July 11-12: Fuji WILD Lava Caves, Swim, Camp, Aokigahara Forest (富士の溶岩洞穴,青木ヶ原)

[Andy OCJ]

UPDATES:

Cave maps and details added. You can visit up to about 40 caves in a weekend if lucky

Signed Up - about 9 people see Adam's post for sign up list:
viewtopic.php?p=17577#p17577


Title & Date: July 11-12: Fuji WILD Lava Caves, Lake Swim, BBQ Camp, Aokigahara 'Sea of Trees' Forest (富士の溶岩洞穴,青木ヶ原)

富士山北西麓の溶岩洞穴
These are not tourist caves (don't waste time in them)!!!
There are more than 100 lava caves around Mount Fuji and several long ones. These are not the tourist caves! Most were formed 5000 years ago during a volcanic erruption and they are still being discovered. Quite a few of them are also ice caves.

Adam can take a group of 6 by car/van but hopefully another driver will volunteer. Own transport is needed to move between cave places. 2 days needed to visit the best caves.

Lake Sai is warm enough to swim in (now) and the caves are very cool inside. We did 2 trips in 2016 - second trip was the best for interesting wild caves.


Campsite
The best campsite by far was the one at Lake Sai - cheap, large grass area, easier access to places, swim from tents.

西湖・湖畔キャンプ場
https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E8%A ... 38.6997184



One Point!
When you finish caving, pick up some wood from the forext to take back to the campsite for fire.
Around the campsite there will not be any and only wood there will have to pay for.


Suggested/Recommended Route

Day 1

1. Grey circle area - drive access and walk short distance. Cave is 95m length. Easy start and on the way to other caves.
竜宮穴 96m.


2. Drive along road through forest - highway route 71. Park at hiking path entrance.

First do purple circle area - Fuji wind cave and Motosu caves (some you cannot get into but walk around and check).
富士風穴第1 > 本栖風穴第1m, 494.3m, 本栖風穴第2 235.7m, 本栖風穴第3 94.8m, 本栖風穴第6 119.9m, 本栖氷穴 68.1m (some you cannot get in).

Go back to the main walking path and do the blue circle area caves (a couple of good ones here).
背負子風穴 第1 230m, 背負子風穴 第2 55m > 神座風穴第1 443m,大室風穴第1 170m,


3. You have choices now ... orange circle area is nearby, perhaps best to explore them for a short time.


4. Main target though would be the turquoise circle area. If time drive to the black circle area.

Not sure if the other Fuji caves are worth it (?) in the green circle area. Do if you have left over time either day.


I think that will be more than enough for 1 day.


Day 2

Do the red circle areas on the west side of Fuji before going home in the afternoon. At least do the small shrine cave and graveyard (80m) and the long 820m impressive lava tube in farm field.
人 穴 83m, 鶉 穴(うずらあな) 820m

If time in the morning finish any cave areas you did not complete Saturday (black, turquoise areas etc).
The yellow circle area might be interesting - we did not go last time.

The saiko-fuke caves ( red box area) we visited were not special.
I think better to try and explore more of the red circle caves on the west side but limited info on them - look up on internet if time.

In order of preference; purple, blue, red, (because easy to find, interesting) turquoise, black (should be interesting), orange, grey, green, yellow, red box saiko caves area last.



Event Grade (イベント等級)
viewtopic.php?f=76&t=3451

Fitness level 1-2 easy. Walking through almost flat terrain forest.
Technical level 2 easy (beginner) to level 3 moderate, above beginner.
Most caves and hiking are beginner hiking level but for a couple of caves the entrance and crawling around would be graded Technical 3 - above beginner. They are easy. Best to take a safety rope for 1 or 2 caves. If you think difficult you can wait outside as most caves do not take a long time.



Things to Bring (持参もの)
You will need a helmet for the caves and LED headlight. Clothing could get dirty so do not use expensive outdoor clothing. Remember the caves can be cold so carry a fleece jacket and gloves.
Some cooking utensils might be needed but the campsite has a lot - update later by Adam.
You will need camping equipment, or try to share.

For those needing a helmet - you can use the Japanese (earthquake/emergency) helmets, if the chin strap locks and the helmet does not twist. They are very cheap. Alternatively a cycle helmet will do.

Sign Up Conditions, Contact Details
Reply to event message here. Remember car and van spaces could be limited. If you cancel do it as soon as possible and check the deadlines set by Adam or other drivers. Car hire might have cancellation costs.


Travel Details, Meeting Time & Place (旅行の詳細, 集合時間と場所)
To be decided by Adam and other drivers.
Sign up soon so van can be reserved.



Cost

Depends on number of people in car or van but will be cheaper than public transport.
Campsite cost usually around 1000yen. Then any shared food cost.
OCJ is funded by 500yen event attendance (up to 3 days). Collected by organizer who sends half of that to the club PayPal account for website costs.

[Adam]

I like this idea. I have been to the entrance of 富士風穴 and will organize if we can get enough members (6 members to rent a van).

Let's plan to go next Sat & Sun, July 11~12

According to Saiko campground's website, the campsites are a first-come first-serve. We can drive to the campground Saturday morning to claim our campsite, do a cave in the afternoon, and bbq at night. Maybe a second cave or hike on Sunday.

Please reply to this post to sign up.
If we are more than 6 people, we'll need a second driver.

1) Adam
2) Kelly
3) Tammy
4) Justin
5) Kushal
6) May
7) AB
8]
9)
Two more spots available!!

Cancelled: Nao, Francois, Jay

[Andy OCJ]

Campsite is pretty big - never had a problem getting space. There are another 2 nearby as backups but some road noise.

Name Fuji - fuketsu is a bit confusing. Rather than the name of one cave it was meant to cover the range of caves - many. Scan below of an incomplete list of caves for NW area.
Changed to this - Fuji WILD Lava Caves - 富士の溶岩洞窟

Uploaded maps for caves..

[KellyNi]

me in!

[Adam]

Great Kelly! You are accounted for. I'm certain more members will be joining in soon. We can start dreaming up how to celebrate Saturday night. I can be head chef of the BBQ, but I'd prefer someone else step up to the plate and really knock our socks off. I'd like to focus my energy on breakfast if possible. I have something special I'd like to try with the Dutch oven. If there is something special you would like to prepare, please let me know so I can organize what people plan to bring. The sky is the limit.

If you need a helmet, I have two extra, please let me know.

[Tamara]

Wow Count me in, I have new Helmet. I volunteer if driver needed.
I knew Kawaguchiko and would love to explore the 2 caves with OCJ.

[Andy OCJ]

It is impossible to visit them all in a weekend .Hopefully more will sign up for another car to be used.

NW Fuji Cave List

You can search for info but there is not a lot on the internet for some caves.

須走胎内 約20.00m, 犬涼み山風穴第1 91.5m, ムジナ穴 118.2m, 犬涼み山風穴第2 130m, 犬涼み山風穴第3 約50.00m, 犬涼み山風穴第4 約120.00m, 犬涼み山風穴第5 701m, 犬涼み山風穴第6 約250.00m, 犬涼み山風穴第7 93.7m, 犬涼み山風穴第8 76.3m, 犬涼み山風穴第9 49m, 犬涼み山風穴第10 85m, 犬涼み山風穴第11 35m, 犬涼み山風穴第12 未m, 三つ池穴 2202m, 姥　穴(うばあな) 123m, 鶉　穴(うずらあな) 820.1m, 新　穴m, 149.7m, 人　穴 83.3m, 間々下穴 154.6m, 軽水風穴 432.8m, 神座風穴第1 443.1m, カマボコ穴 28m, 神座風穴第2 51.3m, 眼鏡穴 154.5m, 神座風穴第4 100m, 神座風穴第5 105.3m, 神座風穴第6 42.3m, 神座ローリー風穴 61.8m, 神座風穴第7 80m, 神座風穴第8 100m, 神座風穴第9 未m, 神座東海風穴 40m, 神座風穴第10 50m, 背負子風穴第2 55.3m, 背負子風穴第3 35m, 背負子風穴第4 32.1m, 背負子風穴第5 30m, 本栖風穴第1m, 494.3m, 本栖風穴第2 235.7m, 本栖風穴第3 94.8m, 本栖風穴第4 32m, 本栖風穴第5 49m, 本栖風穴第6 119.9m, 本栖氷穴 68.1m, 富士風穴第1 582m, 富士風穴第2 57m, 富士風穴第3 52m, 富士風穴第4 118m, 富士風穴第5 143m, 富士風穴第6 60m, 富士風穴第7 130m, 青木ヶ原風穴第1 61m, 青木ヶ原風穴第2 141.5m, 富岳風穴 258.7m, 鳴沢氷穴 155.7m, 精進御穴日洞 160.6m, 精進御穴月洞 247.3m, 精進風穴第1m, 47.1m, 上人穴 46.5m, 精進風穴第2 46.4m, 精進風穴第3 53.3m, 精進風穴第4 103m, 片蓋穴 約30.00m, 行者穴 約94.00m, 和人穴第1 253.6m, 和人穴第2 44.2m, 和人穴第3 未m, 和人穴第4 101.5m, 和人穴第5 未m, 鳴沢コウモリ穴第1 69.2m, 鳴沢コウモリ穴第2 70.2m, 鳴沢コウモリ穴第3 40m, 鳴沢コウモリ穴第4 48m, 竜宮穴 95.9m, 西湖風穴第1 72.3m, 西湖風穴第2 31.7m, 西湖風穴第3 41.4m, 西湖風穴第4 114m, 西湖風穴第5 142m, 西湖風穴第6 32m, 西湖風穴第7 42.3m, 西湖コウモリ穴 386.3m, 西湖風穴第8 未m, 西湖風穴第9 68.1m, 西湖風穴第10 107.8m, 西湖風穴第11 46.7m, 西湖風穴第12 55m, 崩れ穴 約130.00m, 平次原風穴 106.9m, 弓射塚氷穴 61.7m, 小御岳氷穴第1 15+αm, 小御岳氷穴第2 90.3m, 小御岳氷穴第3

[Justink]

I’m in. Cheers

[Andy OCJ]

PEOPLE NEED TO REPLY SOON IF VANS ARE TO BE HIRED.

See how the weather developes. I would not recommend this if rain, and many club members will not sign up. If rain looks likely then better to wait a week or two as the rainy season weakens/ends. 11th and 18th usually hardly any rain or season ending.


https://tenki.jp/forecast/3/22/4920/19425/

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/


https://tenkura.n-kishou.co.jp/tk/kanko ... e=15&ba=kk

https://weather.yahoo.co.jp/weather/jp/19/4920.html

[Kushal]

Hi Adam,

I'm in. I can arrange an Indian meal for the camp if people are okay with that.

[May]

Hello, let me in!
I can drive too if needed.
Adam, may I borrow a helmet? Thank you!

[jaypiggott]

Count me in if there is space. Alternatively I may bring my 5 year old kids along in a rental car for the camping.

Best

Jay

[Abhijeet]

Count me in too.
Any helmet OK?

And Adam, will you be able to bring extra camping gear (minimal) for me? If it's too much, I will just buy it.

[Andy OCJ]

For those needing a helmet - you can use the Japanese (earthquake/emergency) helmets, IF THE CHIN STRAP LOCKS and the helmet does not twist. They are very cheap. Alternatively a cycle helmet will do.


You will need camping equipment, or try to share.

[Abhijeet]

Cool, I will bring my bike helmet.

[KellyNi]

Great Kelly! You are accounted for. I'm certain more members will be joining in soon. We can start dreaming up how to celebrate Saturday night. I can be head chef of the BBQ, but I'd prefer someone else step up to the plate and really knock our socks off. I'd like to focus my energy on breakfast if possible. I have something special I'd like to try with the Dutch oven. If there is something special you would like to prepare, please let me know so I can organize what people plan to bring. The sky is the limit.

If you need a helmet, I have two extra, please let me know.

Will bring earthquake helmet, thanks!

[Abhijeet]

Adam, sorry for the confusion. I can bring my bike helmet as suggested by Andy. I was asking about tent and sleeping bag. If we need it, I will just buy it.

[lancos]

Please sign me in.
Francois

[Adam]

Adam, may I borrow a helmet? Thank you!

May, yes, I have one helmet for you. No problem.

Adam, sorry for the confusion. I can bring my bike helmet as suggested by Andy. I was asking about tent and sleeping bag. If we need it, I will just buy it.

AB, no need to buy a tent and sleeping bag (unless you really want to...), I can provide both and a sleeping pad for you.

For all members... I will bring two Jumbo tents. They are very spacious, can save us all some space, money, and they are just plain fun. So, If you want to pile into a Jumbo, there is no need to bring your own tent, you can crash in a Jumbo. At least 8 spots are available.
[/quote]

Hi Adam,

I'm in. I can arrange an Indian meal for the camp if people are okay with that.

That is a very noble offer kind sir. I'm still waiting on a solid headcount and weather forecast to make the final call. At the moment, I may be leaning towards creating a semi-organized pot luck BBQ extravaganza...

[Abhijeet]

Thanks for the help again mate. You are a life-saver.
If possible, can you bring it.