I don't expect many of you to know what this refers to but it was the secrete code used by the Imperial Japanese Navy to begin its attack against Pearl harbor on Sunday December 7, 1941.
So now that the history lesson is over I'm sure some of you are wondering what the hell I brought that up for in the middle of October. Well it's now official, I'm climbing that mountain. Niitaka is the Japanese name for Mount Yashan (Jade Mountain in english) which is the tallest mountain in Taiwan with an elivation of 12,966 ft (nearly 600ft higher then Fuji). As a reward for a rather large amount of business I helped facilitate for our company the COB has invited me along with most of the upper management of our company on a three day climbing expedition in Taiwan (where our companies COB lives). The more and more I find out the more excited I get. My family wasn't so excited about me leaving for 9-10 days to go climb a mountain but after showing my wife what I would be doing I think we all agree it is a once in a lifetime opportunity especially as the company will be picking up all the costs as a business expense. Although I will spend a few days at the office in Taiwan and visit some customers, the nearly $5,000 which it would cost to go if it wasn't for the company would make this trip impossible.
I would also like to note that this is yet another opportunity that is presented thanks to me getting my 250+lb ass off the couch 6 years ago to get in shape. The climb involves approximatly 6-1/2 hours of climbing the first day followed by a night in a lodge. We will then get up at around 2:30am for a 3:00am departure time the second day. It is around 2 to 2-1/2 hours from this base camp to the summit where we will then stay to watch the sun rise at 13,000 ft. This is above the cloud level and based on the pictures I've seen should be unbeleavable if the weather holds. Once the sun rises it is then another 5-1/2 hours back to the starting point the base which can be extended into a two day decent if we travel down the back side and visit some of the more amazing views including waterfalls, nature, etc. So I leave a week from Monday and while everyone I know is attending Halloween parties I will be sleeping in Tiawan getting ready to begin the climb.
In case anyone is interested I will try to attach a youtube video here showing some pictures of one groups climb just click on the photo below. I'm sure I'll have my own when I return.
So now that the history lesson is over I'm sure some of you are wondering what the hell I brought that up for in the middle of October. Well it's now official, I'm climbing that mountain. Niitaka is the Japanese name for Mount Yashan (Jade Mountain in english) which is the tallest mountain in Taiwan with an elivation of 12,966 ft (nearly 600ft higher then Fuji). As a reward for a rather large amount of business I helped facilitate for our company the COB has invited me along with most of the upper management of our company on a three day climbing expedition in Taiwan (where our companies COB lives). The more and more I find out the more excited I get. My family wasn't so excited about me leaving for 9-10 days to go climb a mountain but after showing my wife what I would be doing I think we all agree it is a once in a lifetime opportunity especially as the company will be picking up all the costs as a business expense. Although I will spend a few days at the office in Taiwan and visit some customers, the nearly $5,000 which it would cost to go if it wasn't for the company would make this trip impossible.
I would also like to note that this is yet another opportunity that is presented thanks to me getting my 250+lb ass off the couch 6 years ago to get in shape. The climb involves approximatly 6-1/2 hours of climbing the first day followed by a night in a lodge. We will then get up at around 2:30am for a 3:00am departure time the second day. It is around 2 to 2-1/2 hours from this base camp to the summit where we will then stay to watch the sun rise at 13,000 ft. This is above the cloud level and based on the pictures I've seen should be unbeleavable if the weather holds. Once the sun rises it is then another 5-1/2 hours back to the starting point the base which can be extended into a two day decent if we travel down the back side and visit some of the more amazing views including waterfalls, nature, etc. So I leave a week from Monday and while everyone I know is attending Halloween parties I will be sleeping in Tiawan getting ready to begin the climb.
In case anyone is interested I will try to attach a youtube video here showing some pictures of one groups climb just click on the photo below. I'm sure I'll have my own when I return.
2 Complaints:
That's very exciting! These days I am reading a book about Mt Everest and kept thinking what an amazing adventure mount climbing is! Looking forward to reading more about this in the future.
Awesome, Brett! I agree, most likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially in today's economy. Have a blast and take a ton of pics/video. The closest I've ever come to that is Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs...I really need to travel more someday...perhaps when the kids get old enough to come along.
Have a blast and post when you can!
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