"Ougatou, Utsukushigahara Highlands Translation: King’s Head, Beautiful Field 17/100 🏔 日本百名山 🇯🇵 Nihon Hyaku-meizan We had originally planned to climb Norikuradake, one of the tallest peaks in Japan, and also a P4k. As we approached the trailhead, we were stopped by a bicycle race. The road beyond Norikura Kanko Tourist Center both to cars and buses. This was a long way from Utsunomiya, and even longer from California. I was frustrated to say the least. I decided to change the plan on the fly. I picked a random peak on the Hyaku-meizan that was on the way home. We had a gentle loop through foggy ranch lands. We ate beef curry and soft creme at the cafe next to the summit. Then we looped back via a longer but better hiking route. The fog began to clear just as we arrived back at the cars, again. This wasn’t the most spectacular hike but it was good for a two year old. Just shy of a P2k." — seancasserly • Aug 28, 2022

"16/100 🏔 日本百名山 🇯🇵 Nihon Hyaku-meizan Ultra-prominent peak #58 🌋🗻⛰ Granite! With the aid of a bus ride and ropeway, this ultra is an easy one to bag, even with the baby strapped to my back. The real challenge would be the bonus peaks, Nakadake and Hokendake. World famous and highly accomplished Peakbagger Rob Woodall claimed it was not something he would risk soloing. I was able to "class 4" what I believe was a 5.6 summit block. I am not a climber so I am open to hear what other people think of my YDS rating. There is minimal exposure but the climb does require some basic rock climbing technique. I did it in my TX4 approach shoes. Other options included an off-width and a crack. I even found a couple old pitons drilled into a face. Hokendake was easy, but fun, class 3. The weather was overcast and we had no views the entire day. Leif got a little cold on the hike down, but he's a tough cookie." — seancasserly • Aug 27, 2022

"16/100 🏔 日本百名山 🇯🇵 Nihon Hyaku-meizan Ultra-prominent peak #58 🌋🗻⛰ Granite! With the aid of a bus ride and ropeway, this ultra is an easy one to bag, even with the baby strapped to my back. The real challenge would be the bonus peaks, Nakadake and Hokendake. World famous and highly accomplished Peakbagger Rob Woodall claimed it was not something he would risk soloing. I was able to "class 4" what I believe was a 5.6 summit block. I am not a climber so I am open to hear what other people think of my YDS rating. There is minimal exposure but the climb does require some basic rock climbing technique. I did it in my TX4 approach shoes. Other options included an off-width and a crack. I even found a couple old pitons drilled into a face. Hokendake was easy, but fun, class 3. The weather was overcast and we had no views the entire day. Leif got a little cold on the hike down, but he's a tough cookie." — seancasserly • Aug 27, 2022

"16/100 🏔 日本百名山 🇯🇵 Nihon Hyaku-meizan Ultra-prominent peak #58 🌋🗻⛰ Granite! With the aid of a bus ride and ropeway, this ultra is an easy one to bag, even with the baby strapped to my back. The real challenge would be the bonus peaks, Nakadake and Hokendake. World famous and highly accomplished Peakbagger Rob Woodall claimed it was not something he would risk soloing. I was able to "class 4" what I believe was a 5.6 summit block. I am not a climber so I am open to hear what other people think of my YDS rating. There is minimal exposure but the climb does require some basic rock climbing technique. I did it in my TX4 approach shoes. Other options included an off-width and a crack. I even found a couple old pitons drilled into a face. Hokendake was easy, but fun, class 3. The weather was overcast and we had no views the entire day. Leif got a little cold on the hike down, but he's a tough cookie." — seancasserly • Aug 27, 2022

"15/100 🏔 日本百名山 🇯🇵 Nihon Hyaku-meizan Ultra-prominent peak #57 🌋🗻⛰ Akadake (P6k) -> Yokodake -> Ioudake -> Neishdake -> Tengudake, Higashi mine -> Tengudake, Nishi mine (Nihyaku-meizan #17/200) Yatsugatake more appropriately refers to the mountain range while Akadake is the range high point. Did this as a point to point with my friend Jon Rogozen, who moved to Tokyo earlier this summer. We had the advantage of having cell phone service and my wife down in Hara with a car. This allowed us to easily arrange our pick up. We started a kilometer beyond Yatsugatake Sanso. My mother-in-laws car could not complete the drive to the Minoto Lodge. We exited at Kosen Karasawa Yatsugatake. Absolutely beautiful hike!" — seancasserly • Aug 25, 2022