Mid-January and my final foray into Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park to knock off the last unclimbed Hyakumeizan in the Kanto region. The early morning train rolled into Chichibu station under clear skies as I changed to a bus bound for the trailhead at Hinata Ooya. The route required a change of buses a little further on, [...]
Archive for January, 2012
Mt. Ryokami – trouble on ice
Posted in General, Kanto hikes, tagged hiking, Hyakumeizan, Japan, Mt. Ryokami on January 31, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Mt. Gakunodou – halfway there
Posted in Kansai hikes, tagged hiking, Japan, Kansai Hyakumeizan, Nara on January 29, 2012 | 4 Comments »
“What am I doing here?” The question echoed through my mind as I kick-stepped up the 50 degree slope. I can’t really say I’d lost the trail since I never found it in the first place. I knew there was really only way to go, though: up. Nine-hundred eighty, nine hundred ninety, one thousand. The [...]
Mt. Ena – Caught off-guard
Posted in Nagano hikes, tagged hiking, Hyakumeizan, Japan, Mt. Ena on January 25, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Peak #40 loomed on the horizon as Andrew and I changed to the Limited Express Shinano train at Nagoya. The sun shone brightly for the 7:00am departure, a stark contrast to the cold rain of the previous day. Fumito was waiting at Nakatsugawa station with a car full of fuel and a big smile on [...]
Mt. Yufu – A Tale of Two Peaks part 2
Posted in Kyushu hikes, tagged hiking, Japan, Kyushu, Mt. Yufu on January 18, 2012 | 4 Comments »
After the ferocious winds of Kuju, Kanako and I were ready for a break. The town of Yufuin willfully obliged, offering organic smoke-free cafes, creatively designed art museums, and cobalt blue thermal baths. Just what we needed to rejuvenate the mind and body for the impending second bout with Mt. Yufu. Would the weather finally [...]
Mt. Yufu – A Tale of Two Peaks part 1
Posted in Kyushu hikes, tagged hiking, Japan, Kyushu, Mt. Yufu on January 5, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Mt. Yufu soars majestically from its base at the scenic hot spring town of Yufuin, rightfully earning the nickname of Bungo Fuji by pre-Meiji era pundits. Cloud clung tightly to the twin peaks on the summit as I munched down on chicken tempura in a eatery next to the bus terminal. I boarded the 1pm [...]
