Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen

It was difficult for Uozu to decide when to climb Mt. Hodaka from Takiya, July or August? I was with Kosaka before, and I challenged it twice.The first time was in March. Due to the severe avalanche, it was abandoned halfway and failed to reach the goal.The other time was in mid-August, and I was in danger due to falling rocks, but I managed to climb the fourth ridge. Uozu considered that this time he would go alone, and finally chose the first ten days of July.Although the snow is still quite thick in July, there will be cracks on the edge of the snow-covered valley, which is dangerous, but the pain of walking on gravel can be avoided.Takinaya is a veritable valley with many waterfalls.July is definitely more rainy than August, so there may be more falling rocks. Fortunately, you don't have to stay on all fours for a long time and crawl on the steep slope full of gravel.

For a long time, people believed that the Fei (Madan) side of Mt.This is a huge U-shaped dark valley. There are two waterfalls, the male and female waterfalls, and there is a waterfall called Huataki above, which are extremely difficult to climb.And further up, there are dark rocks and low-lying shallow valleys guarding with stern faces. This Takitani was conquered for the first time on August 13, 1925.On this day, at the same time, two teams climbed for the first time at the same time.One of the teams climbed from the left side of Xiongtaki, entered the Long Valley, conquered the A valley, reached the Dashankou (a saddle-shaped depression between two ridges), and then returned through Nanyue and Gunping.The other team ascended Takinaya from the steep rock ditch on the right side of Otaki, broke through the shallow valley, and reached the saddle of Mt. Kurosawa.The first team is climber Fujiki Kuzo and others, and the latter team is Yotsuya Tatsumin and Kojima Rokuro from the Waseda Mountain Department.

Since then, in the past ten years, all the routes of Takitani have been successfully climbed by people.Afterwards, another athlete from the Waseda Mountain Department successfully climbed for the first time during the snow-covered period. Since then, many mountaineers have climbed Mt. Hotaka from Takitani.However, no matter in the past or now, this place is still a rock wall that is regarded as the gate of hell. Let’s just say that every summer, there is at most one or none of the mountaineering teams climbing from the canyon on the back of Mt. Uozu thought: If possible, go up from the side opposite to Yutaki, cross the D shallow valley, and then reach the saddle of the ridge of Mt. Kurosawa.However, this is unforeseen before the scene.Since you want to climb the Takin Valley, you should honestly climb up from the lower reaches of the male and female takins, although this is a bit silly.Because if you want to cross the D shallow valley, in the case of acting alone, taking this route will have the least danger and the greatest chance of success.

Uozu made a schedule for climbing Mount Hotaka from the back: Depart from Tokyo on the evening of July 10th, transfer to the Takayama Line at Gifu; get off at Furukawa Station at noon on the 11th, take a bus, go to Tochio via Kamikaze, and then walk for three hours from Tochio to Shinhotaka Onsen. Stay there that night; on the morning of the 12th, go to the lower reaches of the female and male taki, start climbing, climb to the top of the mountain in the afternoon, and spend the night at the Hotao Inn; on the 13th, descend the mountain, and return to the Deze inn via Kuize. Of course, this is just a general schedule.The section before arriving at Xindegao Hot Spring can be carried out according to the plan, but after that, it depends on the weather. If it rains, the planned 12-day climb.Had to wait until the sky cleared.It is absolutely impossible to climb Takiya on a rainy day.Because this is a special climb, you have to climb up in the canyon with half of your body submerged in the rapids.So if the water level rises, it may be washed away by the rapids, and there will be a risk of falling rocks.

Yujin thought: If God helps and the plan goes according to plan, he can return to Deze on the thirteenth.But it's better for Ah Xin to be mentally prepared to wait another three days after the thirteenth day.In this case, Xin can set off from Tokyo on the morning of the 12th, arrive at Kamikochi on the same day, and wait at the Tokuzawa Inn the next day.If it goes well, the two can meet in Deze. After making a plan, Uojin called Ah Xin; "I will see you off at Tokyo Station on the day you leave. Before that, I don't want to see you again." Then he said cheerfully: "I'm very busy now. I Gotta make a suit..."

"Make a new suit? We are going to climb a mountain! Even to Deze, we have to walk eight kilometers of mountain roads." "Of course I'm preparing for mountain climbing. This time, I want to replace everything with new ones—new mood, new suits..." Ah Xin's joyful voice came from the phone line. In order to enter the mountain this time, Uozu had to take at least a week off.According to the practice of previous years, this summer, Tokiwa and the staff negotiated with each other and arranged for everyone to rest for six days.Usually, though, no one uses up their vacation in one go, but in two or three breaks.

Uozu arbitrarily decided to take a one-week vacation from the 11th, and felt embarrassed to ask Tokiwa, because no one had taken a vacation this year.In this way, he is counting his first vacation.Moreover, since the beginning of this year, he has been going to work as he pleases. In addition, his current status is a special employee, so he cannot ask for leave carelessly. After buying the train ticket and getting everything ready, Uozu came to Tokiwa's desk to ask for leave when he was about to leave on the third night. "Manager, I want to ask for leave." Yujin put it forward straightforwardly. "I'm asking for five days off, I wonder if it's okay? I also thought it would be inappropriate to use up the vacation once, but..."

"Five days is enough?" Tokiwa said calmly, looking away from the document. "Probably enough. However, it may take six days." He knew it was a bit thick-skinned to say this, but he knew in his heart that he would definitely not be able to return in five days. "Six days, isn't it?" Tokiwa's expression didn't change. "Yes, probably not seven days." Yujin tentatively said.This time, Tokiwa's eyes flashed a light, like a sleeping lion waking up. "In other words, it might take seven days, right?" Tokiwa raised his voice slightly. "Seven days is a week, which is a quarter of a month, isn't it? Where do you want to go. I don't approve of going up the mountain..."

"Not going up the mountain." He seldom lied.The strange thing is that this time he vigorously denied going up the mountain. "I want to go to the countryside, find a quiet place, and write a book about mountaineering." Someone once asked him to write a book on mountaineering, which is true. "Well, you've come up with something so out of your control. But it's all right." "I want to leave Tokyo the night after tomorrow. So I will ask for leave from the eleventh." "It's okay to take a vacation. But it's early, can't it be later?"

"But, I've already bought the ticket just now." When Tokipan heard it, he immediately moved forward. "Okay, show me. It's not bound for Matsumoto, is it?" Uozu took out the ticket from the pocket of his coat and put it on Tokiwa's desk.Tokiwa glanced at it and said, "Oh, it's Gifu." After he said this, there was no response.Probably, when it comes to mountains, I think it is from Shinjuku to Matsumoto, and then from Kamikochi to Mount Hodaka. "Gifu... Gifu is a place, I have something to do with it. There is a brewery owner's daughter who wants to marry me. She is a beautiful woman! She said she must marry me. This makes me embarrassed. A pair It would be great if it wasn't a beauty, but she is an extremely coquettish beauty. People like you don't have the experience of being pursued by beauties. For the parties involved, this is not a joke." Tokiwa's voice subconsciously It got so high that giggling came from two or three places.

"What a pity, if only you had married her!" "That can't be done. I was already engaged to my wife at that time. Although I didn't have any enthusiasm for her at all, but I was engaged. My wife still thanks me for it." Speaking of this, he suddenly changed his tone : "Gifu, you can go. The holiday is five days, and you come to work on the sixth day." As promised, the five-day vacation was settled like this. On the night of departure, Uozu left the apartment at seven o'clock.Even though it was an express train at eleven o'clock, he and Xin made an appointment to meet in Yurakucho at eight o'clock for dinner before departure. Luggage is light.The replacement clothes and other things not directly related to mountaineering were packed into packages for Ah Xin to bring to Deze.Uozu himself brought a rucksack and a climbing pick.Anticipating that we might have to pass under the waterfall, we brought a waterproof backpack with a rubber cloth as the inner layer. In the rucksack, in addition to the washbasin, sweater pants, map, compass, travel pot, and kettle, there are also 20-meter-long climbing ropes, scorpions, and two nail hooks for mountaineering. Uozu got off at Yurakucho, and as soon as he walked out of the middle exit, Axin came to meet him. "Oh! Look at your outfit!" Mountaineering attire is very common in the mountains, but it stands out in the chaotic city. After Yujin handed the package to Ah Xin, he said, "There is only one restaurant nearby where you can eat with this kind of attire and don't care." Then, he walked to the narrow alley near the station where restaurants lined up, and chose One of them went in. There are several seats inside, surrounding the Lai Guo, and there are three or four customers on the seats.Yujin walked around from behind them to the opposite staircase, took off his boots, and walked up to the second floor from the next staircase, followed by Ah Xin. Every time before Uozu climbs the mountain, in order to replenish his nutrition, he goes to the "Hamagan" in Ginza to have a delicious meal.However, today, "Binan" is kept at a respectful distance.Because since the time he invited Tokiwa to "Binan", Tokiwa has been there often, and it wouldn't be too bad if he met him there. There are two rooms on the second floor, one is six seats wide, and the other is only four and a half seats wide.It is the bedroom and living room of the owner of the store - a middle-aged couple and two maids.But sometimes old customers who don't talk about politeness come up. The six-seat wide room facing the alley has a mirror stand and a tea cabinet, and it doesn't look like a guest room.Still, there was a table in it.Ah Xin came to such a place for the first time, standing by the window anxiously.It wasn't until the young maid brought beer and edamame that she sat down across the table from Uozu. "It's still like this place?" "warm." "If we become a family, we will probably live in a room like this for the time being." Because the maid was nearby, Ah Xin put on a serious face and looked around the room.Every time a tram passed by, the house shook. Ah Xin drank two glasses of beer.The first cup was not very good, but the second cup was only half drunk, and my face flushed. Yujin felt that Ah Xin seldom spoke.Tonight's Ah Xin doesn't look like the Ah Xin who dared to confide her heart a few days ago. "You don't seem to be very energetic, are you uncomfortable?" "No." Ah Xin shook her head vigorously. "I'm very happy now. I just realized tonight that when people are happy, they like to be quiet and don't like to talk." At this time, Yujin thought: I will probably fall in love with this cute and beautiful little thing.I have to love it. They ate braised pork, assorted soups made with konjac, taro, tofu, and mashed yams.Neither of them spoke, but moved their chopsticks. Ah Xin was reticent because of her happiness, while Yujin was reticent to ensure her happiness. After half past ten, the two stood up from the table together.Ah Xin leaned back and stretched out her hands to Yujin for a handshake. Yujin complied with her request and stretched out his arms to hold her slender hands. "I'll be waiting for you at the Deze Inn on the thirteenth. You have to come down the mountain in good spirits: I'll be so happy then. I'm going to wear a new dress. It may be a bit fancy, I don't know if you will Not happy?" When she had just finished speaking, she shrank her hands timidly when she heard a sound on the stairs. "Let's go, it's too bad to be late!" Yujin picked up the rucksack in the corner of the room.They got into a taxi and headed for Tokyo Station. The train has come in.They walked towards the third-class sleeper car hanging in front. After Yujin entered the carriage, he immediately went down to the platform again.At this time, Ah Xin stretched out her hands to him again.Yujin felt that Ah Xin's move this time was a bit bold, as there were many passengers and send-off people around. Yujin also had to be brave enough to take her hands into his own, and then the two let go of them silently. After the train started, Uozu poked his head out of the window.Ah Xin walked with the car on the platform for a while, and finally said "See you on the 13th!" Then she stopped, raised her right hand, and waved vigorously at Yujin. Uozu takes a bus from Furukawa to Tochio.After walking for three hours from Tochio, I arrived at Shintoku Onsen on the evening of the 11th. This is an exclusive house located by the Kamata River.He took a bath in the spring by the river and went to bed early at night.Apart from Uozu, there is no second person in the house. The next day, Uozu woke up at five o'clock.Several kinds of bird calls came along with the sound of the stream.He got out of bed immediately, went outside, and washed his face with the cold water of the Kamata River.Then, hastily eating breakfast, getting ready, went to the door, and tied my shoelaces.It was already five fifty. When he put the rucksack on his shoulders, the owner of the hotel showed his face.He followed Fujiki Jiusan to climb Takinoya for the first time. He was still in his prime at that time, but now he is nearly sixty years old.The capable mountaineering guide back then, like many mountaineering guides now, has a bitter expression and a pair of gentle little eyes. "Be careful, this is the third time for you, so I probably don't need to worry about it." Uojin listened to the shopkeeper's words of seeing him off, and walked out of the house.The sky is clear.From here to the confluence of the male and female takins, it takes four hours to walk on a slow slope.Uozu wants to walk through it in three hours today. He walked the forest road on the left bank of the Kamata River.Uozu thought to himself, this was Kosaka's first time climbing a mountain after his death.Before I knew it, another half year had passed.If Kosaka is still alive, of course the two of them are walking together, but this time he acted alone. Arrived at the confluence, unloaded the rucksack from the shoulders, and took a short rest.It was exactly nine o'clock at this time, and after smoking a cigarette, he set off immediately. This time along the right bank of the river.After passing a steep slope paved with gravel, we arrived at a snow-covered canyon in a while.There are glacial crevasses everywhere.He walked frightenedly on the snow-covered canyon that might collapse at any time, and the gloomy sound of running water came from the snow-covered canyon. Uozu picked up his pace from the junction, and arrived at Otakishita in about thirty minutes.The waterfall falling straight down from a height of 60 meters is extremely spectacular.The amount of water is quite large.On the snow-covered canyon in front of the waterfall, there is an arched snow bridge. Take a break to the roar of the waterfall.I wanted to have lunch, but my appetite was weak, so I took a sip of the cocoa in the jug and smoked a cigarette. According to the experience of the previous two times, it took a full hour to conquer Yutaki.It should be the same as last time, first go up the female taki on the left, and then climb the right bank of the male taki.Although the rock wall is covered with birch trees, it is not very hopeful. Uozu stood up, looking up at the big wet rock face he was about to climb.Whenever he starts to act, he will feel that his whole body is in extreme excitement, so he will become chattery, but who will he talk to today?He took the last puff of cigarette slowly. I looked at my watch, it was nine forty.Uozu descended carefully to the crack between the rock and the snowy canyon.After some dangerous work, it was easy to climb up the opposite rock wall.Then, step by step to find a foothold and climb up. After about twenty minutes, Yujin was drenched all over.On the entire moss-covered rock wall, although there are also seven-degree stoves, they can be pulled up by the roots if you pull them with your hands, so they are completely unreliable.The same is true for moss, which peels off a foot-square piece as soon as it is scratched.The drops of water splashed from Otaki kept falling like rain.However, what made Uozu even more miserable was the icy current of melting snow, half of his body and hands were completely submerged in the ice water. After climbing a rock wall with icy water flowing thirty to forty meters high, I boarded a small platform.He breathed a sigh of relief and rested here for a while.This place happens to be the middle abdomen of the Xiongtaki rock wall, so you can't rest for too long.He felt cold all over. Uozu continued to climb.He climbed up by relying on the Yue Ye tree that was growing obliquely to the right.Thirty minutes later, he finally reached the peak of Xiongliu. In front of you is a relatively flat grassland.Weeds grow chest high.At this point, it finally came to an end, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The time happened to be 10:40 as scheduled.But he was worried about Yuki behind him, so he didn't dare to rest assured.He changed into straw sandals, hung a steel ring on his belt, put on three nail hooks, and put a hammerhead on his shoulder. After going down from the grass to the shallow valley, I found that the entire shallow valley was covered with snow.The shallow valley becomes narrower and narrower. Looking up, the snow-covered canyon is winding and extending upwards. After walking on the snow-covered gorge for twenty minutes, we arrived at the bottom of the slippery slope.The slippery waterfall seems to be connected by several waterfalls. Rather than saying that it is a waterfall, it is better to say that the river is pouring rapidly on the steep rock wall.The rocks on both sides of the river are dark black, the river rushes down, and white water mist rises, and countless small black butterflies are flying in the shallow valley, the number is astonishing. Uozu rested here while studying the next action plan.The upper part of this waterfall bends to the left, and the last twenty meters or so is very steep; it is the biggest difficulty.And the rocks here are crunchy.In August three years ago, he had climbed with Kosaka, so he knew that as long as he conquered the last steep slope, there would be a bright and open place ahead.The end of the canyon was there, and from there a little more effort came to the meeting point. Uojin stood up after resting for about ten minutes.His plan of action is to go around the third of the height on the right bank of the waterfall, and then go down to the bottom of the valley. When I went down to the bottom of the valley, I found a nail hook with red rust on the side of the stream.He looked up.Judging by the larger model, it is quite old. Yujin was bathed in water foam, and went up the shallow valley again.After a while, he landed in a place where he had nowhere to help and where it was difficult to move.Here is half of the waterfall.He had to drive in another nail hook as a foothold, and stepped on it.He conquered the last 20-meter steep slope that he had experienced in the previous country, and climbed to the top of the slide.At this time, it was exactly twelve o'clock.The nature on the top of the slide shows a different view - a wide field of vision, and the steps covered with a layer of snow stretch forward in a fan shape.So far, the difficult journey has temporarily come to an end.Going any further is a dangerous area. Uozu didn't take a big break until he reached the meeting point.I ate rice balls, canned beef, a small can of peaches in syrup, drank a cup of cocoa, and smoked a cigarette. When the hands of the watch pointed to one o'clock, Uozu started to leave.He took off his straw sandals and replaced them with leather boots.This is about to cross the shallow valley of D.The end of the fourth ridge in front, curved into a cat's tail.First climb the gravel slope to the right of it. It took over an hour to climb the gravel slope.When he was about to enter the Snowy Canyon again, Uozu took a short rest.A mist began to rise around the area.There is still a considerable distance ahead. For safety, we have to hurry up and cross the snow-covered canyon. It is estimated that it will take an hour.For the first twenty minutes, Uozu followed the gravel to the left of the snowy canyon.At the end of the gravel field, we can only walk through the snowy canyon.Take another break here, the time is 2:40.The fog rises and disperses from time to time, so we must hurry up! The snow on the snowy canyon froze into solid ice.Yujin didn't think about anything, just moved his feet.Now he was alone, walking in the mountains behind the deserted Mount Hotaka.At this time, his footsteps began to become heavy. Yujin reached the end of the snow-covered canyon.It was three thirty at this time.The fog is much thicker than before.Uozu kept going from the right side at the end of the snowy gorge without stopping for a moment.Go up and continue climbing.After reaching the top, there is a valley in front of you. This valley is another scene.Uojin didn't sit down for a while, but stood in place, and turned his gaze to the last section of his climbing journey - the severe and long rainy D shallow valley. The fog came and went.When the fog clears, the western ridge of Mt. Kurazawa can be seen from the near right, and the fifth ridge can be seen from the near left.They stood tall in a pale, indescribably austere pose.The D shallow valley that is about to step into stretches narrowly between these two huge ridges made of rocks. It takes an hour and a half to cross the shallow valley of D.Uozu smoked two cigarettes.As he put on his rucksack, threw away the butt of his second cigarette, and stomped it out with his boot, he heard the terrible sound of falling rocks for the first time that day. Uozu began to walk through a narrow valley littered with boulders.After a while, there was the sound of falling rocks from a distance, which rolled down from the slopes of the two ridges of Mount Kurosawa on the right. Falling rocks have an indescribably unique sound.If there is no danger to yourself, this kind of gurgling sound in the empty mountain sounds quite crisp and pleasant; however, if you are in this dangerous area, it will give you a gloomy and haunting sound. The feeling of being terrified. The sound of falling stones came continuously. The fog is getting thicker and thicker. Although you can still see clearly at your feet, you can't see clearly at a distance of ten or twenty meters.Yujin had to stare at the rocks under his feet to walk forward, and his walking was extremely difficult. After walking another twenty meters or so, Yujin froze for a moment and stopped.At this time, there was a dull roar like an earthquake, and then it turned into a loud rumbling sound that shook the earth and shook the mountains.This is not the sound of rolling a stone or two.Although the view was obscured by fog, it sounded nearby.At this time, Yujin felt extremely uneasy. Uozu continued on. It seems that the fog will not clear for the time being.In the mist, Yujin concentrated on watching the stones under his feet.From time to time there was the sound of falling rocks in the distance, but it was not loud enough to stop Yujin from moving forward. After another ten minutes of walking, Yujin was so frightened that he stood still.Because in a fairly close place, there was the sound of continuous falling stones.I don't know whether the sound came from the front or the rear, it seemed that there were dozens of boulders rolling down one after another. After a while, the frightening voice gradually disappeared, but Yujin still stood there motionless.If you continue to walk like this, you may run into a huge falling rock head-on at any time.It takes an hour and a half to travel to this valley, and we have not traveled for forty minutes yet, so the distance is less than half.If you want to get out of this dangerous zone, you have to go back as soon as possible. But at this time, Yujin suddenly thought of Ah Xin.At this moment, Ah Xin should have arrived at Kamikochi, or was walking alone in the woods from Kamikochi to Tokuzawa Inn.Thinking of Ah Xin, Yujin started to walk again.For some reason, Uozu became bolder and braver.Ah Xin was leaving, so I had to go too. This was Yujin's mood at the moment. There are large and small stones under your feet, and it is very laborious to step from one stone to another.And every stone shakes as soon as it bears Yujin's weight. Yujin continued to walk forward, sometimes from a distance, sometimes from nearby the sound of small falling stones.He seemed to see the slender Ah Xin standing facing him in the mist ahead. Ah Xin is protecting me!Yujin thought to himself, and kept moving his steps. Yujin gradually felt that he was walking alone in the dark night.However, there is only one difference from the night, that is, the whitish stones under the feet can still be seen. Yujin stood in a daze again.I don’t know how many times this has happened. This time, what I heard was not the sound of a large number of rolling stones in the distance from the previous two countries, but the sound of small stones rolling down in a very close place, and suddenly merged into a loud noise. The elephant was falling towards Yujin.Then, I heard the sound of the stone hitting the bottom of the valley 20 meters ahead. Yujin was tense all over, and stood still on the spot, realizing that the danger was in front of him, so he couldn't move on. Yujin turned around abruptly, and walked back the way he had just come.As he walked, he realized that he was backing away.At this moment, for some reason, he suddenly had an idea in his mind: it is wrong to retreat. Yuzu stopped.He actually felt that going back from here meant returning to Yatsushiro Minako's side.From a conventional point of view, going back from here does not mean anything other than escaping from the dangerous zone, but Yujin doesn't think so at this time. Uozu stood motionless in the mist.There is Mei Nazi at the back, and Ah Xin in front—he thought so.Then, he was convinced that this was the truth. Should go, must go—he thought.I should go to Ah Xin's place.Didn't he decide to climb this dangerous mountain just to erase Minako's phantom? What's more, no matter retreating or advancing, there is a danger of being attacked by falling rocks. Yujin wheezed and twitched his nose.At this time, he smelled a smell of gunpowder smoke floating in the fog.This is a unique burnt smell that has not dissipated for a long time due to large landslides. Uozu changed direction again and walked forward.Ah Xin is waiting, so I have to go to her place quickly. Uojin walked for about five minutes and never considered retreating. Suddenly, there was a loud noise of the earth shaking and the mountains shaking from nowhere.It seemed to originate from a distant place, gradually grow in size, and then hit like a tsunami.Countless pebbles rolled down from the hillside on the right side of Yujin.This is the former hometown dagger where the boulder rolled down. Pebbles rained down around Uojin. "Axin!" Yujin called out loudly.In order to get close to Ah Xin, Yujin ran towards her.He was running, no, he thought he was running, but he wasn't.In the rain of small stones, he heard the roar of boulders rolling down nearby.While listening to the sound, he dragged his heavy legs slowly. On the morning of the 12th, Ah Xin took the ordinary express train bound for Matsumoto from Shinjuku Station at 8:10 am.She just wanted to walk eight kilometers along the Yang River from Kamikochi to the Deze Inn. She didn't intend to climb the mountain, so she didn't make any special preparations for the mountain climb. She was wearing black trousers, a white shirt, waterproof canvas shoes, and a rucksack.In the rucksack was the change of clothes that Uojinto had brought, a new dress she had made, a thin sweater and sandals, and in addition, a lot of food. Take the train from Matsumoto to Torishima, and from Shimashima to Kamikochi by bus.This is the third time for Ah Xin to go this way.The first time I came here in a hurry after receiving news of my brother's death.At that time, the bus only went to Zedu, so I stayed at the Xigang store in Zedu, watching the heavy snow every day, and spent a few days restless.That trip was bleak and sad.But it was at this time that I saw Uozu for the first time.Ah Xin firmly believes that her brother arranged for her to meet Yujin. The second time was to search for his brother's body, and he went with Uozu.That time, I stayed in Deze Inn for a few days.In the forest late at night, looking at the flames that burned her brother, she made up her mind to marry Yujin. This time is the third time.In order to honor her unknown date with Uozu, she now took the bus. The bus arrived at the Kappa Bridge in Kamikochi at 4:30. Ah Xin put on her rucksack and immediately walked towards Deze.All the passengers who got off the bus went into the canteen of the "Five Thousand Feet Hotel" or took a rest nearby, except Ah Xin who got off the bus and walked. Ah Xin hurried to the Deze Inn.If the plan goes well, Uozu should climb Takinoya today and stay overnight at the Hodaka Mountain Inn, and it is impossible to come to the Deze Inn.Despite this, Ah Xin still wants to reach the place where Yujin is about to come as soon as possible. Azusa River is a bit different from last spring.It may be because the plum blossoms have not yet bloomed and there is a lot of rain, the water level is much higher than last time, and the slightly turbid river washes down the narrowed sandy beach. When Ah Xin walked by the pond where she had seen many frogs waking up from hibernation, she looked around intently, but she didn't find any frogs, and she didn't know where they all went. Walk along the road next to the river.On the other side, a piece of lush greenery is very pleasing to the eye.The branches and leaves of Zantian willow seem to bulge from bottom to top, and the green leaves of camphor tree are slightly lighter.Yujin taught her to know Zantianliu and Hazel the last time she came here. Around seven o'clock, when it was getting dark, Ah Xin arrived at the Deze Inn.Probably because the mountaineering season has not yet arrived, there are not many guests, and the inn is deserted. "Welcome!" As usual, the pleasant S came out from the back room to greet him.As soon as he saw that there was no one else except Ah Xin, he asked suspiciously, "Are you alone?" "He came alone." It didn't matter before the promise to meet Uozu here.But as soon as I arrived at this Deze Inn, I found it difficult to say anything. Ah Xin thanked her for taking care of her last time, took out the gift she brought from Tokyo, and followed him up to the second floor, into the innermost room. After lighting the oil lamp, Ah Xin felt that she had come to a place far away from Tokyo.Outside the window was shrouded in pitch black night, and everything was so still that it almost made people faint.She felt a little sour in her calf. Immediately after taking a bath, I sat down to eat at the dining table brought by a relative of S's little girl. The boiled bracken was very delicious. After dinner, I finished writing my diary and went to bed.She thought, in order to meet Yujin tomorrow, the best way is to go to bed early. Dawn breaks, wakes up at four o'clock, the sky is bright outside, and two or three wild birds are singing.The sound of one of the birds sounds like: heck, heck, heck, heck, heck. Ah Xin thought, at this time, Yujin must have fallen asleep in the Hotaka Mountain Inn.Of course, she couldn't imagine what the inn on Hotaka Mountain looked like.In any case, it is an out-and-out alpine inn built on the top of a mountain, and it is always different from this Deze inn.Now Uojin is there, wearing mountaineering clothes, with his face upturned, sleeping soundly.Yujin's sleeping appearance appeared in Ah Xin's mind, and the more she thought about it, the sweeter she became. At half past five, Ah Xin got out of bed and went downstairs.She wanted to wash her face in the creek next to the inn.Just as he was walking out of the room, he took a photo with the little girl who had just woken up. Ah Xin asked her, what kind of bird is that chirping, chirping? "Here, listen, did you hear that?" The little girl listened to it sideways, and said, "Oh, it's the call of the bell, the bell, the bell, right?" Hearing her say that, it is indeed called so.The little girl told her that it was called a sparrow.In addition to chaffinches, there are also chickadees calling.The chickadee kept calling, 嚁, 嚁, 嚁. The water in the creek is icy cold, freezing your hands.After washing her face, Ah Xin looked at Mt. Myojin directly in front of her, which clearly appeared in the clear blue sky.Watching, watching, suddenly a new idea appeared in her mind - instead of waiting here for Yujin, it would be better to meet him on the way. Ah Xin walked to the ground floor after breakfast, and asked S: I want to go to Kuanze, can I do it alone?But she didn't mention Uozu. "This..." S didn't answer clearly.Not only this time, as long as anyone mentioned the matter of entering the mountain, he always showed a deliberate expression and did not give a clear answer.He thought for a long time before saying: "Luggage porter Ah Xing, he will come down from Yokoo this morning, after he comes, you can ask him to take you there." Ah Xing is a man in his fifties or six years old, who specializes in helping people carry luggage and lead the way.It is said that he transported timber from here yesterday to the Yoko Inn, eight kilometers away, and is scheduled to return this morning. "Is there only one way to Kuze?" Ah Xin was worried that it would be bad if she and Yujin missed it. "There is not only one road. Well, but unless there are special circumstances, there is always one road to go between here and Kuze." "I won't miss it with those who come over there." "Anyone from there?" "Maybe some acquaintances will come down from Kuze today." Ah Xin still didn't mention Yujin's name. "Well, it's rare to miss it. It's rare for you to come here. It's also good to go to Kuize. Tonight, I will stay at the mountaineering inn in Kuze. Come down tomorrow." S stood up, walked outside, But he came back quickly and said: "The weather is probably fine, but it may rain in the afternoon. Because last night, the moon had a halo." Even though S said so, Ah Xin still did not believe that it would rain in the afternoon.The sky is clear, and the soft morning sun sprinkles its fine particles of light all over the wide courtyard in front of the inn. Ah Xin went back to the second floor, making preparations for the selection.At this moment, the little girl came up to report that the porter Ah Xing had returned. Ah Xin and Ah Xing left Deze Inn at 8:50. Like a clear autumn day, a white cloud rises from the top of Mt. Myojindake.Ah Xing said he was fifty-six years old, but he couldn't tell he was that age at all.His skin is still as moist as a young man's. Although his body is a little thinner, but because of this, he looks so vigorous, as if he won't get tired no matter how much he walks. After walking in the woods for about fifteen minutes, we arrived at Xincun Bridge.This is the path I traveled while searching for my brother's body.That time I crossed the Xincun Bridge and walked to the opposite bank, but this time I did not cross the bridge and walked upstream along the left bank of the Zi River. The top of Qiande Gaoshan is already in sight, and the river under the Xincun Bridge is gurgling.It was still a little cloudy yesterday, but today it is crystal clear, and even small stones can be seen clearly.The area at the foot of the mountain on the opposite bank is covered with dense green shade. Leaving Xincun Bridge, continue walking in the woods, out of the woods, you will arrive at the lava field on the river bank.Here is a rocky beach.Take a break here. “趁着还不觉得疲劳的时候，多休息几次好。” 阿幸接着向阿馨讲解了前方渐渐临近的山。从这里能看到前穗高山的全貌，明神岳已经甩到后面去了，只能看到它的一部分。对岸山上的积雪峡谷形成一条条长长的白带，拖到山脚。 从这里起，要走一段开凿在断崖半腰上的栈道。走出栈道，前面又是河滩，在此除了前穗高山外，还能看到北山脊的末端。到这儿又稍事休息，阿馨拿出一个水果罐头，在河水里浸冷之后，和阿幸分着吃。 又走二十分钟便到了横尾的峡谷汇合点。在宽广的河滩上休息了一会。这时是十点二十分。 接着又在树林里走了三十分钟。不知从哪里开始，梓河变成了小溪，溪水冲击着岩石不停地奔流。对面屏风般的大岩壁威风凛凛地矗立着。 再过三十分钟，到达了本谷的汇合处。这里的河滩里，到处是大石头。在这里仰望着屏风岩的后壁吃了饭。 据阿幸说，从这里到涸泽，要爬相当陡的坡道，如果他一个人的话，有一个半小时就能上去，可是照阿馨这样的步子，恐怕得花三个小时。阿馨心想，说不定在这王小时里会遇见从上面下来的鱼津，要是在半路上猛然会面，不知道他会惊成什么样子呢。 十二点三十分出发，一过了河就是陡坡。阿馨心想；这确实不是闹着玩的。这是一条铺满石子，望不到头的绵长陡坡道。 阿馨把背囊交给阿幸，自己空身走，可是走了两三分钟就气喘了。阿幸对她很体贴，稍走一段便小停一会儿。 小道在山坡上无止境地一直往上延伸着。右面是断崖绝壁，在深深的断崖底下，荒凉的本谷河床，象一条长蛇似地横躺着。 阿幸有规律地每隔五分钟停下脚步，并向阿馨指点脚边的小植物，告诉她：这是花笠草，那是蕨。樱桃在冒新芽。城市里已经是夏天了，然而这里还只是初春。 每次小休息，阿馨便想到鱼津。如果他按照预定的计划，昨夜投宿穗高山客栈，今天上午下到涸泽，即使在那里多休息一会儿，这时候也该下到这地方了。 从汇合处登坡一个半小时后。阿馨突然产生一种冲动的感情，觉得再也不能不讲出鱼津了。那不是不安情绪，而是一种难以名状的焦躁感，似乎再不讲出鱼津来就将永远见不到他了。 “您认识一个叫做鱼津的登山运动员吗？”在小休息的时候，阿馨问阿幸。 “鱼津？您说的是鱼津恭太先生吗？”阿幸立即反问她。 “是的。您认识他吧？” “那，当然认识。小坂先生发生事故那时节，我偏巧患了盲肠炎，没能相帮，可是我和鱼津、小坂二位都挺熟悉。小坂先生是个好人哪，真可惜！鱼津先生，自从去年春天以后再也没见过，真想见见他。” “今天就能见到，一定的！” "Really?" “他预定昨天夜宿穗高山客栈，今天下到德泽。我是来接他的。” “哦！接鱼津先生！” “是不是太慢了点……” 阿幸没理会阿馨的话，却说：“原来是这样。能够见到鱼津先生，太好啦！” “我想，该在这一带遇上他的吧。” “他可能在涸泽客栈等着吧。” “可是，他不知道我去涸泽呀。” “那也许在涸泽登山客栈和人家闲聊着吧。或许在睡午觉，他这个人是会这样的。” 听了阿幸的话，阿馨心定得多了，也许鱼津真的在睡午觉。 阿馨滑雪曾多次上过山，可象这次真正的登山，还是第一次。再有半小时左右，就可到达涸泽了，这当口，极度的疲劳开始向阿馨全身袭来。 “快下雨了。要是能到涸泽登山客栈以前，雨不下就好。” 听阿幸的话，抬头望去，果真不知从什么时候开始，已经变得满天昏暗，山坡上的大片杂树丛在风中摇动。 当隐约看到造在前面山坡上的涸泽登山客栈的时候，一滴冰冷的小雨点，打在阿馨的脸颊上。 登山客栈就在前面了。可是这以后的路，却要沿着最后的急陡坡才能上去。过了一会，到达积满雪的浅谷，过了浅谷，进入了一片砾石滩。阿馨在细雨中，走一阵歇一阵，休息了好几次。 抵达涸泽登山客栈前，一看表，三点正。 这登山客栈造在四面环着北穗高、后穗高、前穗高等山峰的盆地正中央。所有的山峰都被着自衣似的，覆盖着沉甸甸的积雪，白衣下摆沿着山谷，一直垂到山脚。 短暂的一刻，那些严峻的穗高山的群峰使阿馨看得出神，可是因为她挂念着鱼津，所以很快就清醒过来，拉开登山屋的门，走了进去。进门处是一块泥地，四五个年轻的登山运动员坐在椅子上，围着炉子。 看管这所登山客栈的主人是一位六十来岁的甚爷，他是个小个子，头戴滑雪帽。他把呆板的面庞扭向阿馨，“请进来。” 阿馨环顾室内，未见鱼津，开口便问：“鱼津先生呢？” “鱼津先生！他要来吗？”甚爷问。 “他是预定今天要从穗高山客栈下到这里来的。” “嗬，还没来呐。” “应该今天上午就下来的呀，没到这儿来吗？” “那不可能，他要是下来的话，一定会到这儿来的。” “可是……”阿馨的心一下子充满了不安。 就在这时，阿幸进来了，大概是去洗了脸，他用毛巾边擦脸边说；“哎呀，用不着担心，在这儿等着吧。不多一会儿就会下来的。” 对阿幸这种讲法，阿馨感到不满。她接过甚爷用托盘端来的茶碗，喝了一口问：“现在能上穗高山客栈吗？” “要上是能上的。” “要花多少时间？” “慢慢上去得三个小时吧……不过，今天你是上不去的。”阿幸说道。 阿馨带着不安的心情，透过窗户望出去，外面的雨声骤然大了起来。 阿馨离开炉旁，拉开房门。It rained quite heavily.阿幸来到阿馨身后。 “雨倒没什么。但，今天不行，你从上午九点钟一直走到现在，非常累了吧？” 阿馨不直接回答，反问他：“大叔！您累了？” “我吗？我不累！我经常背着四十多公斤的东西，来来去去的，今天只当它是闹着玩。” “那，您带我到穗高山客栈去好吗？” 阿馨说得认真，阿幸惊愕地注视着她。 “您真想去？”阿幸沉默了一会，然后走到雨里去，仰面看看天空。“雨看来就要停了。云彩没了。”然后他走回来说：“好！那就决定去吧。不过，够累的哟。” “嗯，不要紧的。” "What time is it now?" “三点半。” “要去的话，这就走吧。慢慢地上去好啦。” 两人立即走进了客栈。 休息二十分钟左右，他们离开了客栈。阿幸说的不错，雨几乎全住了，有一半天空是碧蓝的。 甚爷送他们到门口时说：“回来的时候，住这儿吧。” “嗳，明天晚上，可能来打扰您。” 说完，阿馨跟着阿幸走去。他们从登山屋所在的平地下到屋后开阔的积雪山谷。正前方屹立着穗高山。看得到山岭上有个低洼之处，德高山客栈就座落在那里。 穗高山群峰的大斜面，几乎全都覆盖着雪。有几处砾石地露出岩石，远看象个小黑点。 经阿幸说明，阿馨知道了他们将从靠近北穗高峰的地方迂回着穿过积雪的山谷上去，再从那里改变方向，走向一个被称作“重太郎山脊”的砾石地带，然后笔直登上去，再越过另一个积雪山谷，到达德高山客栈。乍一看，似乎不需要三个小时。 横穿登山客栈屋后的积雪山谷，走进第一个砾石地以后，每走两三分钟，阿幸便停下脚步。可能是由于精神紧张的缘故吧，阿馨一点儿也不觉得累。 “您看，多美。”每停一次步，阿幸就说。 第一次映人她眼帘的白皑皑的穗高山是雄伟的，但并不觉得美。人在大自然之中，太渺小了，而这一感觉正时时刻刻地在加剧着她内心的不安。 第一个砾石地带，有许多伏松。砾石地尽头是积雪谷。穿过积雪谷，到达重太郎山脊，这里岩石重叠。阿馨一丝不苟地重踏着阿幸踏过的岩石跟上去。刚走几步就气喘，好在阿幸稍登几步便歇歇。岩石上长着低矮的岳桦树。岩石缝的少量的泥土上的七度灶、桂树正在抽芽。这是小蒜、藜芦、黄石南花，那是白山金凤花、金梅草、猩猩草——阿幸——指点着这些高山小植物的名称。可是阿馨哪儿有心思去弄清楚那些花的名字呢，她只是匆匆朝着紫色小花、黄色小花掠一眼，只管喘着气还开脚步。 “您看！那是雷鸟。”阿幸喊叫一声。 这时候，阿馨才停下步子，朝那边看了看。一只半自半黑的小鸟，正在从一个岩石向另一个岩石话也似地飞过去。 “那叫岩云雀。”当阿幸第二次向她介绍时，她再也不屑一顾了。 走出了重太郎山脊的砾石坡，再次下到积雪谷的时候，已经是六点多了。 下到雪谷后，阿幸作了长时间的休息。阿馨内心十分焦急，而阿幸却还不想动。再上去的积雪谷形成急陡坡，万一滑跌下来不好办，所以阿幸想让阿馨多歇歇脚。 阿馨却并不惧怕积雪谷，可能是滑雪练出来的吧，她善于保持身体的平衡，压根儿没有害怕的心理。尽管如此，她还是听从阿幸的吩咐，一步一步小心翼翼地踏着阿幸的脚印行进。 这样，又越过了另一个积雪谷。当越过第二个积雪谷时，眼前出现了德高山客栈。它那样子看起来是稳重、结实的。 阿馨在客栈前站住。 “大叔，请您先进去。”她没有勇气先进去。 阿幸进去后，马上又出来说。“鱼津先生没在这儿。” 一刹那间，阿馨感到眼前一黑，好象自己刚才走过的大山坡上的积雪摇晃起来，整个景色都蒙上了一层淡紫色，昏暗又阴森。 阿幸身后，走出了一位昔日久负盛名的登山向导——J。他岩石般坚实的身上裹着朴素的衣服，一看就象个山里人。 “是鱼津先生预定要到这儿来的吗？”J问道。 "yes." "when?" “他说过，按照预定计划，昨天早晨，从新温泉出发，攀登雌泷、雄拢，然后登上D浅谷，晚上来这里宿夜。” 说完，她一眼不眨地盯视着J的脸，不放过对方的任何一个细微的感情变化。 J一句话也不说，不知想着什么，他绷着脸，眼睛直盯着地面上的一点。过了一会儿，他说了声：“进去再说吧。” 屋里昏沉沉的。靠门口的泥地当中，放着一张长方形的大桌子，周围有几把木椅。这里已有四五个大学生模样的人在吸着烟。门右边有个小卖部，一个二十来岁的姑娘站在那里，懒散地翻阅杂志。卖品不多，柜台上杂乱地放着几副扑克牌。 阿馨在一张椅子上坐下，可是心神不定。她跟姑娘要了一杯茶，喝完又走到屋门外。 屋前是一块场地，场地的一边是阿馨刚才登过的朝着涸泽方向的斜坡；反方向的另一边，按说就是鱼津要从那里登上来的飞（马单）方向的斜坡。 阿馨走到场地边缘，探视了飞（马单）方向的斜坡，它和涸泽方向的那一边不同，不能俯瞰。耳旁传来了轰轰的呼啸声，看风向似乎从下面吹上来，可能在斜坡的中腰出现了龙卷风。 阿馨心绪不宁地谛听着呼啸声。如今她不得不怀疑鱼津也许已经发生了什么问题。 阿馨什么也不看，只是一味地听着风啸声，场地上没有风，唯有飞蝉方向的斜坡上不时传来呼啸声。这在阿馨听起来，活象千百个魔鬼在呼叫、咒骂。 不知站立多久了，阿幸从屋门探出头来说：“洗澡水烧好了。” 阿馨哪里还想得到洗澡，可是被他一叫，却觉得全身冰冷，于是返回了屋里。 进屋一看，那里面的场面把阿馨惊呆了。J，学生们，还有阿幸，全都在忙着系钉靴的带子，或在卷着登山绳，有的把手电筒绑在头上，做着出发的准备，整个屋子充满着紧张的气氛。他们是为搜寻鱼津而离开这客栈。 “谢谢你们。”阿馨只简短地说了一句。除此，她再也说不出别的话来了。J也好，阿幸也好，学生们也好，话都不多，动作敏捷，做好准备工作就一个个走了出去。 在阿馨看来，眼前的这位阿幸，好象也和刚才给自己带路的那个阿幸判若两人。他那瘦削身材铿锵有劲，如同钢筋铁骨，表情也变得严肃了。 “去洗个澡，吃好饭，睡觉。我想，鱼津先生可能由于什么原因，没有从新德高温泉进山。不过，为慎重起见，我们都想到D浅谷的半路上去看看……是鱼津先生嘛，不比别人，用不着担心，没什么好担心的！”说完，阿幸最后一个离开客栈。 阿馨和客栈的姑娘一起送走了他们。夜幕已降临，天空上零零落落出现的几颗星星在闪闪发光。 一行人从客栈朝着涸泽备方向，笔直地登上斜坡，几个地方闪着手电筒的光亮。光点渐渐远去，不一会便隐没在漆黑的夜幕之中。这时，飞（马单）那边斜坡上的呼呼风啸声又传进了阿馨的耳朵。 “别看这会儿这么暗，不多一会儿，月亮就要出来的。昨天晚上也是八点钟左右就出月亮了。”姑娘说着，一句也没提到鱼津，看来她是有意识地要使阿馨分心。阿馨也不提鱼津的事。因为她知道，一旦提到鱼津，就会坐立不安的。 阿馨用雨水烧成的热水洗了澡，然后在门口的餐桌上吃了姑娘为她做的晚饭。 阿馨看着在油灯光映射下泥地上出现的自己的身影，感到阴森可怕。 姑娘说的不错，八点时分，月亮从屏风岩顶上升起来了。在月光照耀下，巨大的山峰清晰地显现了出来，一座座山都是黑黝黝的，而积雪的山谷却反射着青光。 “楼上已给您铺好床，请休息吧。”姑娘劝了她多次，可是她总回答：不困，想在门口呆着。她反而劝姑娘去睡。 十点钟，姑娘进了里屋，外间只剩下阿馨一个人。 阿馨不知不觉地睡着了。当她突然醒来的时候，油灯已经暗下来了。一看手表，是两点。她走出室外，月亮正在头顶上。高山顶深夜的静谧，一下子笼罩了阿馨的心头。 阿馨两点钟醒来以后就一直没有睡，靠在桌旁于坐着。寒气向她猛袭过来，可是她心里抗御着：寒气算得了什么！当她意识到自己已冻得全身发抖时，才站起身在桌边走动。 她把背囊里的所有衣服全都穿上了，显得臃肿难看。 昨夜出去搜寻的一个学生回来时，已是凌晨四点钟，破晓时的白光开始射向周围一带了。 阿馨听到有人拉开门，便站起身来。学生一进屋，就在门边站住了，说声：“我回来了。”他的语调是平静的。这平静的语调使阿馨脸上失去了血色。 “大伙儿呢？” “还要晚一点回来。” "why?" 对方没作回答，径自走进屋内，把登山衣的头罩往背后一推，叼上一支烟，然后从登山衣胸口的口袋里摸出一本笔记本，一声不响地递给了阿馨。 阿馨用颤抖的双手接过来。笔记本是湿的。 “当中夹着空烟盒吧。本来就是这样打开着的。” 确实笔记本里夹着和平牌的空烟盒。她翻开了那一页。笔记本有一半被雨淋湿，但用铅笔写着的大字，还能看得清清楚楚： 三点半进入D浅谷。坠石频频。雾甚浓。 四点三十五分左右，在塔状岩峰附近遇到大型石，负伤。 躲避在涸泽岳伸出的无名山脊中的岩石背后，昏迷。 七时苏醒，腿部大量出血。 下半身麻木，不疼。 浓雾依然。 时而神志不清。 遇难原因显然——不顾浓雾冒进。坠石频频，不顾体况异常，一言以蔽之，轻率也。 以往都有著名登山运动员丧生于可以避免的危难。吾亦重蹈其覆辙矣。 雾已散尽，月光皎洁，两点十五分。 毫无痛苦，不觉寒冷。 silence.极为寂静。 笔记到此结束。