Chofu ”Autumn" Fireworks 2018 調布”秋”花火 2018 - 10/27/2018

Chofu City Autumn Fireworks Festival 2018

10,000 fireworks illuminated the clear autumn night sky in Chofu City, Tokyo, entertaining  350,000 spectators.

Video by Lifeisamt

World's Largest Firework - 2018 Kounosu Fireworks Festival Finale (Guinness World Record) こうのす花火大会 "鳳凰乱舞" 日本一・世界最大の４尺玉花火 10-13-2018

Kounosu Fireworks Festival is an annual event organized by Kounosu Junior Chamber of Commerce, in Kounosu, Saitama, Japan. The festival’s ４尺玉/yonshakudama firework shell is recognized as the world’s largest aerial firework shell and became a new Guinness World Record in 2014. 

鳳凰乱舞(Ohtoriranbu) “Phoenix Dance” starmine firework for the finale is spectacular, which includes a series of 300 blasts with the Guinness World Record４尺玉/yonshakudama firework at the end. Ordinary shakudama (firework shell) is about 30cm in diameter and goes up 330 meters into the sky displaying a 300 meter bloom, whereas４尺玉/yonshakudama firework shell is over 1 meter in diameter reaching 800 meters into the sky displaying a 800 meter bloom across. 

Such a scale of spectacular fireworks not only illuminates the entire night sky breathtakingly, but also creates a dynamic sound and vibration that can be felt through your body and the ground. The experience is visually beautiful and physically sensational. It’s a must see and must feel. Two thumbs up!!

Video by Lifeisamt

Sumida River Fireworks 2018 墨田川花火大会 - Tokyo, Japan

Sumida River Fireworks. Spectacular fireworks display over the Sumida River in Tokyo. 20,000 fireworks in 1.5 hrs with over 1 million spectators. Super!

Video by Lifeisamt

Marmot Pass/Buckhorn Mountain - Olympic Peninsula, WA

Absolutely FANTASTIC hike! Spectacular views of mountains, bursting wildflowers and mountain goats. Although the hiking distance and elevation gain may kick your butt - 5.3 miles/3,500 ft gain for Marmot Pass or 6.3 miles/4,500 ft gain for Marmot Pass and Buckhorn Mountain, it is totally worth the effort....the reward is jaw-dropping 360 views of Olympic mountains, Cascade range, Puget Sound (yes, you can see Seattle!), San Juans and beyond. I hear people make a special overnight trip to Marmot Pass for July 4th to view Seattle's fireworks.

Marmot Pass
The trail is in good condition and smooth sailing. There are some wet and muddy spots, but not a big deal. Blowdowns are cleared thanks to WTA's work. The first mile or so into the journey is a gentle grade and soon the trail begins to ascend steadily through the forest. It's a pleasant hike along Big Quilcene River and the sound of the stream is really soothing. At 2.6 miles you reach Shelter Rock Camp which is adjacent to the creek and it's a good place for a short break. I saw some Rhododendron on the way, but they are mostly done for the season now.

The trail continues to climb and the view opens up soon after Shelter Rock Camp and sky-scraping mountain peaks come into sight. Wildflowers are abundant along the trail from this point on. Look up to the gullies of Buckhorn and Iron Mountains for stunning views of the towering boulders.

At 4.6 miles, you pass Camp Mystery. Camp Mystery seems a very cozy camp site and tucked in by a creek nearby and a meadow along the trail. Marmot Pass is less than a mile from here, so chin up and keep going. The trail travels through a small meadow before ascending switchbacks which take you up to a vast open meadow. From the meadow Marmot Pass is seen on top of the saddle across the meadow. Follow the last stretch of the trail up to Marmot Pass as Buckhorn Mountain and wildflowers greet you.

Take in the gorgeous views from Marmot Pass....Olympic mountains, Buckhorn Mountain, Puget Sound and open meadow down below. There are small patches of snow here and there on the pass, but it's easy to cross. Although views from Marmot Pass are beautiful, if you want to get even better and jaw-dropping views of the Olympic range and Puget Sound with Cascade peaks, hike up to Buckhorn Mountain.

Buckhorn Mountain
The trail climbs steeply from Marmot Pass. It's about a mile to the summit. There are two steep sections en route....at the beginning and at the end where you ascend the summit block. The middle section of the route is a gentle grade on Buckhorn's saddle. The steep switchbacks at the beginning and at the summit block are dirt and scree and a little slippery, so be careful. I found hiking poles were helpful. The views get better and better as you ascend....Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker show up in the skyline and the entire Puget Sound is visible. More peaks deep inside of the Olympic range show up, too. Wow!

There are two peaks on the summit block. Enjoy the jaw-dropping views sweeping all directions. Olympic mountains (I wish I knew all the names of the Olympic mountains!), Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, N. Cascades, Puget Sound, San Juans, and beyond. And, it was a special treat that I also saw a family of mountain goats. They were trekking along the trail on Buckhorn.

I am so glad that I did Marmot Pass/Buckhorn Mountain hike, and I do agree with other trip reports....put this hike on your must do hikes on the Olympic Peninsula! It's epically amazing. I highly recommend. Two thumbs up!!! :)

By the way, FR 27 (paved) has dips and bumpy spots here and there, and there are quite a few potholes on FR 2750 (unpaved). So, just pay attention as you proceed. Happy hiking!