A clear morning at 5am so scrambled to getting the start of the Yotei track by 6:30. Up, up, up... 10 stages (Japan mountaineering style), 1500 vertical meters, 4 hours up virtually nonstop.... Thick bamboo at the bottom, through muddy slides and rocks, gnarled tree roots and stunted thickets to open scree above the tree line. Amazing views until it clouded over near the top - ferocious wind and swirling cloud with little visibility. A great experience....

Great ride around Mt Yotei today 55km - after a night of thunderstorms the rain eased into a perfect day with Yotei clothed in her emerald robes of jungle above us. Stopped at a beautiful clear spring - as picturesque as a Japanese etching- through the potato fields and sunflowers, and small villages. As scenic a day as you could want anywhere on the planet.