有名なことわざ、「千里の道も一歩から」は中国春秋時代の哲学者、老子が、日々の努力を重ねていくことで目標に達成できると説いたものです。
2025年5月27日、梅雨の前に2599メートルの金峰山登頂にむけて、登山道を歩きはじめましたが、苔に覆われた美しい森の樹林帯を抜けると、きびしい岩山が待っていました。鎖を使って大きな石をのぼり、石の隙間に手をかけて、霧で視界がない中、ばて気味になりながら、少しづつ登っていき、最後の石の急勾配を登ると、五丈岩がまつ頂上へ。霧の中、山頂の道標だけが見えて、15分ほど下の金峰山小屋に宿泊しました。
夜中雨が屋根をたたきつける音が聞こえましたが、翌朝は快晴。小屋から昨夜の雨が降雪となった白い富士山、南アルプス、八ヶ岳などが見えました。
どんなに厳しい道でも、一歩づつ登ったら、こんな景色が待っているという、ことわざ通りの体験になりました。
同行したメンバーからは、もう少し体力をつけてくださいとのことで、はい、日々がんばります。
The well-known proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” is attributed to Laozi, the ancient Chinese philosopher. It reminds us that even the loftiest goals can be reached through steady, consistent effort.
On May 27, 2025, just before the start of the rainy season, I took my first step toward the 2,599-meter summit of Mt. Kinpu. The trail began gently, winding through an enchanting forest draped in moss, a serene green world untouched by time. But beyond the forest, the terrain turned harsh—towering rocks, steep inclines, and silence broken only by the sound of my breath.
Using chains to scale boulders and gripping narrow crevices between stones, I climbed slowly, the mist veiling everything beyond a few steps ahead. Fatigue crept in with each stride, but I pressed on. At last, after ascending the final steep rock face, I reached the summit—marked by the massive, otherworldly Gojō-iwa stone. Surrounded by fog, only the summit sign stood clear. That night, I stayed at the nearby Kinpu Mountain Hut, nestled 15 minutes below the peak.
Rain lashed the roof through the night. But at dawn, the skies cleared in brilliant contrast. From the lookout above the hut, I saw Mt. Fuji cloaked in fresh snow from the night’s storm. The Southern Alps and Yatsugatake rose in the distance, bathed in morning light.
It was a moment that brought the proverb to life: no matter how demanding the path, if you keep taking one step at a time, you’ll find yourself somewhere truly extraordinary.
As for my climbing companions, they kindly suggested I build a bit more stamina. Message received. I’ll keep working at it, one day at a time.
