7/26 Mt. Ishizuchi First Attempt

One of the things I knew that I wanted to do before I even got to Matsuyama was climb to the summit of Mt. Ishizuchi. "Stone Hammer mountain" is the tallest mountain on Shikoku and in west Japan and just so happens to lie in Ehime prefecture. So, of course I was going to put this on my list. The mountain summit lies 6.503 feet above sea level which places it about 275 feet higher than Lake Tahoe.

Turns out that the rest of my seminar class thought this was a good idea as well, so we planned a field trip to go climb it. At about 9:30 am on a glorious Saturday morning we arrived at the Ishizuchi summit trailhead at Tsuchigoya terrace. What we had not known was the extent to which it would be raining. We went into the little shop there, and tried to see if we could wait out the rain. We checked everything out and I really liked their Mont Bell shirts. I also bought some kudzu, ivy mochi. After a while it was still not letting up. So, we went over towards the trailhead entrance to check out a large shrine that was there, and there were some little dragon sculptures around. Then we had to make the hard decision to cancel the ascent and do something else. Because some of the trail consists of metal platforms and iron chains that you have to climb up, it could be slippery, and therefore dangerous.

From the trailhead parking lot we drove south to an area called Omogosangaku. It's like this little river-canyon area. We parked at this museum and walked out along the river. We ended up seeing some spectacular areas and were lucky enough to find quite many newts. They were black with  red bellies and super cool. The path we walked on was super lush with vegetation and the concrete fencing was covered in moss.

From there we went a little ways up the river and stopped to explore a gravel landing along the Omogo river. We ate our lunches there, and I realized I should have brought an actual bento instead of onigiri (rice balls). We took a group picture there, and I think I have it somewhere.

From there we drove back to the museum and went inside. It was pretty small but still interesting in its own ways. We paid for admission and immediately went and looked at all the bugs on the first floor. There were containers full of the newts we had just seen and MANY with hercules beetles (kabutomushi). It was funny when we noticed that a kabutomushi had escaped and was upside-down hanging on the ceiling.

We went through the exhibit that told us the history of Mt. Ishizuchi mountain climbers and provided us with an array of local wildlife. They were doing an exhibit on animals that were extinct or endangered, and it turned out that one of the animals they were talking about was that dollarbird from Tobe Zoo.

On the second floor there was a library, and a cardboard cutout of two beetles, which Tokuoka-sensei and I stuck our heads into. When we were leaving there were some kids that were absolutely in love with the kabutomushi.

On our way back we stopped in Kumakogen for some lunch (and dessert). I think we went back to the bakery again, but it seemed that they were closed again. Of all things that could happen, we were able to meet the mascot for Kumaokogen! It's a river otter wearing a mikan head scarf and a fish biting its tail. But we had to focus, because our mission was eating dessert. I ordered a large matcha shaved ice (this was a mistake), and scarfed it down. There were some other things that looked good as well, but I was only going to order one thing. I think it was Tokuoka-sensei who had paid for everyone. I am so grateful!!! On another day they actually surprised me with a Mont Bell shirt, I still wear it!

Then we had to drive back and reschedule the hike to another day.