↘ Ichankoppe-yama — South Ridge

The South Ridge climbs Ichankoppe-yama (829 m) as an out-and-back up a single ridge from the Lake Shikotsu lookout carpark on the north shore. Hokkaido Wilds gives ~8 km, ~560 m of ascent, and a difficulty of 4/10 — a short half-day with Eniwa-dake filling the view across the water. The numbers read like a beginner tour, but the bake reads the descent aspect as southeast (the source calls it south), a line median of ~30°, a maximum of ~39°, and an ATES rating of 'complex' with a release area near 18%. For its short vertical, the open-forest ridge is not as gentle as it looks. Read this as a description, not a recommendation.

[Terrain] From the north-shore lookout carpark (42.805°N, 141.326°E, ~365 m), gain the ridge and climb a southeast-facing open forest (50% open · 22% sparse · 27% dense) to the summit. The bake's slope distribution centres on 30° with a 39° maximum, threading pitches of steeper open trees. The south-to-southeast aspect takes sun, and the ridgeline can still pick up wind slab off the northwest flow.

[The main hazard is a complex-terrain forest ridge] ATES complex with a ~18% release fraction is a meaningful amount of avalanche terrain for a short tour of this grade. The modest vertical and beginner rating invite complacency, but a 30°-median forest ridge can produce slabs and point releases alike. On a south-to-southeast aspect, sun can drive wet-snow and near-surface instability through the day and season, and an open ridge is hard to navigate in a whiteout. No dedicated avalanche bulletin covers the Shikotsu area — check the Japan Avalanche Network before departing and make your own stability assessment. Ichankoppe-yama is not an active volcano, so no volcano bulletin applies.

Start & parking: The Lake Shikotsu lookout carpark on the north shore (42.805°N, 141.326°E, ~365 m). Plowing and space depend on conditions.

Getting there: A car is the practical option — ~30 km from Sapporo to the north shore of Lake Shikotsu. Expect snow and ice in winter — 4WD with winter tyres.

The day: ~8 km, ~560 m of ascent — a short half-day. Gain the ridge from the lookout and climb the southeast forest ridge to the summit, descending the ascent line.

Gear: Carry full avalanche gear and reliable navigation; on a south-to-southeast aspect, mind the timing of the sun.

Info: No dedicated avalanche bulletin covers the Shikotsu area — check the Japan Avalanche Network before departing.