Hey, I emailed this newsletter out to several people but not sure if everyone has got to really see it. It turns out the file had some japanese characters and some PC's can't handle it really well so I am posting this snippet about myself on this blog.
You can click the picture above to get a better look.
This newsletter is published in the country of Japan namely all Hitachi branches around this side of the world. I didn't realize how much attention was given about it until recently. Hopefully I am able to get the front of my face next time around, hell hopefully a close up!!!!!
The climb from the 5th to the 6th station is over an enormous ash field, which formed during a recent eruption in 1707. Mountain huts at the 6th, 7th and 8th stations operate during official climbing season and also provide warm food (curry rice, ramen, soba, drinks etc).
Still trucking along here, looking back the scenerey was breathtaking. We were very lucky to take the trip on the weekend that we did. The weather was great and low and behold the major typhoon that was going to hit Japan happened only two weeks later from this trip.
Some of the shots came out very well, you can tell our height on the mountain by the clouds in the background of this picture.
The lack of air pressure the higher we got was noticeable on this bag of chips. Unfortuneately the bag blew up before we made it atleast to the lodge (Stage 8).
Our 3000meter marker. Hooray, progress is actually being made!!!!
If you notice I am fully geared up now. The higher in elevation the colder it got. Just to think it was sooo hot and humid at base camp but making it out to Stage seven things were getting quite chilly.
We took a break around stage Seven before continuing. these lodges were interesting to see. Very basic and they stick to the term of a lodge in its true definition, or more so like cabins. They have light and water which was great.....
Mountain huts are dotted along all stations on the Kawaguchiko trail, as well as the summit itself, selling basic climbing gear (sticks, flashlights, raincoats), drinks and candy (¥250 for a Snickers bar). You can pay to have an official seal burned into it marking your arrival at every station, making a handsome souvenir, which of course is what I did every chance I could get.
We are getting somewhere when the clouds start showing up below you.
The terrain was starting to get steep and rocky. It was little tricky sometimes because of so much loose gravel and rocks.
Nishimoto-San was looking to see how much further up we needed to go, it was getting dark now. We started feeling a bit homeless and getting a bit tired.
Night got to us by the time we made it to the lodge level, but thank goodness, we have finally made it. If our feet didnt pulsate so much from the hike we would jump for joy!!!!
Our first meal at the lodge, not the tastiest dish in town, but dammit when you're hungry and tired it tasted like five star quality food!!!
The day was perfect for hiking, it was a bit hot and humid, (did I say sweaty?!?) but overall it was clear and no major weather lied ahead for the start of our hike.
The start of the hike was great, everything is sooo green and lush, I was getting nervous because as soon as we passed the grand entrance to the trail, the trees and bushes got bigger and bigger. I almost felt like Little Red Riding Hood, with a strange feeling of losing myself into the woods until we landed on to a sign which pointed the way. (Yes I know go up to find the peak, right?)
Okay I think I understand now, that if you take this trail as shown by this line here, you can reach the peak!!! If you click on this picture above, half of the sign is in english. Its all good!
We finally got some elevation going on here, after we cleared the trees, and bushes we turned around a view of the horizon was beginning. The bushes and trees quickly became scarce. The terrain is getting very rocky, not much of a big deal on level ground but can be a little tricky during steep encounters.
Nothing can be seen but just a sea of green. The color is very vivid, it reminds me a lot of Oregon.
Sixth Station was reached, which was kind of cool. Nothing much there except a little shack, and a couple guys posted up to sell stamps. We got our first marking on our hiking stick here, it was actually pretty cool, they have these stakes like what would be used to brand a cow, it was red hot and burned the stage mark onto our sticks the price was decent I guess, nothing is free in this world, 500Yen.
Nakajima-San posted up looking pretty!!!
Nishimoto-San, cute as always!!
The comic relief guy, Morikawa-San
Miyaki-San, usually laid back....
Sixth stage accomplished. Two more to go!!! So I figure I better get my Pocari Sweat together. Not sure if anyone knows "Pocari Sweat" but this is the best invention, it is better than gatorade I think.
The name was chosen by the manufacturers originally for the purpose of marketing the product as a sports drink in Japan, where people generally do not mentally translate names appearing in English and are therefore not bothered by the connotation. It was largely derived from the notion of what it is intended to supply to the drinker: all of the nutrients and electrolytes lost when sweating. (The first part of the name, Pocari, means "like a cloud floating in the sky" or "a situation in which a cloud is floating in the sky" in Japanese, and has a connotation of lightness, buoyancy, and ease. "Sweat" was apparently intended to suggest diligence and its fruits - the idea intending to connote to the user that Pocari Sweat works to make one feel fresh and relaxed. However, some Japanese apparently drop "Sweat" from the name in common usage.
Still trucking on. Our goal is to reach the lodge which should be between Stage Eight and Nine. From the the maps and guide, it is about a six hour hike (beginners) to that point.
A glimpse of the lodges are shown here, of course we are still on stage six area we are looking for Stage eight so still got a ways to go. Stage Seven is just beyond this section. The trail actually goes through most of these lodges which is kind of neat to peak inside and see how they look.
Well!!!!!! Looks like it is time for another break!!!
Hey folks I am back from a very nice week long vacation. It was Ohbon week in Japan. Basically a collection of holidays that lasted a week so I vacationed with the rest of them plus a great buddy of mine from the Bay, Luis showed up so we burned the midnight oil in Tokyo!!! I know I have neglected the site for a week - ish but I am back in full gear now!!!
Well after a short bus ride we arrived at Stage Five campground. I was shocked on how many people were there, from what I hear many people just go this far, any thing higher than this would require hiking shoes.
Many shops were here, so I perused around for a bit before we got together for lunch. It is always good to get a good meal before a hike. We managed to get some hiking sticks, all of us got one with bells and flag, plus our first stamp which is for Stage Five. The guy at the store also gave us a quick lesson on how to hold the stick while climbing up and down the mountain. You hold the stick slightly under shoulder height while climbing up and when climbing down you hold the top of the stick. (this advice paid well during the hike by the way!!!)
Well after lunch, we finalized our plans and gear and now the journey to the top begins......
The last couple weeks have been very busy for me but I haven't forgot about my multi-part series on the trip to Mt. Fuji!!!!
It was a group of six co-workers that showed up for the trip early Saturday morning. We were to meet at the office at 6am. It was going to take about 4 hours to reach the foot of the mountain.
I was very careful to make sure I didnt take too much or not enough. I had rain suit/windbreaker, with two extra pairs of socks, shirts, and underwear. I also brought some snacks and plenty of water, with gloves, a hat and of course my ipod for tunes.
Thanks to the courtesy of Hitachi High Technologies Japan we managed to use the company van for the trip.....hooray hooray......freeeeee!!!!!! We rounded up the folks and packed up for the road trip.
Many hours later, fighting traffic and all, we finally got a glimpse of the journey ahead. The Saturday we went was a beautiful clear although hot and humid day. From the looks of the mountain I am sure the climate would change when we near the peak of this dormant volcanoe.
Two girls from the job who went on the trip from left to right, Nishimoto-San and Nakajima-San, just a cheesy plug for their favorite rice chips. What was interesting is that the bags started inflating more and more as we increased in elevation (less air pressure) until they popped by themselves!!!
Finally we made it to stage three of the mountain. There are ten stages total with stage ten being at the peak, we started gearing up, before we take a bus to stage five of the mountain. From left to right are the other members, Miyaki-San, Furiki-San, and Morikawa-San.
I was too sexy to put on my gear yet so I waited until stage five......besides 100% humidty a bit much for me to cover up yet..........Next stop Stage FIVE!!!
Well after lunch, we finalized our plans and gear and now the journey to the top begins......
Thanks to the courtesy of Hitachi High Technologies Japan we managed to use the company van for the trip.....hooray hooray......freeeeee!!!!!! We rounded up the folks and packed up for the road trip.
I was too sexy to put on my gear yet so I waited until stage five......besides 100% humidty a bit much for me to cover up yet..........Next stop Stage FIVE!!!
