Okutama, Japan: One night hike

**alt.thomas** · 07-19-2016, 22:43

This will be my first trip report so mind the gaps please (I hope I can edit this after initial posting).

Map of area

Day one, July 17
Bus dropped me off from Okutama station around 8 in the morning. I was hoping to cross the pontoon bridge but....

Tokyo is going through a very long dry spell and the water level at the reservoir had dropped preventing its use.

Sight of lake via detour

Made my way top of Mt. Mito

Special thank to @williecash for providing some SoCal Hangers bling!

Temperature started to climb up towards the lower 30°C mark but humidity dialed up to 11 and reached 100% in the afternoon. The whole place felt steamy and clothes were collecting moisture from the inside and out.

Sauna in the forest

At this point, I have less than 100ml of water (i packed 4l) and am basing the whole trip that I find water soon...

Finally, this way to water

Too tired to do anything but collect water and set up camp.

Day 2

Picture of camp before teardown.

The humidity dropped a little and the mist from yesterday disappeared. Unfortunately the hornets are out and on patrol.

Continuing on the ridge line.

These hornets are bad mo-fos not be messed with.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japane...et?wprov=sfsi1

Every single time I wanted to stop for a break, they harass me. I noticed each hornet has a zone they protect and a new hornet would greet me every 5 minutes. Without rest I decided I've had enough and hiked down the hill earlier than planned.

No hornets here!

Day 1

Day 2

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**SilvrSurfr** · 07-19-2016, 23:05

Some of those images aren't showing up on my computer. Looks like a nice trip!

EDIT: I guess they show up in Flickr if you copy the link out of HF.

**alt.thomas** · 07-19-2016, 23:21

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Some of those images aren't showing up on my computer. Looks like a nice trip!

EDIT: I guess they show up in Flickr if you copy the link out of HF.

Thanks! I found the edit button and was able to upload photos directly.

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**ofuros** · 07-20-2016, 00:48

We get those temps & humidity here too, I feel for you.
Nice trip though. 👍

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**alt.thomas** · 07-20-2016, 06:04

Originally Posted by ofuros

We get those temps & humidity here too, I feel for you.
Nice trip though.

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Thanks! Already looking forward to autumn but a glutton for punishment. May do some one day trips instead.

**BigE94** · 07-20-2016, 07:16

Looks like a awesome hike. Love the pics of the reservoir. If I see signs in the wood like that, I have taken a serious wrong turn.

**johnspenn** · 07-20-2016, 11:17

I spent some time hiking in Japan many moons ago as a Marine. There is some beautiful country over there. Never had any experience with those hornets, thankfully. Thanks for sharing!

**Shug** · 07-20-2016, 11:24

Hope you had some Pocari Sweat to drink and Pockies to eat.
I have been to Japan several times but never got to camp. Looks steamy and fun.
Shug-san

**alt.thomas** · 07-21-2016, 00:34

Originally Posted by BigE94

Looks like a awesome hike. Love the pics of the reservoir. If I see signs in the wood like that, I have taken a serious wrong turn.

Here's how the bridge looks when operational and reservoir filled.

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**alt.thomas** · 07-21-2016, 00:37

Originally Posted by johnspenn

I spent some time hiking in Japan many moons ago as a Marine. There is some beautiful country over there. Never had any experience with those hornets, thankfully. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks! It's awesome anytime you get a full view of Fuji-san.

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