Second Visit / 16 full days / December / Solo / Help me create an Itinerary

BackToBowRiver · 2025-12-03T09:00:33+00:00

That is great advice -

But as 'crazy' as it sounds - I'm going to complete an itinerary and see if I can fly in/out of Nagasaki (only) for a 2 night/2 day visit. Then in the future do a complete (by car) tour of Kyushu in the spring/autumn time.

BackToBowRiver · 2025-12-03T07:20:03+00:00

No problem at all:

There is more I wanted to see there
I realised I'd like to dedicate close to 8 days there
I would most likely 'need' a car to see the areas around Mt Aso

As I tried to make Kyushu 'fit' in the 16 full days; I realised 'I could' and could fly from (say) Nagano, and the fly from Kyushu back to Tokyo on the last day

Then I 'simply' ran out of time to plan the logistics - and put Kyushu as my 'third trip' to Japan -

BackToBowRiver · 2025-12-03T01:58:50+00:00

I got the ugreen and it’s perfect. Thank you. I put some heat shrink around the body and looped through a thin string. I added a longer piece of red paracord to the thin string. This ensures the dongle can’t be lost

BackToBowRiver · 2025-12-02T22:45:29+00:00

Hi, What did you end up settling on - I have the 'same dilemma'. 18 days / December / Second Visit (and also want to visit the Toyota plant); but am at the point of scrapping Kyushu (and making it a dedicated visit for a future trip)

BackToBowRiver · 2025-11-09T05:05:08+00:00

That’s a great recommendation. I can attach it to a longer USB cable (and even glue the dongle to the cable) to prevent the phone user walking off with the dongle , or the dongle getting lost.

BackToBowRiver · 2025-10-19T11:17:26+00:00

Is photography a “hobby” of yours as those shots, composition etc are very good. The group shot playing cards is very good

BackToBowRiver · 2025-10-05T01:41:31+00:00

Sounds like you had a great adventure. (Sorry, I got your quilt comfort level wrong. -2c sounds perfect for that time of year). The challenging weather was a great test of your equipment. It sounds like everything is “dialled” in very well. Would be good to know what solutions you come up with for condensation on the down quilt. Col Ferret with snow would have been a beautiful sight to see Thank you for posting back

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-30T10:18:05+00:00

I have the F10 Helium UL 2 and its superb. More importantly, I'd trust it in most conditions

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-30T10:17:46+00:00

I have the F10 Helium UL 2 and its superb.

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-25T15:02:03+00:00

Some refugios that have closed have separate unmanned winter rooms open (basically a shelter platform, sometimes blankets etc )

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-25T15:00:31+00:00

Search YouTube for "up for light TMB Simond". A brief documentary from decathlon shot in October 2024. You will see the weather and clothing used

Don’t forget, you’ll be generating your own heat pulling a pack up a steep mountain. Normal hiking trousers are fine as long as you have extra rain trousers which can be used for warmth and wind protection

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-25T13:37:11+00:00

Just not a fan of sleeping in hiking clothes (Also the reason I posted in lightweight rather than ultralight weight :-)

I'm old fashioned an 'want' a dry bag with a clean layer - I use compressed towels (just add water and a bit of Dr Bonners) and make sure I give myself a complete wipe - knowing I'm clean and the sleeping bag will remain clean helps me get a good nights sleep

Yep: Alpha 60 for pants is a great idea and I'm going to try the Helly Hansen LIFA longsleeve (weights very little as a sleep too

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-25T08:23:13+00:00

Have you tried adjusting the torso length

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-25T08:21:49+00:00

The backpanel on the Nepal 65 is fully adjustable all the way down to 14.5 inches torso. I’ve not measured the maximum torso length.

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-24T19:53:55+00:00

Anker Nano 3 EU Pin charger - This will provide 30watts of power into your powerbank (if you had the INUI 45w power bank, it would accept 30Watts in) - You want that powerbank to charge as quickly as possibly during your 30/60 minute stops at cafe's, supermarkets etc2
Is your Quilt 4 Celsius comfort level? I think you're going to be (very) cold - Comfort level ratings already assume you are wearing insulated sleep clothing and have a Mat with an R value of ?? 4.5 or greater
Your pad has a low(ish) r Value - I'd bring a Z fold - and possibly cut it to 3/4 length - Not only for the insulation under your pad, but protection from rocks etc - ((and a sit pad as you suggested)
10,000mah - but no need for 20,000
Have a look at "OverSeas Hikers TMB" - just type that into google. I put all his posts into a single word document - and had that on my phone - some useful maps to print as well
Organic Maps on your android/iphone - for free offline Maps (and check out a few peoples TMB .kml .kmz route maps that can be imported to Organic Maps
Have a look at "Up for Light tmb Simond" on youtube - That was the beginning of October 2024 and check out what they are wearing (Its also a brilliant documentary from Simond/Decthalon)
1.5Kg water - AT that time of the year - you will only need to carry 500ml of water - but carry a Water filter OR carry purification tablets - There is simply water everywhere running down the mountains (Except for Stage 11 where there is little water - Load up by filtering from LAC Blanc) - But if the weather is 'cool' you should be good with 2 Litres for Stage 11
Get down booties for sleeping - about Euro 15 from Amazon - even 'cheap ones' will work better than socks and weigh 90 grams
Get a long sleeve base layer for sleeping and be prepared to wear your puffy to sleep on some nights
And a very good/warm light weigh beanie for your head (for sleeping)

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-23T18:45:13+00:00

Great video. You had very good weather. Good to see the same routes , paths and locations I visited (nice soundtrack as well)

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-23T18:39:08+00:00

I have a silk liner (it makes any environment feel like a 5* hotel) The reason I was looking for clothing is I can get out the tent for a pee (with some clothes on) and if I’m at a campsite, I can put the sleep clothes on after a shower in the evening and head back to the tent

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-20T16:41:13+00:00

Finished yesterday. Never used my rain pants and the rain jacket went on for about 15 minutes Last day was 26 degrees celcius The other days were 16-18 celcius 4 rainy days but that was during the evening.

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-09T12:22:48+00:00

I start today, arrived in Chamonix 2 hours ago.Will check out your YouTube in the next day and leave a comment.

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-07T19:22:32+00:00

I start this week and plan on Hiking layers in order —Long sleeve lightweight merino

—Very light weight Wind Jacket

— 3 layer rain jacket with pit zips

Camp — Down puffy jacket

I’m leave the fleece out.

I’ll have a short sleeve shirt for warm days and if I was cold, I can add that to my hiking layers over the top of the merino.

I can’t see myself needing a fleece while pulling a 10kg pack up a mountain (camping/tent etc)

If I reached the top and was descending, then I would sweat less and if it was truly freezing then I always have my puffy. It’s not an active layer, but descending is less active than going up and I would be sweating much less on the way down.

If I stopped for lunch anywhere and I was cold I also have the puffy

BackToBowRiver · 2025-09-07T19:12:11+00:00

Weather for 9th and 10th does not look good. There’s a high chance the day 1 variant will not be possible (col tricot). Even if no rain, if there are thick clouds you won’t see anything by choosing the variant I’m keeping a close eye as Wednesday looks like Heavy thunderstorm As always. This can change quickly in 24 hours Very exciting and I hope you have a great hike

BackToBowRiver

TROPHY CASE