[Hiking] A Solo Mountain Walk in Search of Autumn Leaves and Ferns

Hello!
I'm Shio.

I usually go hiking mainly on low mountains in the winter.
The reason is that there are fewer bugs, so it's comfortable! 🐝

I was gauging the timing for when the season would start this year, and since the weather was nice on a day I happened to wake up early, I went for a "mountain walk."

This time, I'd like to write an article about "my own way of enjoying hiking without the goal of reaching the summit."
As always, there are lots of photos 📷

◻️ The purpose of this mountain walk

This time, I won't force myself to aim for the summit, including as a warm-up.
(I maintain my physical strength by walking as much as possible, using stairs, and occasionally running at the gym.)

It's a relaxed mountain walk where I might go to the top if my physical strength and mood match up.

And if I were to set goals, they would look like this ⬇️

Furthermore, I have a faint desire to reach the summit below that.

The reason is that the mountain I'm climbing this time is along a river, which is good for observing moss and plants, but once the riverside zone ends, it becomes a steep climb all at once and is tough!
It's especially tough before the summit, so I'll be satisfied enough if I can make it to the autumn leaves zone below that.

I like mountains, but I'm not good at the tough parts of climbing 🫠

◻️ A traffic jam of ferns at the trailhead

It seems the weather is nice today.
So, I watered the plants at home thoroughly and headed quickly to the trailhead.

Well, when I got out of the car to change my shoes, I could already see lots of ferns.

This is the situation at the start.

What I realized is that because I had been grouping everything together as "ferns," I hadn't been noticing the fine differences.

In the first place, I'm usually busy preparing and checking if I've forgotten anything at the trailhead, and once that's done, I leave quickly...
I was a bit surprised at how careless I had been.

Back when I made reaching the summit my main goal, I couldn't really notice the small flowers at my feet either.

At this rate, it took me an hour to cover the less than 1km from the trailhead to the actual mountain trail.
As you can see in the photos, the shapes of the leaves are completely different.

It's very busy like this.
I want to observe, but I also need to watch my step, and I have to be wary of spider webs and bugs.

I would walk a few meters and then stop, and I was quickly overtaken by the only party that had started later than me.

They must have wondered what I was taking pictures of in a place like this.
Because I used to think the same thing in the past.

By the way, I did a quick search online after getting home about the ferns in the photos, but there are so many varieties that it seems difficult to identify them right away...
The more I look into it, the more I feel like I'm wandering into a labyrinth.
I think I'll borrow a field guide from the library next time.

For now, the takeaway from this trip is realizing just how abundant the ferns are.
Many ferns are wintergreen, so I think it would be interesting to pay attention to them as a way to enjoy the mountains during the coming season.

And then, the main objective: the 'Polystichum tripteron'.
I thought I might be able to find the Polystichum tripteron since I know its characteristics, but I couldn't find it even after walking for a while.

Just when I thought it might be in a higher or more humid place.
There it was, just like that.

◻️ 'Polystichum tripteron' discovered

It is characterized by leaves growing in three directions with the main axis being the longest.
It's so distinctive that I want to believe I'm right.

One main objective achieved!
The color of the leaves and the pointed edges are cute.

This applies to everything, but the ferns you see in the mountains are much larger than I imagined.
Since the main axis is long, if you hung it on a wall, the leaves would drape nicely and create a great atmosphere. ☺️

Shortly after this, I entered a zone along the river, so I took pictures of moss in addition to ferns, and my mood lifted as I crossed the river several times.

Should I go all the way to the summit?
Just as I started thinking that, I saw it in the corner of my eye.

That big, yellow thing buzzing toward me. 🐝

I tried my best to erase my presence and leave the area, but my mood plummeted, and I suddenly wanted to go home. ⤵️
To go home, I have to go back.
But I don't want to get close to that right now!

So, I decided to climb a little further to look for autumn leaves.

◻️ In search of autumn leaves

After walking for a while, the riverside zone ended and the real climb began.
It's tough, but I knew the types of trees would change if I climbed a little, so it was worth the patience.

The fallen leaves on the ground have started to become colorful with occasional yellows and reds, but I wonder how it is.

I climbed up to a point where I usually expect to see autumn leaves, but it seems it was a little too early for them to be at their peak.

I debated climbing a bit further, but since there were spots on the way to the summit with many hornets and horseflies (as of August), I decided to make the bench along the way my summit for today! Although I couldn't capture it well in photos, there were spots that had changed color, so I consider my main goal achieved since I did get to see some autumn foliage👍

After resting for a while and observing my surroundings, the wind was calm and there didn't seem to be any large insects, so I thoroughly enjoyed my coffee and snacks. It seems better to wait until it gets a bit colder and the insects decrease before having a proper, leisurely mountain meal.

Once I finished my drink, I headed down the mountain quickly.

I tried to be as quiet as possible and moved quickly through the riverside area where the bees were, but I saw another yellow shadow.
It didn't look like a hornet, but it was wandering right in the middle of the trail😖

I waited a bit until it was gone and then passed through, but I really am afraid of anything that buzzes.
I'm afraid of being stung directly, but there's also the possibility of falling off the trail due to a reflexive dodge or movement...

Even though my head knows I shouldn't move suddenly or swat at them, I can't control those reflexive movements, so they are actually at the top of my list of things I don't want to encounter in the mountains.
(Since I'm in Kyushu, bears don't count🐻)

I hope I never have to use the poison remover in my backpack.

With that, this mountain walk ended after covering about 5 kilometers in 4 hours.

◻️The fun continues after getting home

Speaking of hiking, I wonder if many people look forward to a hot spring after coming down from the mountain?

I sometimes stop by a nearby hot spring, but this time I wanted to get home and finish the laundry, so I decided not to stop and just relax at home instead. At the end of the day, I like home the best because it's the most relaxing place.

When I want to relax at home, I stop by a roadside station or supermarket on the way back.
I can buy ingredients and make something simple at home, or if I'm tired, I can buy pre-made side dishes.

And, my secret pleasure is buying one alcoholic drink that is either a seasonal limited edition or a new product.
I have alcohol at home that you mix (like whiskey or liqueur), but I feel like choosing a different flavor than usual adds a sense of the extraordinary and makes it feel special.

This time, I chose the pear-flavored Hyoketsu.
I also bought some cheap chilled gyoza and decided to enjoy the rest with ingredients I already had at home.

For some reason, there were hornets in the parking lot even after I got home, and I had to battle a stink bug that was on my Trichodiadema plant outside, but after soaking in a bath with hot spring salts and running the washing machine, it was happy time!

After my bath, I sipped on my chilled alcohol while eating snacks, fried the gyoza, and even made ramen at the end.
I spent time scrolling through my photos while playing anime on Amazon Prime, and just lazed around in a state of pleasant exhaustion until I got sleepy.

It was such a happy day.

Whether you reach the summit or not, it's about enjoying the mountain in your own way, including the time after you get home.
Everyone has their own way of enjoying things, and I think this is one way to do it too😊

◻️Photos

From here on, I've posted the photos that didn't fit above.
Please take a look if you have time⬇️

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