Sotochichibu Nanamine Jyuso

Translation: 

After hiking all day

Over seven peaks 

Through rain and mud and fog

(and yes, through snow)

...

your boots will look like this: 

It was an early start

 but the 5:20 train was full of other hikers,

 all with the same idea:  

check in early

and get hiking!

Rain gear donned

Laces tightened, gaiters cinched, straps adjusted

onigiri unwrapped. 

We arrive

a brightly-colored stream

of packs and backs and hoods.

6am. 

 a light but persistent drizzle

we trade registration for official cards

ride the train back one stop

and get to business. 

6:20 am. 

the adventure begins - 

on pavement

an easy warm-up

we enter the woods

in a snaking line

making our way

uphill

to the first checkpoint peak

back on the pavement

for a long uphill slog:

boring

my vision reduced to 

the green line of my hood

and the white line i walk

but 

we are making good time

and i can only laugh

when the rain turns to 

what we might call

'wintry mix'

back into the woods

for the most challenging

ascent

the line holds together

still hiking in company

as the trail runs a river

beneath our boots

we climb

a false summit 

and another

(and probably another)

as the ground whitens

and there's no longer a doubt

that snow is falling

up into the clouds

nothing to see

but the trail before

the branches above

the tree trunks beside

second checkpoint reached. 

onward. 

11 am. 

Stop for sustenance. 

Within minutes

we realize:

It. 

Is. 

Cold. 

I am cranky. 

I have thoughts of 

hot showers.
but.

Kyoko is determined. 

so on we trek. 

and suddenly

i am enjoying myself. 

i have embraced the snow

the mud

the cold

my wet toes:
the challenge.

and the trail

is my favorite kind:

along the ridge

rising and falling.

the ascents are 

tricky

scrambles

the descents

mucky

muddy

slippery 

slopes

so i develop a strategy:

low center of gravity

stick first

feet angled sideways.

don't rush. 

that doesn't stop me

from a wipeout

(or two).

one
intense
final
push

as the trees
throw snowy clumps

now
at checkpoint 5
we are rewarded
with stunning views
clearing skies
and promise of an easier path
for the next 17 kilometers

slip-slide down
to solid pavement
clearing views
and blessed sun.

one last foray
into the woods
for two more peaks:

The last 10K

downhill

under sunny skies

through fields and farms

mother nature

atoning for her earlier

behavior.

We reach the goal together

at 5:40 pm. 

11 hours,

20 minutes,
and 40 kilometers

later.

sources tell us

that only 700 people

out of 7,000 who registered

completed the course

under the most difficult conditions

anyone can remember.

and i'm already excited:

for next year

for a faster time

for a bit more fun

for sunny skies.