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街の桜があざやかな葉桜に変わり始めた4月下旬、関東百名山にも数えられる「大山（おおやま）」を舞台に、第10回目となる「and wander HIKING CLUB」が開催されました。

標高1,252mの美しい山容で、神奈川県の丹沢大山国定公園に属する「大山」は、江戸時代から庶民たちにとっての身近な山岳信仰の対象でもありました。

Around late April, when the cherry blossoms in the city had started to turn into bright leafy cherry blossoms, the 10th "and wander HIKING CLUB" was held at "Ohyama”, one of the 100 most famous mountains in Kanto area.

Ohyama, a beautiful mountain 1,252m above sea level and part of the Tanzawa Ohyama National Park in Kanagawa Prefecture, has been an object of mountain worship for ordinary people since the Edo period.

陽春という言葉がぴったりな、抜けるような青空に恵まれた当日。小田急線伊勢原駅北口に集合15分前に到着すると、参加者のみなさんがすぐに見つかりました。集合の点呼と検温をすませ、神奈川中央交通バスに乗って「大山ケーブルバス停」へ。市街地を抜けるとぐんぐんと山道を登っていきます。

30分ほどでモコモコの新緑に囲まれた「大山ケーブルバス停」に到着。トイレ休憩を挟みます。山でのトイレは「行けるときに行っておく」のが鉄則。ケーブルカーが発着する「大山ケーブル駅」までは、昔ながらの風情を感じさせてくれる旅館や土産屋、丹沢の水で作られた豆腐屋などが並ぶ駒参道を通ります。すでに開いているお土産屋さんもあり、山の朝は早いです。

The day of the event was blessed with a clear blue sky, the perfect weather for a sunny spring. We arrived at the north exit of Isehara station on the Odakyu line 15 minutes before the meeting and found all the participants immediately. After the assembly roll call and temperature check, we took the Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu bus to the “Ohyama Cable bus stop”. After passing through the city centre, we climbed up the mountain path.

After half an hour, we arrived at the “Ohyama cable bus stop”, surrounded by fuzzy fresh greenery. At first, we took a toilet break there. It is an ironclad rule to use the toilet in the mountains when you can. To get to "Ohyama Cable Station", where the cable car arrives and departs, you will pass by Koma Sando (approach to the mountain) lined with old-fashioned inns, souvenir shops and tofu shops made with water from Tanzawa. Some of the souvenir shops are already open, and mornings in the mountains are very early.

あざやかなブリリアントグリーンのケーブルカーは、小田急ロマンスカーVSEやMSEを手掛けた「岡部憲明アーキテクスチャーネットワーク」による2015年導入の新型車両。GOOD DESIGN賞も受賞しています。終点の「阿夫利神社下社」まで約６分。前面の大型曲面ガラスからはモコモコの新緑と市街地、相模湾を眼下に標高約700mの中腹までグングン登ります。

The bright brilliant green cable car was introduced in 2015 by “Noriaki Okabe Architecture Network”, the same company that created the Odakyu Romance Car VSE and MSE, and they also won the GOOD DESIGN Award. It takes about 6 minutes to reach the last stop, "Afuri Shrine Shimo-sha". The large curved glass windows on the front of the train allow you to see the fuzzy fresh greenery, the city and Sagami Bay below you as you ascend to a height of approximately 700m.

みんなが行く登山道がある「阿夫利神社下社」に到着すると、本日のリーダーである立石さんより登山中の注意事項についての説明を聞きます。登山開始まで15分。もう一度トイレに行っておいたり、ストレッチをしたり、気持ち良い緊張感が周囲を包みます。

When we arrived at the “Afuri Shrine Shimo-sha”, where the trail we will all follow is located, we listen to a briefing from our leader for the day, Mr. Tateishi, on the precautions to be taken during the climb. We have 15 minutes before the start of the climb. Some of us went for a quick visit to the toilet again and some stretching, a pleasant sense of tension surrounds us.

いよいよ登山開始。神社左手にある「下社登山口」からの階段を登り始めるのですが、のっけからとても急な階段。踏み面が浅く、後ろを振り返ると怖気づいてしまうので、ずっと前を見て登らなければいけません。ん？そうか、これからの道もしっかり前だけを向いて登るように、ということを暗示していたのでしょうか。

Finally, the climb began. We started climbing the stairs from the "Shimo-sha Trailhead" on the left-hand side of the shrine, and from the very beginning the stairs were very steep. The steps were so shallow that you had to keep looking ahead, because looking back would have been scary. Hmmm? Well, I guess it was a tip that we should have kept our eyes on the road ahead all the way today.

徐々に山の内部へ。樹々の根の間を、ごろごろ転がる石と石の間を、一歩ずつ登っていきます。時折、枝葉の間から心地よい風の音が吹きます。複雑に重なり合う枝と葉が落としてくれる涼しい日陰で休憩を取りながら、ゴクゴク。各自、水分補給です。

普段はショップで顔を合わせるお客さんとand wanderスタッフが、山の中を一緒になって登ります。あれこれ話しているのはお互いの装備について。バックパックの容量や、ウェアリング、お気に入りのディテールは好みがわかれるところですが、この日は多くの方がSALOMONのトレッキングシューズを履いていました。

Gradually we entered the mountain. Step by step, we climb between the roots of the trees, between the rolling stones. From time to time, the sound of the wind blows through the branches and leaves. We took a rest and a drink in the cool shade provided by the intricate layers of branches and leaves. Each of us needed to rehydrate.

Customers and and wander staff, who usually meet in the shop, climb together in the mountains. We talked a lot about our equipment; the backpack’s capacity, clothing, and our favourite details are a matter of taste, but on this day many of us were wearing Salomon trekking shoes.

「阿夫利神社下社」から頂上までは1丁目から28丁目まで区間があり、樹齢600年の「夫婦杉」がある8丁目はまだまだ序盤です。写真を撮りながら、ストレッチやエネルギー補給も忘れずに。

The route from the “Afuri Shrine Shimo-sha” to the top of the mountain is divided into sections from 1 to 28, with the 600 years old “Fufu sugi (married cedar)” at 8th section at the early stages of the route. Don't forget to stretch and replenish your energy while taking photos.

1時間ほど登ってくると標高もだいぶ高くなってきました。眺望が開ける場所からは遠くに江の島を見渡すことができます。ここは14丁目にある「牡丹岩」。ほぼ真ん中までやってきました。足元をよく見ると球体の岩があちこちに。いったいどうしてこんな形になったのでしょう。不思議です。

標高が上がるにつれて、足元の石が大きくなってきます。段差が大きなところでは手を使ってグイっと身体を押し上げます。登山は脚だけではなく首も腕も背中も腰も使う、全身運動です。

After an hour or so of climbing, the altitude had risen considerably. From where the view opened up, you can see Enoshima Island in the distance. This was the "Botan iwa (Peony Rock)" at 14th section. We were almost in the middle of the route. If you looked carefully, you could see spherical rocks here and there. How did they come to be like this? It is a wonder.

As the altitude rose, the stones underfoot became larger. When there were large steps, you had to use your hands to push yourself up. Climbing is a full body workout, using not only your legs, but also your neck, arms, back and hips.

下草を採食中のニホンジカに遭遇。よく見ると体躯がしっかりしています。もう立派な大人の鹿なのでしょうか。それにしても人間に慣れているのか、かなり近くても逃げません。

We came across a Japanese deer foraging in the undergrowth. If you look closely, you can see that it has a very strong body. I wonder if it was an adult deer. The deer is so used to humans that it doesn't run away from us even if we are very close.

20丁目にある「富士見台」に到着。その名の通り、雪化粧をした富士山がくっきり見渡せます。疲れた体に富士山を見ると、元気が湧いてくるから不思議です。さらに少し行くと、山桜が八分咲き。ここまで登ってきて富士に桜にと、疲れが吹き飛ぶ山景です。頂上まではもう少し。そういえばすっかりお腹もすいてきました。

We arrived at Fujimidai, which is located on the 20th section. As the name suggests, we could clearly see the snow-covered Mt. Fuji. It's amazing how the sight of Mt Fuji could cheer up a tired body. A little further on, the mountain cherry blossoms were in their eighth bloom. Fuji and the cherry blossoms, it's a view of the mountain that would have blown away our fatigue. We were almost to the top. By the way, we were getting hungry.

登山開始から約2時間が経過し、ようやく標高1.252mの大山頂上に到着。開けたスペースに移動し、お待ちかねのランチタイムです。この日のために持参したお弁当をみんなおいしそうに食べ始めました。

するとここでand wanderからドリップコーヒーのサービス。渋谷にお店を構える「PADDLERS COFFEE（パドラーズコーヒー）」が取り扱う「Stumptown Coffee Roasters（スタンプタウンコーヒーロースターズ）」の豆に、登山前に「阿夫利神社下社」で汲んできた御神水でドリップ。山好きの経験者から幾度となく聞かされてきましたが、「山で飲むコーヒー」はまさに格別でした。

主に八ヶ岳で育てられた素材をもちいて丁寧につくられたトレイル用のドライフードとして人気の「The Small Twist Trailfoods」を持参していた参加者も。お湯で戻すだけでおいしく食べられます。

After two hours of climbing, we finally reached the summit of Ohyama, 1.252m above sea level. We moved to an open space and had our long-awaited lunch. We had all brought our own lunches for the day and they looked delicious.

At this point, and wander offered a drip coffee service. The coffee was drip-fed with beans from “Stumptown Coffee Roasters”, which is sold by “PADDLERS COFFEE” in Shibuya, and with the sacred water that we collected at the “Aburi Shrine Shimo-sha” before climbing. As we have heard many times from experienced mountain lovers, "drinking coffee in the mountains" is truly exceptional.

Some participants brought "The Small Twist Trailfoods", a popular dry food for the trail, carefully made with ingredients mainly grown in Yatsugatake. The food can be rehydrated in hot water and is delicious.

ゆっくり1時間半ほど休んで、裏手にある絶景ポイントで記念撮影。自分の腕では写すことができませんでしたが、肉眼ではみなさんの後方に富士山がくっきり見えています。

After resting for an hour and a half, we took a commemorative photo at a scenic spot at the back of the summit. I couldn't capture it with my camera, but with the naked eye you could clearly see Mt Fuji behind you.

記念撮影も済んで、さぁ下山開始です。膝への負担が増す下りはトレッキングポールがあると便利。and wanderから貸し出しもあり、すっかりリフレッシュした一行は足取りも軽く、丸太階段を下っていきます。

After a few photos, we were ready to start our descent. Trekking poles are useful for the descent, which can be hard on the knees, and wander lent some poles out and the refreshed group made their way down the log staircase, their feet light on the ground.

常に目線の先に広大な景色が広がる下り。きいろ、あか、みどり、いろんな山の色があることに気が付きます。今回は唐沢峠から不動尻へ抜けるコースを2時間半かけてゆっくりと、樹林の中や、なだらかに隆起した尾根をのんびりと歩きます。

The descent, with the vastness of the landscape always in sight. You noticed that the mountains came in many colours: yellow, red and green. This time we walked slowly for two and a half hours from Karasawa Pass to Fudojiri, through the forest and along the gently rising ridges.

樹林地帯は樹々も土も同じ色で幻想的な世界です。こうして山を歩いていると、色や光の複雑さ、鳥のさえずりや風の音、苔の瑞々しさ、葉の形、土のにおいなど、あらゆる角度から五感が刺激されます。

In the cedar woodlands, the bark and soil are the same color. surface of the ground, bathed in sunlight, shines through the trees, creating a magical world. Walking through the mountains in this way stimulates the senses from every angle: the complexity of the colours and light, the chirping of birds and the sound of the wind, the freshness of the moss, the shape of the leaves and the smell of the soil.

やがて山神隧道まで下りてきたトンネルの手前でヘッドライトの貸出しが。暗闇で光を受けてリフレクションを発揮するand wanderのプロダクトに、みんなまるでアトラクションを楽しんでいるようでした。

Before we reached the Yamagami tunnel, we were given the headlamps to use. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the attraction of and wander's products, which reflect light in the dark.

最後は西日を浴びながらのんびりバス停までダウンウォーク。体いっぱいに浴びた山の楽しさの余韻に浸りながら、身体は疲れていても心は晴れ晴れ。

仲間たちと一緒に自然を楽しんだ一日。着用したウェアや持って行ったギアに愛着が宿るのがわかる気がしました。

「あの山、一緒に登ったよね」って、下山後いつでも思い出が楽しめます。

それではまた次回、お会いしましょう。

At the end of the day, we took a leisurely walk down to the bus stop in the western sun. Our bodies may have been tired, but our minds were refreshed, basking in the afterglow of the mountain fun.

A day out in nature with friends. I could see the attachment to the clothes we wore and the gear we took with us.

We can always enjoy the memories after the descent: "We climbed that mountain together, didn't we?”

We look forward to seeing you next time.