A couple weeks ago my co-worker invited me to join him in climbing Mt. Takao. It's a mountain (obviously :) about 1.5 hrs away by train. It's an annual hike he does with a bunch of friends - I was super-thrilled he asked me to join! I was so pumped! I could finally bust out my new hiking shoes, which were light as a feather and required NO breaking in, and practice for my big hike up Mt. Fuji in a couple weeks.
The weather that day was brutal - 33 degrees by 10am and in the afternoon 44 degrees with the humidity - WHAT? And I'm supposed to hike when the sun is at it's highest? Nuts, right? Well by the time we got there we were already hot and we started our hike. At first it wasn't so bad. Most of our hike was covered by trees and so it was pretty shady - thank god! Because if it was THAT hot in the shade I might have passed out in the sun. The terrain was pretty difficult, too. It was really rocky, uneven, and wet. I slipped a couple time and almost hurt my ankle. The paths are narrow too and only leaves room for single file. When we passed people coming down the mountain we had to stand to the side.
I was NOT in good shape for this climb. It took about 2-2.5 hrs to climb and I literally wanted to just give up and turn around. Only the hike down is even more dangerous b/c it's so slippery. And I really wanted to accomplish this goal. We took breaks a few times and I got my wind several times too but they didn't last very long. At the end there were SO many steps to climb to get to the top (I don't know why there were steps at the end...) but I was really struggling by then. It really hurt to lift my legs and I was totally winded and exhausted. I honestly didn't think I would make it. I'm being dramatic, I know, but it's really how it was. Not to mention I'm pretty sure I was getting heat stroke - my stomach hurt the entire time, I was nauseous, and had a headache.
But, whatever - I did it!!! We got to the top and saw people splashing water on themselves at these outdoor sinks and I started whooping! Then my coworker said "there's still a little more..." GAH!!! So I dragged myself up the hill and just sat down on a bench. I had to wipe myself off, and brush my hair, and try to de-gross myself. When I looked in the mirror I had to ask myself why I even bothered washing and straightening it - I had sweat so much (you try NOT sweating) that my hair had gone all wonky! Kinda funny :)
And then I saw the view - breathtaking! There were so many "layers" of mountains in the horizon. Just row after row and each one seemed more and more faded. It was gorgeous and I couldn't stop looking at it. The climb was definitely worth it!
Then we celebrated my going to the BEER GARDEN after!!! It was buffet style and you can eat and drink (beer and liquor)! My fellows got their money's worth but I was so hot I just wasn't that hungry or thirsty. I did eat 2 kakigoris so I was in shaved ice heaven :)
The view from the balcony was incredible at dusk. At one side you could see those layers of mountain and a train running through one of them. To the other side you can look down and see twinkling lights, cars, buildings in between the mountain valley. What a sight! I could have stayed there all night - but there's a time limit so we had to vamoose! hahaha!
So fun things that happened: along the hike we saw a monk/priest (not quite sure) in a fenced area performing a ritual. It smelled like camphor (I liked it!) and he was rubbing himself all over with pounds and pounds of salt to cleanse himself. The he threw buckets of water over himself to wash it away. Then he walked down these stone steps out of view, praying and chanting and clapping the whole time) to stand under the waterfall. We couldn't see him anymore and continued our hike. We passed a fence with a hole in it - someone had obviously pulled it out - to see the man sitting UNDER the waterfall letting the liquid pound his back as he chanted and yelled. What an incredible test of strength and determination.
We also passed countless people - young and old - descending the mountain. When I saw the old people doing this I told myself, "If they can do, I can do it!" It worked! I don't know if they climbed up or took the trolley but the climb down is pretty dangerous and they did it, no problem.
Another nice thing is everyone says "Konichiwa" as they pass you. In Japan, when you see people climbing or descending you consider them a part of your journey and say hello as a form of respect and unity. I thought that was really great.
As great as this hike was and as much fun as I had I realized one thing - I am not ready to climb Mt. Fuji. :( So I'm going to try and prepare and climb it next year. The Mt. Fuji climb is pretty hard and I don't think I could handle it. We were planning on the night walk. The hike takes 6 hours (at least) and you need to take a winter coat with you. The only thing is, you can't wear it when you start b/c it's so hot and you have to carry it for hours until it becomes freezing. Also, my winter coat in back home being sent at a later date...not ideal.
At any rate, the hike was great, the view was phenomenal, and the realization of not being able to climb Fuji was sad but I'm glad I did it and can't wait to try something new soon!
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