{"id":2426,"date":"2014-06-01T16:42:46","date_gmt":"2014-06-01T07:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2014-06-01\/2426"},"modified":"2014-06-01T16:42:46","modified_gmt":"2014-06-01T07:42:46","slug":"my-mt-hiei-climb-challenge-2014-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2014-06-01\/2426","title":{"rendered":"My Mt. Hiei Climb Challenge 2014, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n

As I mentioned<\/a> the\nother day, I recently<\/span> did my third-annual Mt. Hiei (\u6bd4\u53e1\u5c71)<\/span> hike, the first\ntwo years ago having been what prompted me to get in shape. Comparing this\nhike to previous ones is a yardstick<\/span> to measure how well I'm getting in\nshape.<\/p>\n\n

I've documented the route well enough in previous years (two years ago<\/a>\n ·  last\nyear<\/a>) so I didn't<\/span> intend to do it again this year. I did bring<\/span> along\na smaller<\/span> camera (a Nikon<\/span> D700) and the Sigma 35mm f\/1.4 lens that I bought<\/span> accidentally<\/a> to\ndocument my progress via timestamps on the photos, and for the azaleas at the\ntop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

I'd intended to leave at 9am, but it was already past that when I woke<\/span>\nup \ud83d\ude42,<\/span> so with my brain still half asleep I set<\/span> out at 10am, snapping a\nphoto<\/span> to mark the time...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>6400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSetting Out<\/span>\nat 10:05am\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The walk through the city to the trailhead is about 3.5km (2.2mi), which\nI use<\/span> as an opportunity to explore a bit,<\/span> since I normally<\/span> don't walk in\nthat part of the city. For example, 10 minutes in I came<\/span> across a very<\/span>\nnarrow lane that I decided<\/span> to take simply because I could.<\/span>..<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1250 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nNarrow Lane<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I eventually came upon a shrine that I go<\/span> by often without apparently\npaying it much notice, so this time I decided<\/span> to pop in for a few<\/span> minutes...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCity Shrine<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

It has a hotel right next to it, and lots of utility wires and such out front, but a nice<\/span> view can be had with judicious composition...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nOkazaki Shrine (\u5ca1\u5d0e\u795e\u793e)<\/span><\/span>\nKyoto, Japan\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1250 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>5000 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

It looks like a nice spot for a picnic,<\/span> but I had<\/span> other plans, so after spending four minutes I continued<\/span> on toward the trailhead.<\/p>\n\n

At the start of the trail is a little stream just perfect for toddlers\nto play in, and a preschool<\/span> class was making a visit.<\/span> I couldn't<\/span> help but\nstop for a bit<\/span> to watch the kids exude cuteness...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nToddlers Playing<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I soon arrived at a shrine that marks the start of the real hike for me,\nand I paused<\/span> for a few<\/span> minutes to stretch. It took 45<\/span> minutes to get here.\nLast year it took 72.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nStarting Point<\/span>\nOyamazumi Shrine (\u5927\u5c71\u7947\u795e\u793e)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

After a 10-minute pause, I started the hike proper.<\/p>\n\n

I noticed that the signs on the trail markers were new, with more English:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

(Compare to this sign<\/a> from last year.)<\/p>\n\n

They still don't have distances on them, which is unfortunate.<\/p>\n\n

I also noticed a bunch of other signs that I guess<\/span> other groups put up. The big one<\/span> in the shot below is really\ndifficult for me to understand, perhaps because of the font or because they have such little detail, and perhaps because they're\nnot affixed permanently and so maybe get twisted so you can't tell the orientation. I found<\/span> them to be quite distracting. )-:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nToo Much Signage<\/span>\nwith too little information\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>6400 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n“<\/span>The Shrine Clearing”<\/span><\/span>\nsnapped more to mark the time and location than for its photographic composition, sorry\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

A clearing where a fire road ends at a stone<\/span> shrine gate is a notable<\/span> waypoint for me... it's where\nI took<\/span> my first long rest in prior years (two years ago<\/a>,\nand last year<\/a>), and marks where the trail starts to get serious.<\/p>\n\n

The first year I did this it took 48 minutes of agony to get here, and I rested<\/span> 20 minutes just to summon the courage to continue.\nThis year took the same 48 minutes to arrive, but I felt<\/span> great. Not even winded<\/span>. I stopped<\/span> long enough to snap the photo and have a quick<\/span> drink,\nthen plunged into the start of the challenging part of the hike.<\/p>\n\n

Immediately after the stone-shrine-gate clearing is a set<\/span> of very steep downs and ups and downs and ups described here<\/a>. The “<\/span>downs”<\/span> are what scare me the most\nbecause of knee pain I've had all my adult life. The first<\/span> year I did<\/span> this I had<\/span> to climb down the trail backwards to avoid the pain. Last year I wore<\/span> knee braces and\nhad better luck.<\/p>\n\n

This year I was going to find out just how much better I've gotten, so I didn't<\/span> wear the braces. I was extremely<\/span> happy to find that I had<\/span> no pain\nat all, and fairly flew down the mountain with enough energy to run back up the other side of each ravine.<\/p>\n\n

After about four such down-and-cross-a-stream-and-go-back-up sets, I came across<\/span> the second important waystation for me, a small<\/span> stone monument\nthat I described the first year<\/a> as a rough<\/span> halfway point.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>2000 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHalfwayish<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The first year it took me 18 minutes to make the ups and downs to here from the stone shrine gate. Last year it took 16 minutes. This year just 8.<\/p>\n\n

Previously I'd stopped here for some food and some rest, but I didn't<\/span> need either this time, so I\nsnapped<\/span> a quick<\/span> picture to mark my\nprogress, and continued on my way. From here it's unrelenting up up up up,\nequivalent to about a 110<\/span>-story flight of rocky rough sandy steps.<\/p>\n\n

Toward the end of the hike I came across a group<\/span> of 20 or so folks heading up at a slower<\/span> pace...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nTraffic Jam<\/span>\ngroup in the far distance marks the first people I've seen in an hour\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/7.1, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCompleted<\/span>\nRest area near top of Mt. Hiei\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

As in previous years, the scenic-view picnic\narea<\/a> near the top was my destination, and I\nmade<\/span> it in fine time, if not in fine style.\nFrom the stone shrine gate clearing to here took just 48 minutes; last year\ntook 62 minutes, and the year before 70.<\/p>\n\n

Overall, from leaving the house to here — all stops included\n— took 2h 31m. (Last year, where I stopped<\/span> for photography and rests,\nit took 3h 41m.)<\/p>\n\n

Last year I'd taken 4.5L of drink with me, and needed all of it. This\nyear I brought<\/span> only 2L, and had plenty to spare.\nI did take<\/span> drinks more often than I felt<\/span> I needed<\/span> because they\nsay that when exercising you've waited too long if you wait until you're\nthirsty. Still, when I did<\/span> force myself to take\na drink,<\/span> I was\nsurprised<\/span> at how much I suddenly<\/span> wanted.\nIn the end<\/span>, I probably<\/span>\ndrank 1.5L on the way up.<\/p>\n\n

I wore the exercise shirt that I wrote<\/span> about two months\nago<\/a>, and it was fantastic. It kept me<\/span> cool and comfortable. It's not very<\/span> stylish as you can see above,\nwhich is why I wore<\/span> a bigger<\/span> T-shirt over it during the city part of the hike.<\/p>\n\n

I also wore a\nknit<\/span> hat designed for the heat<\/a>. It, too, isn't stylish, but it was\nso<\/i> nice to not have sweat dripping in my eyes. It made a<\/span> big difference.<\/p>\n\n

I wore some Brooks walking shoes that I'd bought last year<\/a> and they too were great... no blisters.<\/p>\n\n

Wearing normal jeans was not a good idea... they get sweaty and heavy. I'll need to come up with something better for next year. (Update: this<\/a>)<\/b><\/p>\n\n

It turns out that the azaleas that I'd hoped to photograph were all brown... I was a<\/span> week too late. I guess<\/span> they were early this year.<\/p>\n\n

I didn't feel the need to rest, so I quickly<\/span> took off to check out some famous temples a few<\/span> km farther on that I'd heard about.<\/p>\n\n

Continued here...<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As I mentioned the other day, I recently did my third-annual Mt. Hiei (\u6bd4\u53e1\u5c71) hike, the first two years ago having been what prompted me to get in shape. Comparing this hike to previous ones is a yardstick to measure how well I'm getting in shape.<\/p>

I've documented the route well enough in previous years (two years ago   -   last year) so I didn't intend to do it again this year. I did bring along a smaller camera (a Nikon D700) and the Sigma 35mm f\/1.4 lens that I bought accidentally to document my progress via timestamps on [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2426"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2426"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2426\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}