↘ Izari-dake — East Ridge

The East Ridge climbs Izari-dake — the 1318 m high point of the northwest Lake Shikotsu caldera rim, just west of Eniwa-dake — as an out-and-back up the ridge from a forestry road on the east side. Hokkaido Wilds gives ~11 km, ~790 m, a difficulty of 7/10, and a round trip of four hours or less, making it a half-day tour within reach of Sapporo. Yet the bake reads the aspect as northeast (NE), with a line median of ~30° — among the steepest in this roster — a maximum of ~46°, and an ATES rating of 'complex' with a release area near 26%. For its modest vertical, the pitch and the density of avalanche terrain run high. Read this as a description, not a recommendation.

[Terrain] From the forestry-road start on the east side (parking near 42.818°N, 141.283°E), skin roughly 2 km up the road, then gain the ridge and climb through trees to the summit. The source describes a steep pitch below the summit that is 'good kick-turn practice,' and the bake likewise shows high-30s to 46° up top. The northeast-facing ridge and slopes sit on the lee of the northwest monsoon — an aspect that loads with wind slab.

[The main hazard is wind-loaded complex terrain] ATES complex with a ~26% release fraction is a high density of avalanche terrain for a mountain of this size. The half-day, low-vertical framing invites complacency, but a 30°-median northeast slope is a classic lee-loaded aspect — watch for slab development. The open forest and ridge on the caldera rim make navigation hard in a whiteout, and no dedicated avalanche bulletin covers the Shikotsu area. Check the Japan Avalanche Network before departing and make your own stability assessment. Izari-dake is not an active volcano, so no volcano bulletin applies.

Start & parking: The forestry-road start on the east side (parking near 42.818°N, 141.283°E). Plowing and space depend on conditions.

Getting there: A car is the practical option, from Sapporo toward Lake Shikotsu. Expect snow and ice in winter — 4WD with winter tyres.

The day: ~11 km, ~790 m, a round trip of four hours or less — a half-day. The first ~2 km follows the forestry road; then gain the ridge to the summit and descend the ascent line.

Gear: Ski crampons help on the steep pitch below the summit. Carry full avalanche gear and reliable navigation for the wind-loaded northeast slopes.

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