The Southern Alps are by no means overlooked, but they also don't get as much credit (or crowds) as the Northern Alps do. One of the primary reasons for this is likely the high cost and difficulty in accessing them relative to their northerly neighbors. But there are many reasons to fall in love with and even prefer the Southern Alps as a hiking and trekking destination, including their ruggedness, quiet lush forests, abundant wildlife, persistent views of Mt. Fuji, and as it pertains to this tour - comparatively stable weather and safe snow hiking during the winter season. Add to that mountains huts that open on a limited basis in winter, and this becomes an excellent place to head for a memorable and unique New Year's Eve and Day.

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The trek itself takes place over two days, but a required early start on day one necessitates an overnight at a local onsen (hot spring) lodge near the trailhead on the evening before we hit the trail. On the following morning we will make the short drive to the start and begin our hike in earnest. Day 1 is a serious endeavor, with a steady climb from around 1,300m all the way up to our evening's accommodation at 2,700m, just over 9km and between 6 and 8 hours away. We will spend the night in an atmospheric Japanese mountain hut with numerous other like-minded mountain lovers that have likewise made the climb in hopes of catching the first sunrise of 2021 with a towering Mt. Fuji in the background. Sharing these moments together will be a unique cultural experience but an atypical New Year's Eve as the day will draw to a close with a warm Japanese meal, a modest amount of sake and an early bedtime (well before the countdown)  in anticipation of an early start on New Years morning.

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​Day 2 will see us up before the sun rises, as we'll leave the warmth and protection of the hut in total darkness and aim to summit the nearby peak with headlamps in order to watch the sunrise from the top. Make no mistake, it will be cold as we wait on the sun, and we will need to be equipped appropriately - but the city lights below and the orange glow above the stunning silhouette of Mt. Fuji will provide the perfect distraction before the sun makes its grand entrance. Depending on how everyone feels, we'll continue on beyond the first summit to a second nearby peak  before doubling back to the hut, packing up our things, and retracing our day one route back to the car, and back to the world below the clouds. It is always fun to see the mountains in the rearview as you drive away, and marvel to yourself that you had been there just hours before. Day 2 adds another 450m or so of climbing before the long gradual descent, with the total length totaling just over 11km, and another 6 to 8 hours on the trail.