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

CHAPTER 14: Too Many Bees

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion October 3, 2020October 3, 2020100 Summits, Climb, hyakumeizan, Japan, jimmu, mountains, Mt. Odaigahara, Odaigahara, yatagarasu

Odaigahara lies in southern Nara Prefecture–several hours south of Nara City (itself, an hour south of Kyoto)–in a mountainous region formerly known as Yamato. After two days of rain, I was glad to see the sun as the bus set out for the trailhead.

CHAPTER 12: At Least the Frog Was Happy

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion September 17, 2020September 28, 2020100 Summits, Climb, hiking in Japan, Ibukisan, Japan, mountains, Mt. Ibuki

The rain should have told me climbing Mt. Ibuki was a bad idea. Unfortunately, my lack of mountain climbing experience (or even hiking experience) left me entirely unprepared for the events that followed.

CHAPTER 10: Cuckoos and Chains

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 29, 2020September 15, 2020100 Summits, chausu, Climb, hiking, hiking in Japan, Japan, Mt. Nasu, Nasu, nasudake

The Nasu volcanic complex began erupting over 600,000 years ago; today, Mt. Chausu is the only major active peak in the Nasu range. The last major eruption occurred in 1963, and the peak remains on the Japanese government’s “watch list” for active volcanoes.

Chapter 9: No Raisins on the Summit

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 23, 2020August 29, 2020100 Summits, Climb, hiking in Japan, hyakumeizan, Mt. Zao, Zao, Zaosan

All shinkansen (bullet trains) are not created equal. Some stop more often than others do, and some travel at (slightly) faster speeds. The fastest, known as the hayabusa (peregrine falcon) travels at up to 300kph (200 mph) runs mostly in the Tōhōku region, north of Tokyo.

Chapter 8: Horses’ Bells and Dragons’ Eyes*

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 17, 2020August 23, 2020100 Summits, Climb, Hachimantai, hiking in Japan, hyakumeizan, Japan, Japanese mountains, Kizuna Festival, Mt. Hachimantai, Tohoku, Tohoku Kizuna Festival, Tohoku Rokkonsai Matsuri

Morioka City is the capital of Iwate Prefecture, in the Tōhōku region of northern Honshu (Japan’s largest island). I arrived at Morioka Station via shinkansen (bullet train) on the morning of June 3, intending to spend my rest day exploring the city and learning a little about the people and culture of Tōhōku–although I had no definite plans. Little did I know . . .

Chapter 7: Fear Is a Liar

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 16, 2020August 17, 2020100 Summits, climbing, Hakkoda, Hakkoda Ropeway, hiking in Japan, hyakumeizan, Japan, mountains, Mt. Hakkoda

Aomori Prefecture, on the northern end of Honshu (Japan’s largest island) is famous for its apples. Hirosaki City, in particular, is so proud of its “ringo” that it puts them on city mailboxes.

Chapter 6: Hope for the Best, GORE-TEX for the Worst*

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 14, 2020August 16, 2020100 Summits, Aomori, hiking, hyakumeizan, Iwaki, Iwakisan, Japan, Mt Iwaki, Shinkansen

Japan has seven major shinkansen lines, all operated by Japan Railways (JR). From north to south, they are: the Hokkaido, Tōhōku, Joetsu, Horikuru, Tōkaidō, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen. I rode them all during my 100 Summits year.

Chapter 5: Don’t Forget the Bug Spray*

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog, CLIMB Photo Companion August 13, 2020August 13, 2020100 Summits, Climb, Daibosatsu, hiking in Japan, hyakumeizan, Japan

Japan has amazing bakeries–from high-end French patisseries to “choose-it-yourself” wonderlands filled with dozens of varieties of sweet and savory breads (some available year-round, and others seasonal). Although I often forgot to pack a good lunch during my early climbs, I quickly learned to pop into a bakery the night before and pick up something tasty for the trail.

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

(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 13, 2020100 Summits, Akagi, Climb, Climb photo companion, hiking in Japan, hyakumeizan, Japan, Mt. Akagi

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.

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