A Day At Karasawa, Kita Alps and Back Down The Mountains
The views from, and around, Karasawa hut were breath-taking in more ways than one. It would get darn cold at night and even in the sunshine, a jacket was necessary. Unpacked, if you can call taking out a clean t-shirt and sweat pants unpacking, we gathered at the long tables in preparation for meager dinners supplemented by whatever goodies we brought with.
Kate then filled us in on the options for tomorrow. She was going to lead anyone who wanted to go with her, up to Hotaka-san. Mt. Hotaka (or Hotaka-dake) is Japan's third highest peak at 3,190m/10,465'. Two other peaks in the vicinity are Mt. Okuho and Mt. Kitaho, both with similar altitudes to Mt. Hotaka and about a three-hour "climb" up. Those two sounded more like mountaineering than climbing to me with a recommendation that you had to use an ice axe and crampons before July. This was October and there were still patches of snow in the scree. Back to Kate's scheduled hike, the ascent to Hotaka-dake entailed climbing up steel ladders bolted into the cliffs and chains.
Umm....no....I don't do ladders and chains until compelled because: (a) It's a long distance trek and I must use them to get to the next place; or (b) A life-or-death situation. Count me out. Most of the others were up for it including ex-Marine. The rest of us were going to take short hikes around Karasawa, read, schmooze and relax in the sun. That settled, to bed with Shirley and Dave.
The next day, I wandered around Karasawa and sat on the deck admiring the brilliant Fall colors. All of a sudden, ex-Marine materialized out of nowhere. He was supposed to be on the all day hike up to the peak of Hotaka-dake, what the ??? Steve said he made it up the first completely vertical steel ladder, broke into a sweat and realized he would never make it back down. With that, he came back down to Karasawa.
He spent the day with the rest of us chickens, doing nothing but slurping up Ramen. SUGGESTION: If you ever want to hike/trek, etc., it's very important to get a complete definition from someone as to what it entails similar to the information Kate gave us. It's also extremely important to know yourself. Fears, physical ability and stick to your guns. Don't ever let someone talk (or coax) you into attempting something way beyond your ability. It's okay to challenge and stretch yourself but know your own limitations for your safety and the safety of the group like Steve did. There's no shame in admitting..."I can't do this..."
The same path back down through the gorgeous amphitheater, through the forest along the river to Tokusawa hut for one last evening...
...our own room, and a hot bath before training to Kyoto. The hiking portion in the Kita Alps of Japan was over and I said the usual prayer of thankfulness for getting over the slippery poles again and to the bottom in one piece.
