For the first time in my life I was living within walking distance of snow-covered mountains.

Of course that meant my weekends in Japan became fully booked from the moment I arrived.

Here's the proof that heaven sits just above the clouds. This was one of those "WOW" moments when time stands still. This is the view from a little way up Ibukiyama. Its not a very big mountain even by Japanese standards, and its about as technical as going to buy a new carabiner. I was living in the strip of towns you can see below and to the left (in the famous Sekigahara actually). The lake over to the right is Biwa.

This is from a little higher as the sun sets behind Lake Biwa and I start to wonder if it was such a smart idea to be nearly at the summit as it is getting dark.

Well, it was still a bit light so I ran (as near to it as is possible in crampons without killing myself) up the last gentle incline to the summit to find this temple (?) of icing-sugar. ...admired the view for a bit, scoffed some chocolate whilst drying not to inhale the spindrift and, Oh Oh! ...it is dark and somewhat cold up here. The lights of the town seem an awful long way away.

But, after the agonizing thaw of my hands and a can of hot green tea from a mountain-side vending machine at the ski-lifts I was set for the walk home (and wondering what was down the other side of Ibukiyama and when I'd be able to get there).

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