Family hike Hokyo san

This is the second (and possibly the final) update of the Family Hike scheduled for April 29 (Saturday), 2023.

The weather outlook has turned sunny!!! (mostly!)

We have the following confirmed participants

Alok,
Yuji, Aki, Yuri (12), Fumika (12) (car, directly to Oike)
Hirohito,
Yunosuke (car)
Astrid, Kenzo (5) (car, directly to Oike)
Taka (car, directly to Oike)
Ayako (car, directly to Oike)
Kotaro, Hotaka (2) (car)

We can have more participants. Let me know if you would like to join.

Reminders again: please bring lunch /snacks and drinks for yourself.

Bring rain protection wear as an emergency item.

Cub fee of 300 yen applies, except for children and drivers.

Please remember that
(1) the meeting point is the pick-up/drop-off parking (free for 20 min.) of the TX Tsukuba station, unless agreed that you will go to the hiking starting point (near Hojo Oike) directly. Departure from the Tsukuba station is at 9:30 AM.

(2) Hike starting point: Hiking Course 1, starting from the pond (Hojo Oike). The most gentle hiking course. See the map here:
https://www.city.tsukuba.lg.jp/material/files/group/110/R02_12_houkyousan_trekking_map.pdf

(3) The Parking will be the Taikan physical activities center　(point S in map above).
https://goo.gl/maps/vZyzYRsNn9hmgKA99
We will use the toilets here before setting off for walking.

See you on Saturday then! Let me know if you have any questions.

First announcement: Family Hike for April 29, 2023 (Saturday).

The hike was originally on April 8th but is now rescheduled for Saturday 29th April.
It is the first day of the Golden Week. I believe it will be a relaxed weekend and convenient to most.

To remind you: This hike is open for all ages and abilities. People with kids are especially welcome. You can write to me anytime for any consultation. And you can invite friends.

Where: Mt. Hokyo in Tsukuba

Schedule: Gathering point (for car pooling) from the Tsukuba station temporary (drop-off - pick-up) parking (free for 20 min.) by 9:30 PM. (try to arrive here by 9:20)

Hike starting point: Hiking Course 1, starting from the pond (Hojo Oike). The most gentle hiking course. See the map here:
https://www.city.tsukuba.lg.jp/material/files/group/110/R02_12_houkyousan_trekking_map.pdf

The Parking will be the Taikan physical activities center　(point S in map above).
https://goo.gl/maps/vZyzYRsNn9hmgKA99
We will use the toilets here before setting off for walking.

Families coming in cars, who will not join in the car pooling, can come directly to this parking by 10:00 AM (confirm the plan with me in advance). We plan to gather in the parking by 10 AM to start walking.

At a gentle pace, it takes about 120 min. to walk to the top. There are mountain toilets at the top.

We will have lunch (please bring with you) at the top, relax, take in the scenery, and then walk back.

Covid measures: Up to you, and the comfort of your fellow walkers. Officially there are none.

Let me know if you are interested in joining, and if you a car and can give a ride, or if you need a ride.

(in case of poor weather on Saturday, the hike may be postponed to Sunday April 9th.

I am happy to report on the Family Hike on the 29th April 2023, on what turned out to be a very fine and sunny day! The hike was originally scheduled for April 8, but had to be rescheduled because of rain.

On this day we, 10 adults and 4 kids (2 years to 12 years old), proceeded to the starting point of the hike in 6 cars (4 directly and 2 via the gathering point of TX station at 9:20 AM). We parked at the sports training center near Oda Oike (pond), gathered together and started walking at about 10 AM.

The hiking Course 1 is not only gentle, but free of any crowds. We reached the memorial just before the peak at 11:30 and decided to have a break and eat lunch.

Hotaka (2) and Kenzo (5) walked and ran along excitedly!

We proceeded to the peak at about 12:00 noon. There were many groups of people at the top, at lunch time. We took in the panoramic views. The horizon was a bit hazy due to humidity. Yuji had brought a burner, a big bottle of water and five kinds of herbal mix (non-caffeine) teas. He made tea and served us all. We decided to start descending at about 1:30 PM and reached the end point of the parking lot at about 2:30.

While going down Hotaka slept on his father's shoulders, but started running as soon as he woke up from deep sleep.

I thank all the participants for joining in and making the hike fun and exciting with conversations. (and I am sorry for some who had registered to join on the original date but could not due to rescheduling)