Challenging journey to Mt. Iide (2105 m) during 2023 Bon holiday

For our second peak during the Bon holiday mountain expedition, we made an overnight ascent of Mount Iide. Located at the boundary of Fukushima, Yamagata, and Niigata prefectures, the vast Iide mountain range is home to Mount Iide, featuring a first-order triangulation point and serving as the master of the Iide mountain range. At its summit, you'll find the Iidesan Shrine, a base for mountain worship, just 15 minutes walk away.

We knew that the ascent from the Kawa-iri Misawaguchi would require climbing an elevation difference of over 2,000 meters, making it a challenge for experienced hikers. Carrying camping gear in the scorching heat made for a tough endeavor, even more demanding than our previous climb to Mount Shiomidake.

After descending Mount Bandai the day before, we moved to the Misawa Campground and spent the night in our cars at the parking lot. The area was teeming with insects, and we hesitated to set up our tents in the campground. Instead, we opted for a more comfortable approach, opening the car's hatchback and using a large mosquito net to sleep. It turned out to be quite comfortable and provided a good night's sleep. This method also allowed for a hassle-free departure in the early morning, making it a viable option for pre-summit overnight stays during the summer season.

From the Misawa Campground to the trailhead, the path was comfortable and looked like this, with many tall cedar trees. We enjoyed a forest bath while making our way.

Is this Elliottia paniculata? It looked beautiful, as if fairies were flying around it.

From here, we entered rocky terrain. The length of the chain section was longer than I had imagined. I had pictured Mt. Iide as a round mountain, so I was surprised and had to climb it with extra caution. I was concerned about the possibility of rain during the descent, and my fears came true the next day when we descended through this rocky section. It started raining right when we were passing through this area. The slippery rocks made me very nervous as I descended.

I met a woman who mentioned that she had slipped but managed to stop herself and continue climbing. I was relieved that she didn’t suffer any major injuries and wished her to be careful. However, there was a notice at the Mikuni Hut warning about a fatal fall incident, so I urge everyone planning to climb this mountain to be extremely cautious, especially in rainy weather.”

After getting past the chain section and approaching the Kiriai Hut, I was greeted by blooming bellflowers. The trail began to level out, providing some relief as I made my way to the hut.

Today's lodging was the Kiriai Hut's tent area. The designated tent sites near the hut were quite crowded, so I decided to set up a bit further away in an open area. While it was spacious, there were many sloped spots, so in the end, most people gathered at the edges to set up their tents. There's a water source in front of the hut, and the restrooms are clean and comfortable. The main mountain's tent area is farther away from the hut and water source, so the Kiriai Hut's tent area might be a better choice.

When I arrived, I could see Mount Iide and Mount Dainichi-dake, but as I finished my meal and leisurely enjoyed the view, they quickly disappeared under a blanket of fog. Mountain weather changes moment by moment, indeed.

The next day, I set off at 2:30 AM to reach the summit and witness the sunrise. The headlamp attracted an astonishing number of insects buzzing around, and I had to continuously swat them away as I walked. Bugs can be quite intimidating!

At the summit, I waited for the sunrise, but unfortunately, it was obscured by thin clouds, and I couldn't witness a clear sunrise. However, I enjoyed the panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. It was a profound experience to realize how far into the mountains I had come, and I gazed at the mountains with deep emotion.
　When we reached the summit, it was pitch dark, and we couldn't see the trail. However, on our descent, we came across two large, fresh bear scats along the trail. It made us wonder if the bear was nearby when we were heading to the summit. We were thankful we didn't encounter it in the darkness, and we continued to ring our bear bells as we walked.

We returned to the tent area at Kiriai Hut, packed up our gear, and began the trek back down the mountain, heading towards the Mikuni Hut. When we arrived at the Mikuni Hut, a cheerful man asked us, 'Did you make it to the summit?' I replied that we had left the Kiriai tent area at 2:30 in the morning to catch the sunrise. He laughed and said, 'You guys are crazy,' in a friendly Kansai dialect.

Our descent was marked by periods of rain and the fatigue that comes with a long hike. However, as we reached the Misawa-guchi trailhead and parking area, about 20 minutes from our destination, we found solace and warmth at 'Iidenoyu,' a hot spring facility. It was a wonderful way to unwind and relax, reflecting on the achievement of climbing a mountain that had been off-limits to women until the early Taisho era. We felt grateful to have had the opportunity to climb and pay our respects to Mt. Iide, a sacred mountain in the world of Shugendo."

On the final day of our trip, we ascended Mt. Adatara, completing an enriching Bon vacation with three mountain climbs, all of which are included among Japan's Hyakumeizan (Hundred Famous Mountains in Japan by Fukada Kyuya). While mountains in the Tohoku region may be quite distant from Kansai, the idea of visiting them during the vibrant autumn foliage season someday has crossed my mind.