The hike to Ominesan.

[workinforturns]

Some friends and I went south from Osaka on Saturday to the small town of Shinoichi. Here we caught up with a good old friend, beer.
Drew and Ichiro comparing sizes. I guess its true what they say

From here we cought a bus over the mountains to an even smaller town of Dorogawa. It had a great mountain town vibe with nice people. We found out where to camp and on the way up to it I ran into the town's snowboarding club doing off season training. I showed them how to powerslide on the skateboard.

Some discussion on how it's done.

Then it was their turn.

Camped the night at a campground protected by the blue tarp. Some froze their asses off, others were ok.
The next morning it was all rain, rain, rain. Our group split up and Drew and I hiked all the way to the trailhead through downpour. Some things we saw on the way.

The world will kill you!!!

you litter, you die

At the trailhead we all met up again. To my suprise a rally race was happening on the road I was just hiking on.
Sweet Suby

I want to drive.

The rain wanted to clear, but never did.

The trail was not allowed for some people.

so many steps

Alot of monks making the pilgrimage to the top

Our crew
L-R, Andrew, Drew, Nick, Ichiro. Pretty ragtag.

Fudo Myoo, the "Immovable one" Badasssssssssss

It was beautiful despite the rain

The hiking got pretty tough

After that picture we made it to a hut where they said an hours hike would bring us to a place to sleep for free. Once we got there they told us we couldnt stay there, they were pretty big dicks about it for being buddhist monks. Their house if you want to send some hate mail;

They told us that another 50 minute hike would bring us to our place.
more steps

We got there and it was a simple hut that was perfect, especially after a seven hour hike. Spent a cold night without a sleeping bag and soaked to the bone.
The next morning...rough.

The weather finally cleared on the way down to our suprise and joy.
Looking down at Dorogawa.

In high spirits

And at the bottom, the god of something, looking like he will kill you.

Oh wise one


Fun trip with some good friends despite the weather. And we all came out alive.

[Schmear]

Funny, Ichiro looks a lot bigger in person.

[mn_teleswede]

Well done young Grasshopper! Now... Quickly as you can- snatch this pebble from my hand. Then ... you will be a man.

Mr G

[Odin]

bump for coolness.

or kewlness

or c00lness

or k00lness

[workinforturns]

Mr. G, someday but not today.

Japan is sweet, beautiful mountains, beer, and women.

Odin, thanks. It was a fun time for sure

[Lexi-Bell]

Sweet scenery, nice shots, looks like fun man!

Too bad those monks wouldn't let you crash their pad, you could have shown them true enlightenment.

Are you barefoot in this one?