The Trail Less Rushed: 150 Hikes
Quietly, last month I marked a major milestone: my 150th hiking trail guide on RIDGELINEIMAGES.com! Over the past 12 years, creating these trail guides has been a labour of love. While they make up less than half of the blog posts on the site, they’re what Ridgeline Images is best known for.
Though 150 hikes in 12 years might seem modest—about one per month—40% (59) are multi-day adventures, ranging from 2 to 9 days. A more telling metric is the number of actual hiking days, which totals nearly 250, including well over 150 nights spent camping. The multi-day adventures have been the most enjoyable and have truly helped me earn my hiking stripes. Not only do they offer a chance to disconnect from screens and the pressures of daily life, but multi-day hikes also provide unmatched challenges and rewards. Waking up to breathtaking views (often without the crowds) and enjoying starry night skies are experiences you simply can’t have in the city. Add to that the comfort of being snug in a warm sleeping bag, listening to the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops on the tent fly.
As I’ve mentioned before, I post these reports as much for my own enjoyment as for anyone else’s. I see them as a kind of journal, but sharing them with a wider audience feels far more rewarding than leaving them in a dusty drawer. For one, knowing I’ll be writing about my adventures later makes me pay closer attention to my surroundings. More importantly, the comments, private messages, and encouragement from those who follow in my footsteps encourage me to keep plugging away.
The reality is, if no one shared their hiking experiences—whether through Yamareco, Yamap, YouTube, or blogging—we’d all be poorer for it. I’d also encourage others to share their hiking journeys in some shape or form.
Above all, I hope this inspires you, the reader, to get out there and try some new hikes—whether it’s a quick day trip, a weekend getaway, or a longer multi-day epic. The hardest part is often just getting started, and things won’t always go as planned. But wouldn’t you rather have a life full of stories and adventures than one filled with regrets and missed opportunities?
Favourite Multi-Day Hike:
Southern Alps Traverse
Favourite Day Hike:
Mt. Naeba
Favourite Overnighter:
Mt. Nyoho
Hardest Day Hike:
Mt. Hiragatake
Thanks for all the information you’ve put out, David. It really has helped me and made my life easier. I forgot how much of a challenge hiking in Japan was in the beginning. I’ve come to take for granted being able to go places and do things that would have baffled me a few years ago.
Hey Pat,
I’m glad to hear that the information on the blog made a difference! Getting acquainted with the lay of the land takes time, but you’re an old hand at it now. Likewise, it’s always good reading about your latest adventures.
From another Japanese mountains-obsessed Oz henna gaijin, congratulations David, an excellent milestone!
I’ve watched your site bloom over the years as your own hiking objectives have expanded and matured. While I know it has been a personal labour of love for you, I am sure you have inspired many to share that love. Thank you.
Thanks, Stewart, and fellow mountain-mad gaijin! It’s motivating to hear that the site has hopefully helped inspire others. I’ve definitely learned a lot along the way. As always, I appreciate the support—here’s to more mountain adventures!
I’ve been following along for a year now, and your guides have been really helpful. Thank you for sharing your love of Japanese mountains.
I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the site! It’s really great to hear that the information I share is helping others.
Congrats on the milestone, Dave. As you say, it’s more about the total number of days hiking out there in nature that counts, eh?
Cheers, Stuart! Yes, that’s how I tend to see it too—just counting the number of hikes can be a bit misleading.
Congrats and I look forward to the next 150.
I started hiking this year and your site has been a great help.
Thanks for that, Mike! Great that you’ve caught the hiking bug. Exploring the mountains around Tokyo is surely one of the best things for folks like us living in the city.
Congratulations David! Really enjoy your hikes, photos, and most of all your good advice on all things hiking. Looking forward to the next 10 years, Thank you!
Thank you, Phil! I appreciate your kind words and support. I enjoy sharing my hikes and experiences, and it’s good to hear you’ve found them helpful.
Hi Dave, keep up your fantastic posts. Not a day goes by where I don’t dream of my next trip to go tramping in Japan. You’re an inspiration (and I’m somewhat envious of your Nihon hiking life!) I’m putting together my Southern Alps traverse, July 2025, as well as a wee skedaddle across the Mt Haku massif. Cheers,Syefan
Hi Stefan, thanks so much for your comment. Japan’s mountains have a way of calling us back, don’t they? Your Southern Alps traverse sounds awesome, and pairing it with a jaunt across the Hakusan massif is such a great combo. July will be perfect for those areas. I’d love to hear how your plans come together—feel free to reach out if you want any tips. Cheers, Dave
Congrats David. That’s a huge achievement!
apart from great reading and photos I’m sure your posts have benefited plenty of hikers too.
Here’s to 150 more.
Thanks a lot, Greg! It’s been a fun journey getting here. Hopefully, there are still a few more left in the old legs!
I’d like to add my thanks too for the magnificent reference resource that your blog has become. But there’s more: we’ve both noticed a gentle resurgence of blogging about the Japanese mountains in recent years in English and other European languages, and I’m sure that Ridgeline Images has helped to inspire that….
Many thanks, PH, and thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments over the years. I’ve noticed this resurgence as well, and it’s certainly great to see. Having more information out there definitely makes life easier for those planning and embarking on their own hikes.