Camping in Primeval Forest of Fuji

fujita yuji · Jul 5, 2009

Hi, all.
It's been a little while since I posted about field of Japan.
Today, I visited one of my favorite field, stayed over a night and returned.
It's primeval forest of Mt. Fuji, the northern west part of it's foot slope.
Let me show you my favorite field this time.

This is the campsite. The forest grown over the lava field of Fuji that almost
everywhere is very rocky and not a single patch can be found to place tents;
except for this place.
Filled with birds voice including narcissus flycatcher, goldcrest, blue-and-white flycatcher,
varied tit, White's Thrush.

Fungi

Gall

Tiny spider web

This time, we made some smoked food. Very well finished bacon.

but more to come...
Thanks for looking.

bobbywett · Jul 5, 2009

fujita yuji,

That is a beautiful setting for an overnight camping/smoking expedition. I love your photography of the local flora and I'm sure the sounds from the birds was lovely. But, your photo's of the smoker and the savory bacon were uncalled for....they nearly sent my taste buds into cardiac arrest....ha ha.

Great Post!

fujita yuji · Jul 5, 2009

As this forest has grown on the lava slope, there are many lava cave in this forest.
They are *VERY* exciting to visit.
We visited relatively easy one this time. But it's exciting enough as you see.

the roof of the cave looks like this. Lava once melted by water and formed
lava stalactite, a very delicate and quite beautiful structure.

The inside of the cave is very cold, about water freezing level, even in mid summer.
You can see icicle hanging from the roof.

and reverse icicle on the floor.
These ice are grown up very slowly that they have quite unique crystal structure.

At night, a leech came out to join us

There lives some fireflies in this forest and we could see them this time.
It was quite amazing but they belong to different spice from the one I posted before
and their flashing is quite small. So I have no photo of fireflies this time, sorry.

I've got a new headlamp this time, a Petzl e+lite.
This is quite a unique product and for me it was quite useful, especially
it's red light feature.

And finally some blade shots

Used mostly for food preparation. Opinel belongs to a buddy of mine.

This is how I carry a knife these days. The sheath hang on cross-draw position from a carabinar attached to a sling running around my waist .

The blade.

Thank you very much for looking.
With best regards.

Rotte · Jul 5, 2009

Great post. (And nice knife too!)

North · Jul 5, 2009

Thanks for sharing all the pictures! It looks like a very interesting place and a great trip.

Bill

dipbait · Jul 5, 2009

Id like to see that place. Very cool. Nice knife too.

BlackHills · Jul 5, 2009

Cool pics...thanks. I bet the caves are very interesting.

azshaman · Jul 5, 2009

Beautiful place and great pictures! Thank you!

I agree, though, the bacon was over the top...hmmm...bacon....

boness · Jul 5, 2009

Very Cool ! Thanks for sharing

mneedham · Jul 5, 2009

Fuji,

Awesome pics, thank you!

AF · Jul 5, 2009

Excellent photos :thumbup:

j williams · Jul 5, 2009

I always enjoy your pics brother.... Thanks for posting!

kage · Jul 5, 2009

Fujita-san,

Those are amazing pics as usual! Great job with the smoker. Could you please give us more details about it? Is it home made? Is the cardboard just there as a wind break or is part of the system?

Also, if it's not a secret, where is the forest and caves at? I'm sorry that I no longer live in Japan because I would absolutely love to visit that spot!

Thanks for sharing.

Big Mike · Jul 5, 2009

Good stuff my friend. :thumbup:

:thumbup:

It looks like you've got a great spot there.

Big Mike

Scaring the tree huggers.

Forest & Stream

tonym · Jul 5, 2009

Its easy to see why that is one of your favorite spots!!

Thanks for sharing the great pics!

bindlestitch · Jul 5, 2009

Great stuff, Fuji.:thumbup:

sasha · Jul 5, 2009

Awsome forest pics... I love the way the light plays between the trees. That spider web shot Is great. Now about the smoker what else was in there beside the bacon??? I can see a small stove at the bottom. What did you use for the smoke??? For some reason i got craving for smoked trout.

Sasha

DOC-CANADA · Jul 5, 2009

Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Since that is a lava field, is there much obsidian around?

Doc

TheGame · Jul 5, 2009

Cool pics! Thanks for sharing!

tenkara · Jul 5, 2009

MMMMM. Smoked Pork... seriously Fujitasan. I would love to come and visit one day. My mother actually grew up in Kamakura. I managed to climb Fujiyama in 1990. Unfortunately, I spent most of my time there enjoying city life. It would seem that I missed quite a bit!