I want a T-shirt...

that says "I survived the Northern Japanese Alps!" to commemorate our incredible weekend hiking trip!

According to Rieko's guide book, the hike we took was supposed to be for beginners, but it was quite difficult. Maybe alpine hiking beginners are supposed to have wings or something to fly over the crazy parts where you need to crawl up and over very steep rocks using your hands and feet so that you don't plummet to your doom. ;)

The first day was sunny, breezy and clear. We had amazing panoramic views and saw abundant alpine wildflowers. There were also several raicho sightings. Raicho are cute birds and are also called "Thunderbirds" because they (usually) come out only when it is overcast and according to legend protect people and buildings from fire and thunder.

The second day was a great challenge. The weather shifted and it was rainy, cold and windy. Clouds and the mist were on the trail, so it was kind of spooky and dark. We kept joking that we were on the "path to Mordor" from Lord of the Rings.

Pretty crazy way to start my hiking career, huh? Kind of like starting to run with a half-marathon or something. :) But, I'm sold. I hope we can go back again! I feel like it was a real achievement.

Domo arigato gozaimasu to Chris and Rieko for being such patient friends in handling my new-hiker "jitters" and lack of proper hiking boots. You guys are AWESOME!

Hiking in the Japanese Alps...

That's what we'll be doing for the next two days. We'll hopefully get good weather, and hence, good pictures.

Provided, of course, that the bears don't eat us.

Note to Easily-Worried Mothers: This is a Colbert Report reference, and you should not actually worry about us being eaten by bears.