climbing ishizuchi-san

These are a few snapshots of climbing Ishizuchi-san, at 1982 meters the highest mountain in Shikoku. It was originally a sacred mountain climbed only by male pilgrims, but now that practice is continued only on the official "opening day" of the climbing season, July 1. On the way up there are four sections where one can climb directly up large chains (kusari) instead of following the more indirect climbing path. Kobo Daishi is believed to have climbed the mountain in 797.