Yet another month - yet another mountain. This month we climbed Mt. Hinode and Mt. Mitake. The weather was not sunny and it was not warm but there were many surprises to be had.

Setting off. The fall colors this year are not quite spectacular.

I spot a snake… and the first thing I do is pick it up. Little did I know that it was a ‘Mamushi’, one of the most poisonous snakes in Japan. Good thing it was already dead.

I then spot a giant tree of mystery, but continue hiking along trying not to upset it.

What’s this? Why do I seem mesmerized?

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That’s right, snow! The first snow of the year. While the suckers down in Tokyo get rain, we mountain people got snow.

The summit of Mt. Hinode. From here we have to hike to Mt. Mitake, even though the snow is continually increasing.

What a find, a lonely maple tree still showing its colors amidst the cold and snow.

The snow is starting to completely cover everything.

Yet, still, it is so beautiful…

Finally, a little shelter to make our lunch.

We made ‘kimchi ojiya’.

Adding the eggs for the delicious final product.

Content and a little cold after lunch, we pack up and take a picture.

But first, a snowball fight.

The final group picture at Mt. Mitake.

Oh, and the biggest frog ever.