Hiking Mount Iwate in October

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has experience with hiking Mount Iwate late October (29th). Do you think it is possible at all, or will there be too much of snow?
Especially interested in doing the Nanataki course.
Thanks a lot in advance for your input.
Kind regards
Christian

Hi Christian,

I've not hiked it myself, but for some reason I enjoy researching mountain hikes.

I found this blog about the climb which seems to suggest the hike is possible in October:
https://japanhike.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/mt-iwate/

But this page suggests that it closes in early October:
http://best-hike-japan.com/hiking/mt-iwate/

https://www.japanhoppers.com/en/tohoku/morioka/kanko/1568/

I hope this helps some!

Hi rkold, thank you very much for your quick and informative reply. Kind regards
Christian

Hi!

No Problem, I actually really enjoy reading about people hiking Japanese mountains because I'm not sure I could do anything but like Akita-Komagatake because of my acrophobia. I've done a little hiking in the USA and the drop-offs at some point just become too much for me. But I love reading about hiking.

It sounds like the top of Iwate-san can be very cold and if there is snow or ice the hike becomes very dangerous because the trail is quite steep, so it might make sense to pick a different mountain in October. The weather can change really fast in Tohoku. Almost exactly a decade ago I was caught in a blizzard near Towadako.

Good luck!

Hi rkold, thanks again for the advice. I think I will have to decide on a short term if the conditions are fine to make it to the top.
Kind regards
Christian