lost on a mountain!!

After walking the train trail along the river i noticed some signs that had a course with some waterfalls and viewing spots for the maple leaves. I could hear some other people ahead so thought i should check it out. There were 5 different trails so of course i picked the longest and most difficult. This seems to happen most of the time when you can't read the signs. back in spring i did the same thing at Setsukyo. There was a track leading up a mountain so i thought if there's a track there should be something interesting at the top. I got to the top after about an hour and there was a bench with a lovely view of some green trees that had overgrown the lookout view.

Anyway i didn't know how long this hike was going to be so i made a plan if i didn't start descending again after two hours i would turn around and go back. The climb was pretty difficult. really steep in most parts and lots of switchbacks. It was 8'c but i was sweating like pig and exhausted after about 1 hour. about half way up i came to a lookout and it was well worth it. The view was incredible. Still i didn't know how long it was going to take so couldn't stop for long. Right on two hours i was sitting on the top of the mountain eating onigiri for lunch.

This is the view from the bench i ate my lunch at. It was freezing cold at the top but i was glad i kept going even though most of the way i didn't have clue where i was going.

another view from the top. not as nice a photo but i could see a large city on the horizon. I think maybe takarazuka or kobe.


another cheesy portrait on the way down the mountain.

I love this one. The green, red and yellow gives great contrast.

anway i made it home safely, even though i could hardly walk to the train station. Lesson learnt if you're going to climb a mountain you don't need 4 camera lenses especially when one of them is a 300mm f4 and i really need to get a lighter tripod.

you can see more of the photos at my flickr page.
www.flickr.com/photos/brettinjapan