« ペンテコステ礼拝 | メイン | The Church In Japan: A Spring Baptism »
2007年05月23日
Japanese Mountains: Mt. Yamato Katsuragi
Every year around the middle of May there is a mass exodus of climbers from Mt. Kongo to Mt. Yamato Katsuragi, The reason for that is the mountain azalea. A major part of the main peak is covered by wild azaleas. I don't have official figures but I would guess at least in the thousands and maybe even more than ten thousand wild azalea plants cover the peak and actually turn it red. And so every year, in May, the regular Mt. Kongo climbers take a break and climb Mt. Yamato Katsuragi.
This year I climbed with Mr. K who had not climbed this mountain before. The wating time for the ropeway was one and a half hours as we left the crowd behind and started up the main path to the peak. Halfway up we ran into Mr. KN-a regular Mt. Kongo climber. He told us he had decided to climb BOTH mountains and so at 7:30 in the morning he had climbed Mt. Kongo and then followed the Diamond Trail down to Mizukoshi Pass and then on up to the peak of Mt. Yamato Katsuragi. Mr. K and I did not have that kind of energy and contented ourself with just the one mountain that day.
The azaleas were jstill at their peak and the weather was perfect-not a cloud in the sky. We enjoyed our lunch surrounded by the red flowers and the sounds of hundreds of people talking and taking pictures. After taking a short hike through the middle of the azaleas we headed back down the main trail. The people taking the ropeway down had a 40 minute wait so we were glad to be walking rather than taking the ropeway.
No doubt I will not climb this mountain for another year. However, when the middle of next May comes around I plan to again head this way. Every mountian has its special points-Mt. Kongo with its snow and frozen trees, Mt. Makio with its rock faces, and Mt. Yamato Katsuragi with its azaleas.
I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 12:7 "For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." We are each given different gifts and are each special in God's sight. PTL
投稿者 bethany : 2007年05月23日 10:27
トラックバック
このエントリーのトラックバックURL:
http://www.bethanyjp.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/109