This person has accomplished another amazing feat. He has completed the most difficult Shugendo trail in the Kansai region, the Omine Okugake Trail (from Yoshino in Nara Prefecture to Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture). His goal is to complete the trail in 20 hours.

Going back in time, when Doi-san came to our company, I told him about my fastpacking trip up the Omine Okugake Trail with a friend. You can read about it here . He told me that with many races being cancelled, he was considering completing the Omine trail in under 20 hours as a personal challenge. He asked me to support him, since I knew the course. I was a bit worried, but I readily agreed, knowing that I could help with such an incredible challenge. We had several meetings, worked out the details of where I needed support, and then we got started.

I was asked to provide support at two locations, the first of which was at Jikkyo-no-yado, midway along the Southern Okugake Trail in the latter half of the hike. The estimated arrival time was 9:58. Thinking that they might be tired since it was the latter half of the hike, I arrived at the site 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. But then, to my surprise, there was a note left on the desk!!!

To my surprise, I'd missed out on the support! I was sweating profusely. I arrived over an hour later than planned. Did I have enough food? Was my body cold? Many thoughts crossed my mind, but it was too late. Norio-chan, who had accompanied me (and acted as pacer from Tamaki Shrine), and I repeatedly yelled, "This is bad, this is bad!" as we dashed back to the car, 10km away.

At the second support aid station, Tamaki Shrine, Fukui, who acted as pacer from the middle of the race, and two other people appeared from the thick fog.

I stuffed my mouth with rice balls and pork soup, exclaiming, "Delicious! It warms my body!", and left in about five minutes without even sitting down.

From here on, Norio, who has done the Omine Okugake Trail three times in two months, provided reliable route navigation. Aiming for the goal of completing the trail in under 20 hours, he led the way from Tamaki Shrine.

After 19 hours, we crossed the Kumano River, the last fort. We were just a little ways away from the finish line.

I was also appointed as the cameraman and desperately followed the three of them. There were countless large and small stones on the ground, making it difficult to run.

There are now just 200 meters left to the finish line. I run desperately ahead to capture the thrilling moment when he clears the target time. But then trouble strikes! I realize that my cell phone, which was there just a moment ago, is no longer in my pocket. I panic, but Doi runs towards the camera. I don't care about my cell phone. For some reason...

However, the three of them didn't know about the loss of my phone, and couldn't say anything...

Doi achieved his goal of finishing in under 20 hours.

Shake hands with your friends,

Appreciate each other.

Record the feeling of giving it your all.

After taking a commemorative photo with everyone and confirming that my duties as support and photographer were complete, I reported that I had dropped my cell phone. It had been there a moment ago, so it must be nearby.

I must have dropped it around here. Everyone else was exhausted after achieving this amazing record, so I asked them to help me look for my phone, but my phone was on silent mode, and there was no response when they called. I started to panic. The phone case was the same color as the stone, making it difficult to find. It was also evening, and the sun was setting. Once it got dark, the chances of finding it would be slim. I was about to give up, thinking that I should either keep looking with my headlamp on, or wait until the next morning and look when it was light, when Fukui-san shouted, "I found it!" I was so saved. Thank you, Fukui-san. And thank you for your hard work, Doi-san!

The lesson here is to turn off silent mode on your phone, choose deeper pockets since the pockets on your pants are shallow, or if you make pants with milestone, make sure they have a design that prevents your phone from falling out.