The pandemic interrupted my hiking journey, including my pursuit of climbing Hyakumeizan or 100 mountains in Japan, leaving my Earl staying at 33 since November 2019.
“Return of the World” began in Kyushu, the host of my earliest Hyakumeizan trip in 2016-17. In fact, I climbed three mountains in Kyushu on a trip: Kuhao, Kirishima, and Kaimon, but was unable to climb Aso, closed during volcanic activity, and Mount Sobo seems to have been so far. Fortunately, since then, Mount Aso has reopened and I have no time to visit, accompanied by my Tokyo friend Jeion Paguio.
From Kumamoto, we took the train to JR ASO station, stayed in a nearby hotel, and took the bus the next day Furubochu Trail Head Climbing the mountain Aso. Starting the hike from 0755h, we were immediately seen by Azaleas in Bloom! The rest of the hike is through volcanic gravel, and the steam rising from the surrounding craters is visible. By 0938h, we were 1506 meters Nakadake Peak By 0959, we were on the top of the mountain and were called Takak Mountainrising to 1592 MASL.
From the summit, it was a quick drop back to the trail head Mountain Sobo.
