100 Summits – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

Chapter 3: Cherry Blossoms and Liver Spots*

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 12, 2020August 12, 2020100 Summits, cancer, cancer treatment, chemotherapy, Climb, hiking, Japan, Tokyo 0 Comment

(March – May 2018)* I started chemotherapy two days after returning from my Christmas trip to Tokyo. That sleepy smile in the photo above is a combination of traveling and the massive dose of Benadryl I received before the infusion. Jaime (left) and Vickie (right) made my chemo treatments as easy, and as fun, as chemotherapy could possibly be. They were happy, loving, and friendly to everyone, and I will treasure their friendship always. You read that correctly. (That isn’t a COVID mask – it’s what an immunocompromised cancer patient wears to try to stay safe in public). My mother,

Chapter 4: You Are Not Prepared*

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 12, 2020August 12, 2020100 Summits, Akagi, Climb, Climb photo companion, hiking in Japan, hyakumeizan, Japan, Mt. Akagi 0 Comment

May 20, 2018 – Mt. Akagi (#1) In Japan, it isn’t possible for foreigners to rent a long-term apartment without a long-term visa (more on this in a later chapter). Due to “exigent circumstances” (discussed more in the book), we had to make due with short term rentals during our first four months in Japan. Fortunately, I had already booked our initial six-week stay through 1/3 Residence–a company that rents short- and medium-term furnished apartments in Tokyo. I worried a little about how Oobie would react to the move. She was a rescue, but we adopted her directly from the

The Bells of Daibosatsu

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog April 7, 2020April 7, 2020100 Summits, bear bells, Daibosatsu, hiking, Japan

The mountains of Japan have a healthy population of Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus), and although they don’t hunt hikers, people do occasionally suffer injuries (and, more rarely, death) after accidentally startling a bear on mountain trails. As a result, most Japanese hikers wear small bells that jingle to warn bears of their approach.

Halfway to 100!

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog January 3, 2019January 3, 2019100 Summits, hiking, mountains, Tsukuba

On December 31, 2018, I climbed Mt. Tsukuba – at 871 and 877 meters, its peaks are among the smallest of the Nihon Hyakumeizan (100 famous mountains of Japan) but the peak itself has important links to the Japanese creation myths, as well as a “rivalry” against Mt. Fuji (which Fujisan may or may not be aware of).
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98 Kilometers On The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog November 30, 2018100 Summits, hiking, Japan, Kumano Kodo, Nakahechi, travel

I’ve just returned from a 7-day, 98-km hike along the Kumano Kodo, a group of pilgrimage trails through Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture. Pilgrims of all social classes, from retired emperors and samurai to Buddhist nuns and priests, have traveled these mountainous trails on foot for more than 1,000 years.

Almost-Halfway 100 Summits Update!

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog November 16, 2018#100Summits, 100 Summits, Corinne O'Flynn, hiking, Mitake, Mount Mitake, mountains

I’ve been climbing my way through the autumn, and simultaneously working on the next Hiro Hattori mystery (tentatively titled Ghost of the Bamboo Grove), and it occurred to me that I’ve been a bit remiss in my blogging updates. Whoops . . . The summit count currently stands at 43 – a respectable almost-halfway total, though the coming snow will present some challenges moving forward.

Torikabuto and Takanosu

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog October 23, 2018October 23, 2018100 Summits, aconite, Hakone, hiking, Japan, summits, Takanosu

Yesterday saw the addition of three more peaks to my #100Summits list, thanks to a traverse of two peaks and a gondola-assisted climb of a third in the Hakone area. While I’ll give more details about the later two climbs in the weeks to come, today I’m sharing a little about the first, which also involved research for my next Hiro Hattori mystery (the first one to involve a ghost).

Fujisan Decides

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog October 21, 2018October 21, 2018100 Summits, climbing, Fuji, Japan, mountains, Mt. Fuji

Anyone who climbs mountains regularly knows that the climber gets to plan, and to attempt, but the mountain has a say–if not a deciding voice–in whether or not you stand upon its peak. In some cases, that also goes for whether or not you even see the summit.

Mt. Tomuraushi – and Pikachu!

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog October 1, 2018September 30, 2018100 Summits, hiking, hyakumeizan, Japan, mountains, pika, pikachu, Tomuraushi

My third and longest climb in Hokkaido was the first on my 100 Summits quest that I almost failed to complete. But it wasn’t pain or exhaustion that almost cost me the summit. On Tomuraushi, as always, time proved my worst enemy. My guide Takuto and I began our hike at 7:40 am at the trailhead near Tomuraushi Onsen, where we’d spent the night. If you read the sign, you’ll notice the peak lies 9.2km from the trailhead – and they’re not an easy nine kilometers, either. The hike begins with a lovely walk through pristine forest. It has some

On the Road – and at the Races!

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog September 17, 2018September 17, 2018100 Summits, hiking, Hokkaido, horse, horse racing, Japan

I’m sorry the blog has been more silent than usual lately – that’s changing, starting now. I’ve been quiet mostly because I’ve been climbing, and I have a ton of exciting moments to share! The #100Summits journey has taken me halfway across Japan, 1,100 kilometers north of Tokyo, to the northernmost major island, Hokkaido.

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