54,343 views
On the 19th, snow removal for mountain huts began in Karasawa, Nagano Prefecture, a base for popular climbing courses in the Northern Alps, including the Hotaka mountain range. Karasawa, which had been quiet during the winter, was bustling again with the voices of those preparing to open the huts. On this day, which was blessed with good weather, 23 people including Takashi Yamaguchi (59), manager of Karasawa Hut, entered the mountain by helicopter. Due to the warm winter, the amount of snowfall was less than usual, but an avalanche in April completely buried the roof of the two-story hut in snow, and avalanches about 5 meters high flooded the surrounding tent sites. "I've never seen anything like this before," said Yamaguchi, surprised by the unusual spring after the warm winter. The snow will remain until the end of the rainy season, but by Golden Week, colorful tent flowers will bloom in Karasawa Cirque, and the full-fledged climbing season will begin. (Photo: Masazumi Onishi, Press Bureau)