Springtime Surf

Here are a few random pics from the past few weeks. We have had some good surf recently, but I have been a bit more focused on surfing than shooting photos.






These above 2 are from PK, or Komamba, which has been firing about once a week in between flat spells. You can either sit up top and catch the right that peels off the tetrapods (and most likely get burned - 1st photo) or sit inside and get the more hollow waves that swing inside (2nd photo), just have to make sure to kick out before impaling yourself on the tetra-shorepound.

Sho-hei hits the lip during a midday skate sesh along an endless concrete left bowl.



Spring time, its finally warm enough to get back on the bike to scout out local sandbars. Looking right (top photo) and to the left (bottom photo) from the bike trail.

Mafuji Hike 真富士山

Another hike from a couple weeks ago, late March. This mountain is called Mafuji (not The Mt. Fuji) and starts up in the hills behind Shizuoka city. After a steep 30 min drive up a one lane road from the Abekawa river, we parked the car and basically hiked straight up the rest of the mountain through the trees and a creek bed. Once at the top of the ridge there are 2 separate peaks with great views of Mount Fuji and the Suruga Bay.

More green tea fields along the Abekawa river valley on the drive up to the trailhead.

View from the trail through the trees.

There was still some snow on the ground as we were up at about 4,500 feet, making for a slippery climb. I received a few funny looks from other fellow hikers because I was only wearing shorts, luckily I have hairy legs.




Trail marker.


Once at the top there were great views of Mt Fuji and the surrounding area.





Maybe when the snow melts we will tackle the real Mt. Fuji.

Hakkosan Hike

Even though CNN's Anderson Cooper was telling me I would certainly die if I stepped outside, we made it out for a hike up to the top of Hakkosan mountain yesterday. With everything going on here in Japan it was nice to get away from the tv and the coast for a little while.

Again, asking for directions from the locals to find the trailhead.

Our prefecture, Shizuoka, is famous for tea. Near the coast all you see are rice fields, but once you get into the hills and mountains there are rows and rows of tea leaves.



Japanese ceder trees (i think) cover the mountain here. Easy to get lost in.

Slow shutter pan shots from inside the forest.





The top of the mountain is over 800m, supposed to take 2 hours but it took us about 2.5, all uphill. Almost to the top is this clear cut area, looks like the mountain side was shaved by a giant razor.


Lost in the tea fields on the mountain.


On a related note, we have been watching the news about the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant everyday. We are still OK down here in Shizuoka prefecture, well to the southwest of the quake, tsunami, and power plant. We are keeping the people in the Tohoku area affected by the quake, tsunami and power plant in our thoughts. I have never been up to that area but from what I hear it is similar to central CA with a lot of beautiful coastline, fishing towns and tons of local surfers, all affected by the tsunami. Ganbatte Nihon!

earthquake

Had a lot of emails from everyone, figured I would post on here to let everyone know we are safe here in Japan. Most of the damage was way up to the north of us and we just caught some leftover shaking and smaller tsunamis, not enough to damage anything. Keep you all posted.

CALIFORNIA 3

^ Ventura County Secret Left.... aka Hobsons

C-Street in the morning.







^ Tanks


The Doc and his Speed Machine



Rincon

Surfline

Thanks to Bird for pointing out that Surfline ran a shot of me surfing from the same day I took the "California 2" photos. Unfortunately they couldn't identify me from my patented frontside tube squat.

CALIFORNIA 2