Social distancing a mountain climb

TIM BUNTING

KIWI YAMABUSHI

The eighth station of Mt. Gassan during the middle of summer.

山伏

キウイ

Social distancing a mountain climb

Tomorrow I’ll be making the most out of a bad situation, well kinda. It could be worse, but I’ll be climbing Mt. Chokai for the first time in about 7 years.

Last year I climbed Gassan four times, went to Yudono at least five times, and Haguro probably more than 20 times, which left no space for a climb up Chokai! I had always thought of climbing Chokai, but was too stuffed from climbing the other Dewa Sanzan (Mt. Chokai used to be a Dewa Sanzan).

Either way, I refuse to let the lack of Yamabushi training stop me going to the mountains. During training, we get pretty close and personal with other people so it’s definitely off the cards, but social distancing a mountain climb is definitely possible.

Tim
July 23, 2020
8:54 pm
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi, I’m Tim Bunting AKA the Kiwi Yamabushi, a New Zealander who became a Yamabushi Ascetic in the Dewa Sanzan mountains of north Japan. I’m part of the Yamabushido team, and we host life-altering Yamabushi training on the Dewa Sanzan (website link). People come to us for the ultimate mindfulness experience, to reach the next level, or simply connect with nature and themselves.

I’m on a mission to summit all 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata Prefecture to spread the splendour of this fabulous location, and in dedication to all those who lost their lives out in nature, including my father.

On my daily blog I post thoughts of a practicing Yamabushi that I hope people can use to better themselves and live as fulfilling a life as possible.

Sign up to the weekly Mountains of Wisdom newsletter, follow me on social (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Clubhouse, all @kiwiyamabushi), or send me an email via the link below to stay in touch.

Tim.