入笠山湿原
雪原の中、入笠山湿原を見に行ってきました。最初の目的は、入笠山山頂まで歩いていく予定でしたが、雪原に阻まれて断念しました。途中ですれ違う登山者たちは冬山の装備とワカンを履いて雪原を歩いていました。私は、登山靴は履いていたものの雪に足を取られ前に行くことが難しく断念したのです。装備もしっかりしていないので無理は禁物です。それでも、十分に雪の中を歩き回り楽しめました。
湿原は入笠山麓の標高1,734mに位置する、面積約1.85ヘクタールの湿原です。春から秋にかけて様々な草花が咲くことから、多くの人々が訪れているそうです。しかし、今日は、一昨日からの大雪で湿原も雪に覆われてしまい観光客は見当たりませんでした。数名の登山者とすれ違っただけでした。
「入笠湿原」の名は富士見町や山小屋関係者によって、1977年（昭和52年）に名付けられました。それ以来地元では、湿原や草原の立ち入りを防止する柵の設置や湿原への木道整備など、入笠湿原や周辺の草原存続・保護に努めてきており、すずらん大群落を始めとする多くの草花を増やすことに成功すると共に、湿原植生は維持され、貴重な植物も生育しています。（ホームページより）
ゴンドラは優雅で、八ヶ岳連峰を目の前にしながら登っていきます。山頂駅からは徒歩で湿原を目指しました。何度となく立ち止まり深呼吸をして歩いていくと湿原が見えてきます。しかし、今日は、ご覧のように雪原が見えてきました。雪の中でテルモスからお茶を飲み、ゆっくり時間を過ごして帰路に着きました。今日も足が痛いでしょう、きっと。
Mt.Nyukasa marshland
I went to see the Mt. Nyukasa marshland in the snowfield. My first goal was to walk to the summit of Mt. Nyukasa, but the snowfield prevented me from doing so. The climbers I passed on the way were walking through the snowfield wearing winter mountain gear and snow shoes. I was wearing mountaineering boots, but the snow had caught my feet and made it difficult for me to go forward, so I had to give up. I was not well equipped, so I had to take it easy. Still, I had a good time walking around in the snow.
The marshland is located at 1,734 meters above sea level at the foot of Mt.Nyukasa and covers an area of about 1.85 hectares. It is visited by many people because of the variety of flowers and grasses that bloom from spring to fall. However, today, due to the heavy snowfall since the day before yesterday, the marshland was covered with snow and no tourists were to be found. I only passed a few climbers.
Nyukasa Marsh was named by Fujimi Town and mountain lodge officials in 1977. Since then, the local people have worked to preserve and protect Nyukasa Marsh and the surrounding grasslands by installing fences to prevent access to the marshlands and grasslands and by building wooden paths into the marshlands, and have succeeded in increasing the number of flowers and grasses, including a large colony of lily-of-the-valley, while maintaining the marshland vegetation and growing rare plants. (From the website)
The gondola is graceful and climbs up the mountain, with the Yatsugatake mountain range in front of me. From the summit station, I set out on foot for the marshland. After walking for several stops and deep breaths, the marshlands came into view. Today, however, as you can see, a snow field came into view. I drank tea from the thermos in the snow, spent some time relaxing, and headed home. My feet will be sore again today, I am sure.