CHIC End of year Party

Over 30 people came along to the Brazilian restaurant for our end of year party. Takashi won the 3000 yen jackpot in the janken game, and Sergio's team demonstrated their expertise on the subject of CHIC and mountains by winning the quiz. Kaori's impersonation of a mountain bird is the funniest thing I have seen all year.

Sample quiz questions:

1. Name one mountain in Japan beginning with each vowel (A, E, I, O and U).
2. Name 3 hikes that the club has done twice this year
3. What are three benefits of hiking?
4. How do you say "peak" in Japanese?
5. What were 5 dishes at this year's CHIC autumn BBQ

Get practicing ready for next year!

Some photos here. If you have more, please share your link by adding a comment.

Sanpo, ogura and Yoro Mountains

Event	3 peaks: Sanpo, Orura and Yoro Mountains, Gifu
Grade	2 star
Transportation	8.01 Kintetsu train from Nagoya to Kuwana (arrive 8.21) 8.45 Yoro Railway line from Kuwana to Yoro (arrive 9.35) Cost: 980 yen each way.
Number of hikers	11
Weather	Clear, warm and sunny
Details	After a walk through Yoro park, we got to the famous Yoro waterfall. Here we left the crowds of leaf-viewers behind and headed up the steep track to bag three peaks. We really enjoyed the autumn colours and the views.
Hiking time	About 6 hours including breaks, souvenir shopping and photo stops
Leaders	Jo and David
	Photos

Fujiwaradake (1120), Mie

Hike time	About 6 hours
Grade	2 (challenging)
Number of hikers	20
Hike details	We made good time up the steep zigzagging path to the 9th station and warmed up in the hut. Some people go all out at lunchtime - Masa and Yasu made toasted banana and honey sandwiches. Yes, they brought a sandwich toaster up with them! Justin brought an enormous thermos of coffee to share. We went out into the sleet for the last part up to the peak. When the clouds cleared we did get glimpses of lovely mountains in the distance. We were a week or so too early to see many red leaves on the trees at the shrine at the end.
Transportation	We took the 8.01 Kintetsu train to Tomida (28 minutes) then changed onto the 8.39 Sangi line train to Nishi Fujiwara (50 minutes). We took the train back at 4.39, changed at Tomida and got back to Nagoya just after 6pm. Fare from Nagoya: 1040 yen each way.
Weather Leaders	Showers plus sleet/hail at the top! Jo and David
	More Photos!

Magome to Tsumago

Hike time	4 hours
Grade	0.5 (easy)
Meeting time and place	7.15 and JR Chikusa station (downstairs near the ticket machines)
Hike details	(From Japan-Guide.com) "The beautiful former post towns of Tsumago and Magome are connected with each other by an attractive walking trail that follows the old Nakasendo, a Edo Period highway from Kyoto to Edo." ..."the trail is 8 kilometers long" ... "Partly nature trail, partly covered by original cobblestones and partly paved roads, the trail passes several small villages, waterfalls and historic structures."
Transportation	1. Take the 7.34 JR Chuo line train to Nakatsugawa. 1280 yen. 70 minutes 2. Take a bus (there is one at 9am) from Nakatsugawa to Magome. 540 yen. 30 minutes. Return (1620yen) 1. Take the 4.05 JR Chuo line train from Nagiso to Nakatsukawa (21 minutes) 2. Take the 4.39 JR Chuo line train from Nakatsugawa to Chikusa (69 minutes)
Leader	Lucas
Number of hikers	Over 30

Club BBQ

What a wonderful BBQ at Shonai Ryokuchi Koen! There was a great turnout and perfect weather! Thanks to the organisers for the wonderful food.

Photos here

Feel free to reply to this blog and share your photo link with the group.

Ena-san, 2190m

Mountain: Ena-san

Date:  October 13th and 14th, 2007

Transportation:   By car

Rating of hike:   Two stars

Number of hikers:   4

Weather:   Dry, cool and a bit misty

Hiking time:   Around 7 and a half hours (including breaks)

Hike leader:  Justin Powell 

Comments:                 

The night before, we stayed in the emergency hut at the top of Fujimidai
(mountain next to Ena-san). Justin cooked us an amazing Nabe and new
member, Jeff, showed us some card games!

We started the hike on Sunday morning. The trail was  quiet and we
saw lots of beautiful autumnal colours. It was a really lovely walk.

Photos here

Mt. Tsugao (273m) hike

Event: Mt Tsugao (273m) hike-Sunday 07th- October

Hiking hours: 4

Hike rating: 0,5

Weather: cloudy

Transportation: 11:00 Meitetsu train from Nagoya Sta. to Inuyama Sta. (540 yen). On our return we made the 03:56 train from Zenjino Sta. (650 yen).

Number of hikers: 3

Leader: Sergio


Photos here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sergioinjapan/MtTsugaoHike/photo#5118526970161687490