August 20
It's 2 trains and a bus to Kawaguchiko today, about 4 hours worth of travel. We come here for one reason, for one of us to climb world famous Mount Fuji.
Prior to our lodging host picking us up at the bus station, we hit the equipment rental across from the station to get a couple of hiking poles for tomorrow's climb.
Mt. Fuji is often swaddled in clouds during the climbing season, from about mid-July through August. Here it peaks at us from over the roof of the bus station.
August 21
It's Oh-Dark-Thirty in the Morn' - that is 530 am - I trek out alone, with Tim sleeping in. It's too many hard steps up and then more so on the down for Tim - it would take him too many hours and too many pills to do it. :-(
Oh well, I have many "friends" who will make the attempt with me today.
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After we're halfway to the get-off, we're above the clouds and the skies look very nice...
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It begins...
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It's time for hats and sunglasses...as I depart from Station 5.
The trail starts tamely, wide enough for service trucks...
Now it's more to my liking, a human path, and I can start getting some elevation behind me...
Tim is somewhere down below those clouds.
When I look up, it's nothing but blue skies from now on.
 Ahem, cue the blue skies, I said.... |  Okay, there's still a few rogue cloud banks floating by above... |
From here, I can see how far I still have to go..........up
 Tamed slopes.... |  ....untamed slopes. |
Now at Station 6, all the stuff you may have forgot to bring is found here.
I now have to hobble up this morass, and those buildings above are still Station 6.
Yes, the store stands ready to serve, but I think I've brought up more than I need today.
Station 7 is attained, where people will arrive later, lodge a bit, and then hike at night to catch sunrise at the top.
This trail segment is providing more of the morass challenge.
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...and then more of what is called "Station 7", and more lodging for those sunrise seekers.
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Now going straight up to find Station 8.
And here it is!
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Yeah, still at Station 8, and still about 1,500 feet up to go.
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I'm glad I get to come down an alternate route some of the way back - my knees don't enjoy steep steps.
600 feet higher, I'm at Station 8.5...
 Cloud 9: a state of bliss, elation or happiness | Hiking with some Air Force "buds".  |
 "The Price is Right Cliff Hanger" Station Gate? |  |
Yes, lot's of "friends" are with me here.
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Station 9 - about 600 feet more to the top.
As the day warms up below me, the clouds can reach a bit higher, but fortunately it's not supposed to storm today. Meanwhile, "Blue Vest Man" is grimacing at the effort.
Ropes aren't provided to help you get up, but for keeping you on the route.
 |  Arghh, people above me look like ants... |  |
A high shrine is up ahead...
Ooh nooo, do I have to pass through the 'Pearly Gate'...
Or is this the last gate before Nirvana?
Passing beyond there's a National Flag, there's a monk stamping memory plaques.....
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...there's a caterpillar truck???
...rocks used to keep buildings from blowing...........off the top?
Could it be?
Yaaasssss!!!!
Yes, yes, yes.
A crater slumbers in the background...
Many happy hikers around me....
Yep, there's now the "down" to contend with...at least a lot of it is an alternate trail.
Sharing the trail with "others".
Snaking right, then left, then another right, and then more turns than my fingees and toeys can count.
I save another 200 yen ($1.40) - I didn't need to pee all day.
 Tunnel-like structure for protection from avalanches. | Getting closer to the bottom...  |
Tired and satisfied...
...another thumbs' up for a hike in Japan, a big thumbs' up!
After the hour's bus ride, I walk by the local Lawson on the way "home" - its been almost 12 hours since I passed this spot in the fog this morning. People here say this Lawson has the most beautiful setting of all the Lawson stores in Japan - it's hard to disagree.
August 22
Today was the backup day for climbing Mt. Fuji - yes, the weather yesterday was very nice, today, not so much. So we have a day of rest and relaxing - with beer and fine sushi from the local supermarket. Yeah, sushi from a supermarket, it was very good, believe it or not.
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Good night Mt. Fuji!
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