On June 28 (Sat), the KanxKan Lectures and Apoi College held a joint event to tour Mt. Apoi Geopark on electric mountain bikes (E-MTB).

When I was checking the route the morning of the tour, Oyako-iwa looked whimsical sitting above the mist.

We started with safety training.

Up the hill we went, and stopped in front of the ballpark.

We learned about the relationship between parasites that live in a common amber snail and birds.

We also talked about the Ainu legends surrounding Mt. Kannon.

Just a week or so ago, there were some Siberian lilies here. This flower is often found along the roadside in Hidaka and along the coastline.


We touched on the history of the Hidaka Mountains and the ballpark.


The Oyako-iwa Fureai Beach was covered in mist.

While at Sobira-iwa, the participants were excited to hear about the birds and see photos taken before the landfill in 1934.

Here was an early morning view of Cape Enrumu, where magma cooled and solidified to create the geological folds. It's surrounded by Hidaka kelp and a thin layer of fog.

This was our first E-MTB tour, and we managed to end it without incident.

I think next time it would be interesting to take the bikes out on a dirt trail or out towards Saman Dam.

Even the parking lot at the Visitor Center was full of hikers! Overall, it was a pretty great day!