Category: Plan

Beyond the Narrow Road to the Deep North

I’m drawn to places at the end of train lines. Today, my backpack and I head to Wakkanai in the north of Hokkaido. It’s as far north as you can go without entering Russia. Until about 150 years ago, Hokkaido was almost completely wilderness. The indigenous Ainu were able to live somewhat traditional lives while under…… Continue reading Beyond the Narrow Road to the Deep North

Mirepoix

I like to cook from scratch, but some days I simply want to assemble previously cooked ingredients. The solution is to have a selection of “subassembly” ingredients in the freezer. I’ve written about one of these ingredients: stock. Another is mirepoix. Mirepoix is the “holy trinity” of two parts onion and one part each of…… Continue reading Mirepoix

My Kagoshima: Kirishima Volcanic Group Practicalities

From Karakunidake. There’s nothing like a decent hike after a long series of flights. I previously posted how to get from Kagoshima Airport to a hotel on the edge of the Kirishima Volcanic Group of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park. The hourly bus from the airport takes you to the Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel in 47 minutes. If you arrive…… Continue reading My Kagoshima: Kirishima Volcanic Group Practicalities

Heavy Rain

A good day to be indoors planning October hikes.

Categorized as Plan

Plotting Trails

Prepared for October hikes: plotted trails, created GPS track files, printed 1:25,000 paper maps (as backup).

Categorized as Plan