04/11/2025
As winter crept in, I was ready to hang up my hiking boots for the season, until a friend reached out with a wild idea: Mount Eniwa.
At first, I hesitated. Public transport from Lake Shikotsu to the trailhead? Nonexistent. The hike itself? Anywhere from 9-14 km depending on the route. But something inside me sparked, the thrill of adventure and the beauty of uncertainty.
We arrived at Lake Shikotsu and, as expected, no taxis in sight. So we did what any adventurous souls would do, we hitchhiked.
The climb itself wasn’t extreme, but there were some technical sections. Watching my friend tackle them with the skill and ease of true Gorkha blood was inspiring. The summit rewarded us with breathtaking views and, of course, a mini photoshoot to capture the moment.
After six hours, we started our descent, only to realize we had another 9 km to walk to reach the nearest bus station. Once again, we turned to the kindness of strangers. Two incredible people, on their way in the opposite direction, didn’t hesitate to give us a lift.
