The weather this August—torrential rain day after day for almost two weeks. One of my goals this month was to do plenty of hiking, with Mt. Shiomi (塩見岳) in the Minami Alps being the main objective. Mt. Shiomi is a mountain I’ve wanted to climb for some time now but never quite managed it.
t’s too hot to do anything vigorous outdoors at the moment. Seeng the Norwegian triathlete vomiting after crossing the finishing line this morning (a 6:30 am start?) was proof of that.
This was the third time I’ve hiked this trail. In July 2019 Sampukutoge was the goal but then I was unaware that an additional 40 minutes southwest to Eboshidake would, on a clear day, present me with a clear view of Mt. Fuji.
read more Mt. Fuji Sunrise Hike – Eboshidake in the Minami Alps
Ashihama remains wild and isolated. You can hear the deer, see the eagles soaring above, and see telltale signs of wild boar everywhere. If Chubu Electric had had their way then it would be the site of a nuclear power plant today.
I was on my way to Osaka this day and purposely chose to avoid using the shinkansen.
The bitter cold of Hokkaido is serious business. It makes you feel alive, reminds you that it’s the environment, not you, that’s in control.
