Ascending Mt. Doom (AKA Asahidake)

Okay, to be clear, no hobbits (or former-hobbits? What are the kids calling Gollum these days...) were hurt in the pursuit of this summit. Though, there were complaints about the quality of dinner and the complete disregard to Second Breakfast...

Our ever-independent traveler packed up and set out with a couple of couples through fog obscured mountain turns at night to a remote mountain hostel ("remote" here meaning the nearest conbini would take well over an hour round-trip). Maybe that was where the mood began, with the feeling of a perfect horror movie set up (in hindsight no wonder there were so many references of throwing a virgin sacrifice into the volcano, they literally went to stay at a cabin in the woods...).

Views from the observation platform

Quite surrounded by the mist....

(cheers to not staying in the super fancy hotel across the street)

It was a short holiday, but they were determined to fill it with simple wonders of exploration.

They took their time waking up in the morning, and set off for the mountain. She's not the most road-savvy hobbit, and doesn't have the equipment of a more seasoned traveler (yet), but even through the clouds and fog she could hear the sky beckoning her. They started on the lower foot paths and trails but soon came upon the trail over the mountain.

dragons in training~

Up, up, up the mountain they went (completely free of tunnels, thank goodness) stumbling and sliding on the shifting stone beneath their shoes. They stuck together for the most part, calling encouragements and insults back and forth when they stumbled. It was a wearying trek, and the path seemed to keep adding upon itself just when they'd thought they were getting close.

a mountain of rocks on a rock on a mountain~

(I'm /such/ a nice friend~)

After a short rest and snack (hardly qualifying as Afternoon Tea...) they began to break up more. The two pairs that had started with her stuck to each other like Frodo and Sam or Merry and Pippin, helping the other stay focused or cracking jokes to dispel their weary cloud. Our lone hobbit continued on, merely smiling at her ease in slipping from awareness and glad for her own two feet beneath her--trusting in herself more fiercely in the absence of company.

Closer (well, maybe closer, as distance is so relative to a hobbit who lacks depth perception climbing a mountain in a cloud) to the summit, one pair decided to turn back and she caught up to the pair continuing onward. Volcanic boulders slowly came into focus as they came out of the cloud, and the smell of sulfur hung in the air. After a few false peaks and narrow crest walkways, they arrived at the apex. Seeming more like an island in the Grey In Between than the highest peak in the land, she savored the feeling of being on the edge of the world--physically and otherwise.

Asahidake- 2,290m

(elusive photos of our hobbit courtesy of her hobbit friends)

The time soon came when they had to acknowledge their quest complete and begin down the mountain. Though there was no Eagle Lift Service available, they still made it down in almost half the time, and caught some amazing views as the clouds began to break.

With feelings of fulfillment, they made their way back to their "base camp", had a few disappointments with dinner (a hobbit is never satisfied...), enjoyed an impromptu solstice festival (complete with giant fire!), and relaxed in the outdoor onsen.

Though they had to head out around noon the next day, they made time for what they thought would be a quick walk around some paths. And then they delved into the forest:

Hello little serpent friend :)

(you honestly wouldn't believe how many times the quote 'What are men to rocks and mountains?' goes through my head...)

"Let's treasure nature. Please only 'take' pictures!"

Eventually the time came for them to pack back into their car and leave. She knew they had a long journey back home, but she couldn't help feeling as if something were left undone. She dearly loves the adventures she's able to have with her friends. But maybe she needs to take a journey where she is actually alone, as the weekend had turned more couple-y than she had first perceived and being the 5th has never been too auspicious for her. They conquered Mt. Doom, and she plans on using her new perspective (cloudy though it seems at times) to resolutely keep moving--regardless of the lack of companions in her sight.