万年山 - Hane-yama

万年山 (はねやま), 1140m, in a word, not that exciting during the mid February mist. Too early wake up, 2 hour train ride, almost an hour wait, and finally 45 minute bus trip - all this before reaching the track's vague base. Doesn't sound fun but like every time, again mountain proved worth climbing.


An empty chestnut shell in frost. Having now climbed three mountains in conditions ideal for ducks and other water animals, I came to realize that, no matter what, a mountain is always beautiful. Whether outside is icy, rainy, foggy, sunny, cold or warm, a mountain is comely and pleases the climber's mind. Wow, getting somewhat philosophical here.


Back to Hane-yama. From the base 2 two hours is needed to reach the flattish, bamboo-grass covered peak. A paved road leads almost all the way up to the very end, from where the path becomes only slightly steeper. In the summer its a nice 3 to 4 hour day walk, I reckon.

Finding one's way to Bungomori（豊後森、ぶんごもり）train station isn't a challenge, but from there on the bus connections may be somewhat annoying. When inquired about the bus stop at track base the bus driver got confused not knowing where to drop me off. Nevertheless, accessing this land mass by public transportation is not a problem.

Here, impressions along the way:


Spooky things deep in the forest. Can you guess what they're for? Thousands of shiitake mushrooms, which are the pride of Oita prefecture, grow on the the crossed tree trunks.


The flattest peak I've so far encountered.


Haneyama's photo-front.


...And it's very peak. Yep, I missed the view.