232 



Sierra Club Bulletin. 



side of the cone are the temple, the sacred well, and the 

 post office, for there is a large colony of priests and curio- 

 sellers, who inhabit the stone huts during the months of 

 July and August. On this particular evening there were 

 many clouds, in fact we had had, more or less, all day 

 that sensation of being in a balloon above a sea of fleece 

 — ^broken at various intervals to permit glimpses of sea, 

 lakes, hills and farm lands. Now in the late afternoon 

 we were entirely closed in by the fleecy white clouds far 

 below us on which Fuji cast its black triangle of shadow. 

 Gradually the clouds became flushed with pale vapory 

 colors, giving way to ruddier, tawnier tones, almost fierce 

 in their black bronze effects. It was night ; clear, cold and 

 windy. 



The summit inn is extremely rude but strong, as it 

 must be, for the wild storms that so often visit the 

 mountain. It consists of one large room, — curtained to 

 make two if ladies are present — in which are to be found 

 braziers of charcoal for heating, and steaming pots of 

 soup, and of water for the never-failing tea. Again boots 

 must come off before walking on the very clean matting. 



The sunrise the following morning was the richest, 

 gayest one I have ever seen — rose and yellow intermingled 

 at first with a white mist. Then as the great sun came 

 above the horizon, all was crimson and orange. The few 

 pale stars which were left faded away. For a short space 

 of time there was that great silence which comes with a 

 climax. The heart beats loud with joy. Pilgrims were 

 kneeling at prayer. But soon the whole mountain was 

 ringing with little silver bells, while everywhere came 

 the happy voices of the white-robed worshippers. As we 

 moved downwards they were coming up from the inn at 

 Refuge No. 8, to pass the day on top, and to sleep again 

 a second night with the monks at No. 8. 



A different route is chosen for the descent, a steeper 

 one through soft cinders, by means of which one can 

 make long, rapid strides to the base. A few rests suffice 

 on the downward way, rests necessary for the guides and 



