Ridge, the Senjio Ridge, and the Shirane Three Mountains.

It is what you might call a "grand traverse circling Mt. Kita."

In this article,

・The 3-day route structure
・Characteristics and personal impressions of each section
・Points of judgment and precautions

are summarized.

I hope this serves as a reference
for those considering a long traverse.

Hiking Overview

Mountain Names: Mt. Asayo, Mt. Kurisawa, Mt. Senjo, Mt. Daisenjo, Mt. Mitsumine, Mt. Aino, Mt. Notori (Mt. Nishi-Notori), etc.
Mountain Area: Southern Alps (Hayakawa Ridge, Senjio Ridge, Shirane Three Mountains)
Date: July 15 (Sat) - 17 (Mon), 2023
Weather: Day 1: Cloudy/Mist
Day 2: Cloudy/Mist -> Sunny in the afternoon
Day 3: Sunny

Course:
Day 1 | Hirogawara -> Hakuhou Pass -> Mt. Asayo -> Mt. Kurisawa -> Sensui Pass -> Choei Hut (Tent stay)
Day 2 | Choei Hut -> Mt. Senjo -> Mt. Daisenjo -> Senjio Ridge -> Mt. Mitsumine -> Kumonodaira Hut (Tent stay)
Day 3 | Kumonodaira Hut -> Mt. Mitsumine -> Mt. Aino -> Mt. Notori -> Daimonzawa -> Narada

Distance: 53.3km
Cumulative Elevation: Ascent 5,387m / Descent 6,077m
Activity Time: Approx. 26 hours 33 minutes (Total for 3 days)

Physical Difficulty: ★★★★★ (For those with experience in long-distance traverses)

Comparison with Standard CT: 26:33 against a standard of 34:56 (approx. 76%)

Overall Course Map

Starting from Hirogawara, heading from Hayakawa Ridge to Kitazawa Pass, going south along the Senjio Ridge to Kumonodaira, and passing through the Shirane Three Mountains to Narada.
A grand counter-clockwise traverse circling Mt. Kita.

Reason for choosing this route

I wanted to walk the complete version of the Senjio Ridge (Kitazawa Pass to Narada), which I had previously walked in 2 days and 1 night.

The Hayakawa Ridge was a route I had been curious about for many years.
After checking the Yamaten forecast repeatedly, these three days offered the best weather window among my options.

Starting from Yashajin would have been ideal, but this was the best I could do for now.
Even so, I am satisfied that I was able to walk the mountains in a way that 'connected the lines' with Mt. Kita at the center.

Course details and impressions

▶ Day 1: Hirogawara - Hayakawa Ridge - Kitazawa Pass

Gaining elevation all at once from Hirogawara to
Hakuho Pass.

This climb is quite tough, and
if you push the pace too much at the beginning, it will affect you in the second half.

Once on the ridge,
there are ups and downs between Mt. Asayo and Mt. Kurisawa.

The wind was strong and it was a situation that drained my stamina, but
the view of Mt. Kaikoma getting closer was nice.

▶ Day 2: Mt. Senjo - Senjio Ridge - Mt. Mitsumine

Heading to Mt. Senjo from early morning.

However, the upper part was covered in clouds.
I couldn't see the original view, so I headed straight to the Senjio Ridge.

This section has many forest zones,
and the time spent walking steadily continues.

And this is the core part.

The climb back up from Norogawa-goe to Mt. Mitsumine (approx. 700m)

The climb while already exhausted was quite tough, and
it was a point that also wore me down mentally.

The day ended in the clouds.

▶ Day 3: Mt. Mitsumine - Mt. Ainodake - Mt. Notori - Narada

Early in the morning, I headed back to Mt. Mitsumine.

And finally—
the view opened up.

The ridgeline that was previously hidden,
Mt. Kita, Mt. Shiomi, and the main ridgeline of the Southern Alps.

On my fourth attempt,
I was finally able to see the scenery of this mountain.

The subsequent
ridgeline from Mt. Ainodake to Mt. Notori

lives up to its name as the "highest ridgeline in Japan,"
offering a continuous, grand-scale landscape.

The final descent through Daimonzawa was long,
and it was quite exhausting in my fatigued state.

Course Conditions and Precautions

Hayakawa Ridge (Hakuho Pass - Sensui Pass)

• The climb to Hakuho Pass is steep. Physical stamina depletes quickly.

• There are rocky areas around Asayo Peak. Some sections require using your hands.

• Sensui Pass is a scree slope with unstable footing.

Sen-en Ridge (Kitazawa Pass - Mt. Mitsumine)

• The route is generally clear and easy to follow.

• There are sections on the rocky terrain directly below Mt. Mitsumine that require using your hands.

• The 700m climb from Norogawa-goe to Mt. Mitsumine is the crux of the latter half. Ensure you have enough stamina left.

Mt. Aino - Mt. Notori

• The route is clear. A well-maintained trail where you can walk with small steps

• The mountains are massive, with significant ups and downs

Daimonzawa

• The beginning is a steep descent

• There are several river crossings. Be careful when water levels are high

Campsite Information

■ Choei Hut
・No reservation required
・Fee: 1,000 yen
・Water: Flowing freely from the tap
・Docomo signal: None

■ Kumanodaira Hut
・No reservation required
・Fee: 2,000 yen
・Water source: Flowing freely
・Docomo signal: None around the hut
・Signal point available on the trail past the campsite (marked with a sign)

Access

• Narada parking lot was full by 4:00 AM. Parked in a separate space

• Narada to Hirogawara bus: First bus at 5:30 AM (departed shortly after 5:00 AM on this day)

• There is a possibility of not being able to board the bus during busy times

• Bus fare: 1,400 yen (includes 300 yen cooperation fee)

*Information as of July 2023.
Please check with each hut or bus company for the latest information.

Related Articles

I have compiled a list of traverse courses in the Southern Alps that I actually enjoyed walking.
Including this route, I introduce quiet ridges and grand traverses to be savored over two or more nights.

▶ 5 Southern Alps courses I enjoyed walking | Introducing quiet ridges and grand traverses from personal experience

Reflections

On my fourth attempt, I was finally able to see the clear view from Mt. Mitsumine.

The gale-force winds on Mt. Asayo, the fog on Mt. Senjo, and the 700m climb back up—I think the third day was only complete because of all of that.

The mountain region centered around Mt. Kita has a depth that I never tire of, no matter how many times I visit.
I hope to do the full version starting from Yashajin someday.

Conclusion

Focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka,
I walk the ridgelines every weekend.

Rather than flashy mountains,
I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and mountain trips where I have to read the conditions.

▶ Magazine "One Mountain at a Time, Hiking Records"

If you like mountains,
I would be happy if you followed me.

See you next time with a record of another mountain.