Mt Katsuragi hike

 Our quest for awesome Mt Fuji pictures was foiled this weekend! We signed up for an excursion offered by the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) office. We've been trying to book one of their trips ever since we arrive. They always fill up within the first few minutes of opening up. But FINALLY we were able to book one.

We were excited because the hike would give us a unique view of Fujisan from the South with the ocean in the view as well. Unfortunately it turned out to be a cloudy and rainy day.

The hike to the top of Mt. Katsuragi was very strenuous. Our guide told us to expect to be hiking for about 4 hours. She told us the first 1.5 hours would be the toughest.  It was pretty steep and in some spots there were much needed ropes that were put up along the trail to pull yourself up. The trail was very narrow with lots of steep switchbacks. A time or two I was on the verge of hyperventilating (fear of heights!) But I'm glad Kimball talked me through it. I made it to the top! 

In fact, our group made it in about 2.5 hours total. Our guide was surprised. Kimball and I were the "old folks" and we tried to keep up. I think it would have taken longer if our group was larger and/or had people with hiking difficulties. But everyone kept a pretty good pace throughout.

The worst part was that it rained on us the entire hike! That made the trail muddy and slippery in some spots. Once we reached the top everyone was ready to head inside and order some yummy soba noodle soup. I was planning to nurse my soup for an hour while I warmed up and dried out! But, just as the soup arrived we remembered that a few days before, the Army issued a new order that all military personnel  (civilians strongly encouraged) were forbidden from eating inside a restaurant! Ah, such a disappointment. We slurped our soup down in 10 minutes and headed back into the rain. 

We saw the two active duty guys in our group, who did not forget the new order, eating their soup outside in the rain. So sad!

From the trail we had a view of the ocean below with Horse Mackerel and Sea bream farms.

We tried to walk around and see the Panorama Park but its hard to enjoy it when you're cold and wet. There really is a lot to see and do at the summit, and we came across something that was just perfect for the day we were having - a foot onsen. The water comes from underground hot springs and it felt soooooo good so soak in it. And it was covered! You might not believe Kimball did it but I have the picture to prove it.

 If it was a clear day this view would look straight out to Mt. Fuji! 

Our MWR tour included a ride down the mountain on the ropeway. This took us below the clouds and the hills were pretty with fall colors.

As the MWR bus pulled out headed back to Camp Zama, the rain stopped, then the clouds cleared, and....Fujisan appeared. Hard to say if we were happy to get a view or mad that we sat in the rain all morning waiting for it.

Pictures through the bus window:(