Walking Through Clouds

Before going on this hike, I did check the weather every day to make sure it would be sunny when we went. However, being from Florida, I clearly don’t understand mountains. The weather report told me it would be a beautiful, clear, sunny day for our hike. However, the closer we got to the starting point the thicker the clouds became. I’ve learned that mountain weather is unpredictable and it rains frequently due to high altitudes. Despite this, the clouds were actually really nice. I also think it was a better situation for a first big hike, as opposed to a clear day where the sun would be beating down on us.

The clouds turned out to be an awesome experience and the best part for me, because Zach and I were literally walking through them during the entirety of the hike. I could also see them move right in front of us. Every now and again the clouds would part a little to reveal a dramatic mountain scene. We didn’t even realize how high up we were until the curtain of clouds lifted for a brief moment.

Different Types of Terrain

I’ve been on a few mountains before, but this is the first time I’ve seen multiple terrains for one hike. I had to adjust the way I approached each path which was new for me. There were incredibly steep stone stairs, dirt and pebble paths, and flat paths. The dirt path was the most difficult for me, because there were so many small rocks and pebbles that I slipped on. Thankfully, I didn’t fall, but I had to be extra conscious of where I put my weight. The stairs were killer and my least favorite part. Thanks to them, I could barely move my legs the next day. The flat paths were obviously the easiest, but I was still wary due to the rocks being uneven. Although flat, it was still a tripping hazard.

For me, the dirt and pebble paths proved to be a problem on the way back down. My movements were a bit shaky due to exhaustion and I miscalculated where to step a few times. It probably doesn’t help that I have a damaged nerve in my ear which causes balance issues. Hiking is always scary because of this, but I don’t let it stop me. I slipped on some loose rocks multiple times on the way down, but I was able to catch myself. I concentrated on taking it slow and I let others pass me if they were moving faster. This hike was seriously a challenge for me at times, but I was able to get through it!

Rock Markings

After about an hour and a half or so of climbing, we were really, really high up. The air was thinner, so it was a little harder to breathe. I needed to take more breaks the closer we got to the top. This part of the hike usually gets extremely dense fog, and it’s easy to get lost or stray from the main path. Due to this, there are markings on the rocks and even the ground to help guide hikers in dense fog. I recalled that there was a map at the start of the trail detailing what to expect ahead. There was a big warning for this section, urging hikers to be wary of the fog. Thankfully, we didn’t have to deal with any fog and the path was straightforward.

I thought the markings were really cool and I wondered what had happened that prompted someone to put them there in the first place, if anything happened at all. Did too many hikers get lost or go missing? Hiking can be daunting sometimes, which is why I don’t climb mountains like this alone. I have much appreciation and respect for experienced climbers who do this all the time!

Fresh Water

There are points on Mount Chokai that have fresh water streams. Hikers can fill up their bottle with this water, but it’s recommended to purify it first due to the high amount of traffic on the mountain. The fresh water is also available in bottles at a shrine at the end of the hike, but it’s quite expensive. I brought a 1 liter water bottle with me, but I finished it before we got to the end. I had never been so thirsty before and we still had to make our way down the mountain. As much as I detested the idea of spending almost $5 on a bottle of water, I had no choice. Maybe I was trying to convince myself, but it did taste like very crisp and clean mountain water. It was pretty neat, and I loved the idea of drinking water straight from the source. So, I guess it was worth the money.

Gift Shop

After about one and a half hours, we finally made it back to Hokodate Hut. We checked out the gift shop before leaving and stocked up on more water. This gift shop was really cute and had a lot of specialty merchandise such as t-shirts, postcards, and Akita themed goods. There was also a cafeteria that sold ice cream and Japanese snacks. I fell in love with the Akita themed cookies that had Akita Inu and Namahage art. There were also Mount Chokai cookies that had Chokai’s height printed on them. These cookies make great gifts for family and friends!

Another big thing they had there was gourmet popcorn with crazy flavors such as raspberry, orange honey, lemon, and strawberry. Zach and I grabbed some and ate celebratory popcorn in the car before leaving. This was the perfect way to end a long day of hiking!