Shirouma Dake

Description

Shirouma Dake is the highest of three peaks known as the Hakuba Sanzan (Shirouma, Shakushi, Shirouma Yarigatake), on the Nagano/Toyama border, which are in turn part of a chain of mountains that includes three of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. There are two common routes to the summit. One is by gondola from Hakuba Village to Tsugaike Nature Park, then by foot to Hakuba Ohike, up Korenge Dake, and finally to the summit of Shirouma Dake. Another route is up a steep ravine with a permanent snow cover. The ravine is known as Daisekkei - Big Snow Ravine. Once on the mountain chain ridge it is possible to move from peak to peak. In summer there are ,many wildflowers. There is a large refuge complex at Shirouma Dake, just south of the summit, and another smaller refuge at the third peak Shirouma Yarigatake. From the summit you can look over the Sea of Japan and over to the Tateyama mountain area. On a clear day you can see as far as Fuji San.

Thanks to Peter Skov for this description.