Day two of my hike up Sennokuro-san was greeted with clear skies and calm air. My first task upon rising was to descend 100 meters down the valley to access a natural spring and collect my drinking water for the day. A quick breakfast and I'm off. The day was spent following the ridge line as it gained and lost altitude and connected me with my goal. In the far distance I could see the summit I was after, but I could also see the clouds rolling in from the Gunma side of the range. Their slow lumbering progress mimicked my own, and it was a foot race to see who would conquer the summit first. Unfortunately, I reached the summit just as the clouds enveloped the peak. All I could see was blues skies above and a white abyss below. "Shoganai" ("that's life" in Japanese).
- 1 min read
Sennokuro-san Summit
Day two of a two day hike

By C. Rio
Community writer

Looking down into Niigata (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Up at first light to get some water (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

The valley below still full of snow (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Morning dew (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Delux accomodation (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Mountain climbing snail (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Sennokuro with the clouds rolling in (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Blue above and white below (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Fellow hiker taking a rest at the top (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Over the ridge and on the way down (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)
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