春雪緩む大雪渓。踏み抜きと落石に注意

Current conditions at Hakuba-dake summit are mostly clear, with a temperature of 0.4°C and a felt temperature of -3.1°C. Winds are calm at 0.5m/s, and visibility is excellent, extending beyond 20km. There is a significant 8.2°C temperature difference from the base, emphasizing the need for robust cold-weather gear at the summit.

The forecast for today indicates mostly clear to partly cloudy skies, with temperatures gradually rising to 4.8°C by noon. While the snow will be firm in the morning, solar radiation will rapidly soften it as the day progresses. This softening increases the risk of rockfall, particularly in the Great Snow Valley (Daisetsukei), one of Japan's three largest snow valleys. Extreme caution is also needed for potential post-holing on the snowfield. With a snow depth of 166cm, the terrain remains extensively covered by snow. Light crampons are essential, especially for ascending the Daisetsukei, even in what might feel like summer conditions. Consider an early start and descent to mitigate risks associated with afternoon warming and softening snow.

There are no indications of thunderstorms, and the risk of strong winds is low. Gusts are expected to reach a maximum of around 7.6m/s, which should not impede movement significantly. While the risk of hypothermia is low during active daytime hours, vigilance is required during breaks or if activities extend into colder periods.

Clear skies will persist into the evening, but temperatures will drop to around -2°C overnight and into the early morning. If your activity extends into these nighttime hours, ensure even more stringent cold-weather protection. With appropriate gear and planning, today is suitable for mountain activity.