Salomon's shoes have been extremely popular recently, and they have just relocated and reopened their Shibuya store, with the accompanying event also a huge success, showing no signs of slowing down
Event Report
They are hosting a wonderful event called HIKE&CLEAN UP, where participants will hike Mount Takao while cleaning up the area, and I thought it would be fun to experience it from the same perspective as the participants, so I decided to drop by
https://salomon.jp/a/archives/events/3700
On the morning of the day, we arrived at Mt. TAKAO BASE CAMP (hereinafter referred to as Takao Base).
It is a multi-purpose facility that is based on the concept of a mountain hut at the foot of Mount Takao, serving as the entrance to the mountain, and is also a cafe, accommodation facility, and a place that continues to promote mountain lifestyle and culture, planning and running various events
This time, the event will be a collaborative project with Salomon, featuring a clean-up hike that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and a mountain cooking experience that teaches the importance of not bringing trash into the mountains, which were originally proposed and planned by Takao Base as one of its activities.
Shortly after we arrived, the participants began to gather one after another, and since all of the participants this time gave their permission to show their faces, we will be sending you an honest report
The event has already been bustling with many participants
Normally, rental items are charged, but this time, as a special offer, you can borrow Salomon shoes for free (!)
I think most of the participants rented Salomon shoes to try out on Mt. Takao. We received feedback on the shoes, which I'll talk about later
This time's rental shoes include other models as well as a variety of shoes from other companies
You can usually rent backpacks too
Anyway, I digress a bit. I was surprised to find out that there is a Mr. Ogawa who works at Fullmarks and has been helping me out with other events at the facility! He has just returned from an overseas expedition. The expedition was so amazing that he just climbed two 6000m and two 8000m peaks!
I was surprised to bump into him and was also relieved that he had returned safely. On that day, four events were being held simultaneously within the facility, making it a very lively place. It's time to head back to the main track
Since this is a cleanup hike, each person is given a brightly colored bag and tongs engraved with the altitude of Mount Takao, making them the unsung heroes
And lunch at the top of the mountain!
Takao Base manager Kato explained that FOR EARLY BIRDS lunches are served in Hydro Flask lunch jars . This is in line with the project's aim to reduce waste in the mountains as much as possible, and is based on the concept of recycling lunches. For more information, please click here: https://forearlybirds.jp/
And to Kato's right is Itabashi, the initiator of the project from Salomon, and these two invite him into the world of Mount Takao cleanup hiking
Salomon Itabashi will hand over the lunch box and cutlery to you, and you'll have to wait until lunchtime to find out what's inside!
Before we left, we all gave a brief self-introduction
Let's go!
After leaving Takao Base, we first head towards Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line
We just left Takao Base, but it's already started
Even the smallest piece of trash will be caught as soon as it comes into view, and your sharp eyes will not miss it
I arrived at Takaosanguchi Station and walked through, but there was an incredible amount of people there. Mount Takao is incredibly popular!
There were so many people it felt like I was walking down Takeshita Street in Harajuku, and depending on the time, there may even be more people than there.The event was also held during a good time when the leaves were starting to change color
If you continue walking towards the cable car station, you will find the Salomon Takaosan store right next to you! The staff will be happy to greet you with a smile
Since we were there, we decided to take a commemorative photo in front of the store! However, the group that came first left quickly, so only the latecomers were there
This time, there was a camera expert among the participants, so we took some photos as needed. I thought maybe they didn't need me to take photos (wry smile), but I'm grateful for that
The cafe next door in the same building as Salomon is also related to Takao Base, so we stopped by to say hello
The menu is packed with tempting dishes and it's very tempting (lol), but I have to resist the temptation as I think of the lunch I'll have at the top of the mountain. Besides, the clean-up and hike-up has only just begun!
As soon as we left Salomon Cafe, we met up with the group that had started earlier, took roll call, and then started climbing Mt. Takao. The route this time was suggested by Mr. Kato from Takao Base
Kiyotaki Station (Route 6) → Biwataki Junction → Kasumidai → Otokozaka → Stupa → Yakuoin Temple → Summit → (Route 4) → Takaosan Cable Car Station → Konpiradai (Konpiradai Course) → Ochiai!
The section of Trail 6 that branches off from Biwa Falls midway up to join Trail 1 (Kasumidai), and the section on the descent from Konpiradai to Ochiai are little-known hidden gems
As I have only properly hiked this area once before, from the base of Mt. Takao to Mt. Jinba, I will be following closely
First, hike and clean up Route 6!
Well, when we are searching with such a large force, the enemy catches it properly, so there is no trash left for me, who is currently a latecomer (wry smile)
Also, considering the amount of people on Mount Takao, there is far less trash
We head smoothly towards Biwa Falls
Please note that Route 6 is a one-way road during certain periods and times
We walk along a mountain path that becomes a little steeper
It looks like we have arrived at Biwa Falls
This was my first visit, but I found a place called Biwataki Waterfall Training Hall where people were doing waterfall training. I couldn't see what was going on, but I could hear voices coming from below the falls
Leaving Biwa Falls behind, we head uphill
From here to Kasumidai it was a fairly steep climb and we had to look for trash, so it was a fairly physically demanding section. The early summer weather made it seem as though the fresh greenery was dazzling, even though it was autumn, which made it even more physically demanding
I got the impression that I was about halfway through at this point
The hike and cleanup went smoothly
It seems we have arrived at a calm spot with a nice view
The participants were so pleased with the beautiful view that they had time to take photos
Something I noticed while accompanying them this time was that normally the higher you climb, the more tired you get, and it's fine when you start to see signs of fatigue, but since this was an event involving Salomon, there were a lot of trail runners and there were no problems with physical strength, and on top of that, for some reason... maybe it was because of the act of picking up trash, but everyone's expressions were getting better and better than they would on a normal mountain climb; it was a mysterious effect, or perhaps something was purifying them
Anyway, I rejoined the main road with many tourists, and it was amazing (lol)
With so many normal(?) tourists mixed in, you'd think there'd be a lot of trash... but sure enough, there wasn't much trash, inversely proportional to the number of people. Even when we tried hard to look down, there wasn't much
While I was doing this, I came to the fork in the road between Onnazaka and Otokozaka and headed towards Otokozaka
Turn right along the way
Go through the bitter gate
This section is short but the road is narrow so be careful
The top of the climb is the stupa
Right in front of you is a hidden spot for viewing autumn leaves!
Kato from Takao Base says this is a nice place with not many people around
It was a little early but still beautiful
This will also help your photography
After passing through this hidden autumn foliage spot, we head to Yakuoin Temple
This is a fascinating karinto that can only be purchased here! I was really intrigued by the pear flavor
The autumn leaves around here were also beautiful
Backlighting is also good
Going through Yakuo-in Temple and walking along the boardwalk,
Final sprint of the first half!
We arrived at the summit of Mount Takao! ...But everyone was smiling wryly at the sheer number of people there, the largest number of people we'd ever seen. Of course, we were part of that crowd too
And it was such a beautiful day
Mount Fuji is the only thing that doesn't show its face, which is a shame
When it seemed like we might not be able to secure enough space at the summit as planned, a participant who was familiar with Mount Takao guided us to a hidden spot a little further down, and we were able to successfully secure space for lunch
Now, let's open the lunch jar! It's filled with delicious looking side dishes! And underneath, you can see chicken rice, which is perfectly seasoned and delicious! It's sure to warm your tired body
As everyone silently ate their lunch, it was clear that everyone agreed how delicious it was
The autumn leaves above the rest area are quite soothing
Now that we've recharged our energy and are feeling motivated again, we head into the second half of the race
On the way back, we will go down the slightly more niche Route 4
There are some narrow sections, so please be considerate when going up and down the road
Of course, cleanup is essential, and as participants gather around the trash and even start making deductions, it's clear that the world we see can change with just a change in consciousness.In fact, all the participants said that the trash seemed to be the main point
A photo taken at the suspension bridge, one of the highlights of Trail 4
Then it rejoins Route 1
Once again, I was surprised by the number of people there, it never stopped
Continue straight and pass by the cable car lift station
And if you deviate from Route 1 again,
The last highlight of this trip was Konpiradai. The ginkgo trees had a beautiful color and the scenery was also beautiful
From there, go down and at the last fork, instead of returning to Route 1, turn left and head towards Ochiai
This was the most mountain trail-like road I had ever taken, and I thought I had finally started climbing! But then I was on my way down (wry smile)
Once you get to this point, you'll see that there are very few other hikers passing by, making it a route that only a few people know about
The very last section near the exit is a bit tricky, and you have to proceed carefully between fallen trees and mud
Yes, we've made it down the mountain! It's a moment of relief
However, it's a clean-up until we reach Takao Base
We didn't miss any trash until the very end, and in fact there was actually more trash on this normal road section
Yes, the hike and cleanup is complete! It took about 5 hours
Finally, Salomon Itabashi will give the closing remarks. Everyone looks happy!
I've been saying that there isn't much trash, but we still managed to collect this much trash. I dream of the day when there will be zero trash in these bags
Here we would like to introduce some comments from Takao Base's Kato and Salomon's Itabashi
・ Mt. TAKAO BASE CAMP Manager Motoko Kato
The clean-up hike itself has been organized by Takao Base and has been held regularly once a month for several years. Until now, the test shoes that Salomon offered at Takao Base were for trail running, but since last year they have also started stocking hiking shoes. There was talk of holding a hiking event, so we proposed to include a clean-up as well, and this event was held
Takao Base is a mountain hut and base camp at the foot of Mount Takao, and we spread the word about the joy of the mountains. However, at the same time as having fun, we also want to cherish the love and cherishing of the mountains together with the people who gather here. With that in mind, we hold a clean-up hike every month as a free event
The FOR EARLY BIRDS bento boxes we proposed this time are a reusable bento environmental recycling project that originated from cleanup activities on Mount Takao, and Takao Base has been involved in it since the beginning. Using fresh, locally produced ingredients contributes to regional revitalization, and advance reservations reduce food waste. While reducing the amount of waste brought to the mountain, a portion of sales is earmarked for environmental conservation funds such as cleanup activities. This system allows for fun, delicious, original bento boxes to be enjoyed in nature, helping to maintain the beauty and sustainability of our beloved nature
This time, under the beautiful autumn sky, we were able to fully enjoy the beauty of nature, and I believe that we were able to share with all the participants a desire to cherish this environment. If Salomon shoes and clothing continue to accompany us when we go out into nature with that same feeling, I believe this event will be a great success
・From Salomon Itabashi Reika
This was our first-ever "Mt. TAKAO HIKE & CLEAN UP" event.
The reason for planning this was to help people appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the mountains through the cleanup and to keep them clean so they can continue to enjoy them forever.
I personally enjoy the mountains, doing things like trail running and hiking
, and it's a place I'm grateful for. While I often find litter on the ground while trail running, it bothers me.
While small pieces of trash can be picked up while running, larger pieces cannot be picked up. I wanted to encourage people who enjoy the mountains to be more conscious of not littering.
Hoping to increase awareness, even just a little, I decided to hold this event.
Furthermore, we decided to collaborate with Takao Base, which rents Salomon shoes and backpacks, and which also hosts a monthly cleanup of Mt. Takao.
・Thoughts after actually participating
This was my first cleanup, and what I felt when I went was that although there wasn't as much trash as I expected, "there was more trash that had fallen on the ground without people noticing than trash that had been thrown away intentionally."
In busy areas, trash was often found on the side of the road, under benches near restaurants, and on slopes that were difficult to reach.
There was plastic bottles and other items, but there was also trash with torn bags and pieces of shoe soles that had fallen off.
I thought that the torn pieces of bags might have fallen out even if people had intended to put them away, and I realized that it is important to create a place to put trash so that food trash doesn't fall off when I go trail running.
The soles of the shoes probably deteriorated and peeled off after not being worn for a while, but even if it wasn't intentional, I think it's something that should be taken home as your own.
This time, participants were also asked to bring their own "lunch boxes" to eat during the cleanup.
The lunch boxes were reusable, based on the concept of not bringing waste into the mountains, so unlike plastic lunch boxes, they don't produce any waste.
While it's important not to throw away trash, it reminded me that we need to be more conscious of not bringing or producing trash, not just in the mountains, but in our everyday lives as well.
Many of the participants were participating in a cleanup for the first time, but we heard from them that this event had inspired them to change their attitude toward waste.
While we can't change everyone's mindset, we hope that our activities will gradually increase awareness.
You both leak
And the Salomon shoes that supported this activity. Nicknamed Akkun, representing the participants, gave this review, including my thoughts on it
a trail runner
, I have always been interested in mountain cleanup activities as a way of giving back to the mountains. I also wanted to try on Salomon shoes, which are suitable for hiking, and experience the difference between them and trail running shoes.
participating in the event
. I was able to experience the mountains in a different way than when I normally run in the mountains on a trail run, and it was a lot of fun. Compared to trail running, the amount of information I received was overwhelmingly greater, and I made many new discoveries and noticed not only the presence of trash, but also the vegetation, terrain, views, and the behavior of people passing by, and I felt a sense of oneness with the mountains and a deeper understanding of them.
The opportunities and quantity of conversations with fellow hikers were far greater than when running trails, which made it even more enjoyable. Trail running is fun, but from now on I'll also try hiking from time to time.
Making the garbage bags visible is a great idea! They catch the eye of passing hikers. → I wonder what those people are doing? → They're picking up trash with tongs! → We have to try not to drop trash either! I felt like it was also part of an easy-to-understand educational campaign for reducing waste.
The lunches prepared for this event were also incredibly delicious!
The chicken rice bento, packed in a returnable jar, was slightly warm when I ate it, and it looked and tasted amazing
, satisfying my rumbling stomach after the clean hike. I would definitely like to participate again if I have the time, as a way of giving back to the mountains.
My thoughts on the shoes I borrowed: X ULTRA 360 EDGE GORE-TEX.
They have a stylish design and look good for everyday wear. When I put my feet in, they felt like they were one with my feet, and when I walked, I felt stable and protected, making them easy to walk in.
Recently, I've been feeling a bit of pain in the top of my right foot every time I walk, and it had gotten worse during my run the day before, so I was worried about walking up the mountain that day. However, when I put on the borrowed shoes and walked, the pain went away and I was able to walk comfortably without any pain until the end. Even in the muddy areas towards the end, the shoes had a good grip and I was able to descend with confidence. I think these are a great pair of shoes for mountain hiking. I like them
I'm very pleased that it was a very satisfying and fulfilling day
What did you think of the HIKE & CLEAN UP event, a collaboration between Takao Base and Salomon?
It's nice to just climb a mountain, but if you change your mindset a little, the world you see will change, and if a beautiful satoyama awaits you up there, then this activity definitely has meaning, and if this message reaches the people who are just watching from the sidelines, it will change the town of Takao as well. I don't know when that will happen, but I feel like I was able to help make that happen. And I think that small step is connected to the fact that there was surprisingly little trash in the mountains of Mount Takao that I walked this time
Salomon official website https://salomon.jp/
Mt.TAKAO BASE CAMP https://takaobc.com/
yans
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