So here I am with a big conference call in 30 minutes to discuss a technical disagreement with one of our major customers, and I Don't Care.
I'm thinking about Mt. Fuji instead.
The path we are intending to take is 19 km long. That's a long way horizontally, never mind the vertical component. We're neither one of us in the best of shape - not bad, but not at all hiking fit, either.
The temperature promises to be about 27°C (86°F), rather warm for starting such a long walk. At the summit it will likely drop to 13°C (56°F). There isn't supposed to be rain, we'll hold to that.
Add to that the crowds and the fact that we could not get any reservations for a resting place as is usually recommended, and we're looking at a bit of an ordeal.
We can cut off a good 8.5 km by taking a cab from the Sengen-jinja shrine to Umagaeshi. This is still below the First Station, and is traditionally the place where horseback riders would dismount and walk the rest of the way. However, the hike between Sengen-jinja and Umagaeshi is said to be about the prettiest part of the walk (as well as passing a tea house for stopping for a late breakfast) and the easiest. It is a difficult decision.
Since we are expecting to climb at our own pace without a multiple-hour rest stop, we could get to the 5th station in a single 12 km hike. We could then wait until dark (as many do) and make our way the last 6 km after resting at the touristy but facilities-rich 5th station.
We've heard the crowds from the 5th station on up make it seem more like standing in line on stairs than like a hike. It behooves us to leave plenty of time so that, even with the crowds, we reach the top in time for the sunrise.
I'm trying to be as Zen as possible about this and avoid over-planning as much as possible. However, getting the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience means making some decisions and seeing if we are up to the challenges.
Whatever happens, watch this space for reports.
I'm thinking about Mt. Fuji instead.
The path we are intending to take is 19 km long. That's a long way horizontally, never mind the vertical component. We're neither one of us in the best of shape - not bad, but not at all hiking fit, either.
The temperature promises to be about 27°C (86°F), rather warm for starting such a long walk. At the summit it will likely drop to 13°C (56°F). There isn't supposed to be rain, we'll hold to that.
Add to that the crowds and the fact that we could not get any reservations for a resting place as is usually recommended, and we're looking at a bit of an ordeal.
We can cut off a good 8.5 km by taking a cab from the Sengen-jinja shrine to Umagaeshi. This is still below the First Station, and is traditionally the place where horseback riders would dismount and walk the rest of the way. However, the hike between Sengen-jinja and Umagaeshi is said to be about the prettiest part of the walk (as well as passing a tea house for stopping for a late breakfast) and the easiest. It is a difficult decision.
Since we are expecting to climb at our own pace without a multiple-hour rest stop, we could get to the 5th station in a single 12 km hike. We could then wait until dark (as many do) and make our way the last 6 km after resting at the touristy but facilities-rich 5th station.
We've heard the crowds from the 5th station on up make it seem more like standing in line on stairs than like a hike. It behooves us to leave plenty of time so that, even with the crowds, we reach the top in time for the sunrise.
I'm trying to be as Zen as possible about this and avoid over-planning as much as possible. However, getting the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience means making some decisions and seeing if we are up to the challenges.
Whatever happens, watch this space for reports.
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