We literally died for a few hours. Salome slept. Some re adjusted gear. Some changed clothes. Bill and John walked to the post office and sent some post cards home. I was going to go, but it was further up hill so I sat down on the ground and took another nap in the sun. After resting my muscles hurt, I could not straighten at the hip nor put my heels down. I had to work it out and stretch before the decent.
It was time to head down. We started at about 8:45am. Imagine snowshoeing through deep loose gravel. We skated down on top of the loose gravel, leading with our heels. We have geared if you lead with your toes, which is what you naturally want to do, you will loose toenails.
There was no rain, so the ash and gravel dust just engulfed us. We were covered with in mins. The trail was a different trail down. It zigzagged back and forth down the mountain. We moved very rapidly. I had to go to the bathroom so I had motivation. The bathroom at the top was so disgusting. I have never been in a more vile bathroom. And men and women shared it. The men's urinals were Ruth at the front where women waited in line. Then the bathroom for women were squatty potties. After 8 hr os hiking, squatting was not easy. I kept saying don't touch anything, don't touch anything. And after I left, I vowed I would not use it again. I knew there was a bathroom half way down.
Covered in dirt, sore beyond belief and tired we made our way down. I won the prize for falling the most. But I was graceful and did not really get hurt. Bill and Jeff fell and got scraped up. Taren fought her bad knee giving out. And John twisted his ankle. In record time we made it to the bottom. The last half of the trail was a straight path directly across the mountain and through a cloud. It was very cool, both awesome and temperature wise.
There was a group riding horses on this part of the mountain. You really had to watch out for horse poop. I was constantly looking down and watching my footing. I walked straight into a hose head on. The rider yelled at me. I figured he should be looking out too. We were in a cloud for peets sake.
We made it to the base in 2hrs 30mins. Next was to catch a bus. I have a picture of how dirty we were, but it is in Bills camera, I'll post it later. While waiting for the bus we all took a baby wipe bath. The guys looked as if they had on eye liner.
The bus ride back was packed. I got a seat. But Jeff and Taren say on the floor and Bill and John stood. Everyone on the bus was asleep. It was funny to watch everyone fall over and jolt awake. We made it back to the train station an we retraced our path back to the hotel. It took us until 4pm before we got home.
Now that I am off the mountain, I can say it was an experience. I am not sure I would say good. When we crosse the top step Bill asked how I felt and I literally almost cried. I quickly answer, "I made it." I was so glad to be at the top and be done with the hike. I am glad I did it, but this was my first, last and only mountain I will climb. I maybe recovering for quite some time. But something I can look back and say I accomplished a great feat. And be proud Bill and I made it to the top of Mt. Fuji!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment