MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With the sometimes monotonous humdrum of day-to-day life, service members and their families can easily get caught up in all the details, and be in desperate need for a get away.
On April 5 Marine Corps Community Services Outdoor Recreation took a trip to Mikuradake National Park, more commonly known as Three Peaks to get away from it all and to spend a day hiking in the Japanese countryside.
A van left IronWorks Gym at 8 a.m. loaded with hiking enthusiasts from around the Station who attended the trip. Following a one-hour drive the group arrived at the bottom of the mountains and readied themselves for a day of hiking.
After a quick brief and a little stretching, the group double-checked their gear, grabbed a partner, a whistle in case of an emergency and hit the trails.
The trails started off fairly simple, but grew more difficult as the hikers neared the summit. Armed with rugged hiking boots along with an appetite for adventure, the hikers seemed to have no problem with the untamed terrain as they made it a point to slow down and take it all in.
"I've already climbed Fuji so this wasn't a bad climb," said Dilva Erhart, hiking enthusiast. "We took our time. I really enjoyed it, especially the part of the trails that had the ferns growing along either side. That was just beautiful."
Erhart's climbing partner Navy Lt. Seon Jones, Marine Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 flight surgeon, was just as enthusiastic about the scenery.
"A lot of the rock faces on our way up the mountain were pretty impressive, they looked like great places to climb," said Jones.
Once the hikers made it to the summit they could stand atop the first peak and see for miles in every direction.
"It was definitely worth the climb. I'm glad I brought the camera, but I wish I would have thought to bring the binoculars," laughed Jones. "What a view."
Some stopped at the summit to eat lunch, while others hungry for more adventure headed down the other side of the mountain and met up with a slightly different challenge then they had seen on the way up.
Utilizing a series of chains and steel steps was the only way the hikers could hope to conquer the steep rock faces and deep gorges.
"It was very empowering," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jill Smith, Traffic Management Office officer-in-charge. "I felt like Super Woman climbing down with those chains."
Safely navigating their way down the backside of the mountain the whole group met up in a log cabin style lodge at the foot of the mountain.
There they could soothe any aches and pains with a cup of green tea and homemade cookies while trading stories about their hike, before piling into the van for the trip home.
Bobby Dillard, Marine Corps Community Services Outdoor Recreation director and guide for the hike, explained the significance of this hike.
"This is the first hike of the season and Three Peaks is always a great place to start," said Dillard. "We hike these smaller mountains to get built up for Fuji which is coming up this summer."