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Why this iconic view of Mt Fuji is set to be obstructed

<p>One small town in Japan is fed up with disrespectful tourists, and is set to take drastic measures to block an iconic view of My Fuji to deter travellers. </p> <p>Fujikawaguchiko, at the foot of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji, has long been overrun with tourists who are hellbent on getting the perfect picture of the Japanese mountain. </p> <p>Tourists specifically flock to the Lawson convenience store to take their pictures, with the contrast between the busy neon-lit shop and the peaceful mountain behind it making for the perfect holiday snap. </p> <p>However, in recent years since Japan reopened its borders to international tourists after harsh Covid lockdowns, these tourists have had the run of the town, and locals have had enough. </p> <p>To combat the over tourism of the area and deter travellers, local officials of the town are set to erect a giant mesh barrier atop the store, blocking the picture perfect view.</p> <p>One town official said that there have been ongoing problems with tourists leaving trash and not following traffic rules, despite signs and security guards being posted to warn them.</p> <p>"It is regrettable that we had to take such measures," the official said.</p> <p>The net, which measures 2.5 meters high and 20 meters long, will be erected early next week.</p> <p>The crowds plaguing the small town, which is in Yamanashi prefecture, to the north of Fuji and about 100 kilometres west of Tokyo, is just one part of a larger over tourism issue in the whole of Japan. </p> <p>"Overtourism – and all the subsequent consequences like rubbish, rising CO2 emissions and reckless hikers – is the biggest problem facing Mount Fuji," Masatake Izumi, a Yamanashi prefectural government official, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/mount-fuji-overtourism-intl-hnk/index.html">told CNN Travel</a> in 2023.</p> <p>Some locals had even nicknamed the 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) mountain, called Fuji-san in Japanese, "trash mountain."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

International Travel

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Tragic confirmation of Julian Sands' death

<p>Missing British actor Julia Sands has been confirmed dead at age 65.</p> <p>Californian hikers <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/human-remains-found-in-search-for-missing-actor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discovered human remains</a> in the surrounding area where the actor was said to have vanished, and the remains have now been identified as Sands, according to authorities.</p> <p>"The identification process for the body located on Mt. Baldy on June 24, 2023, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood," the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department said in a statement.</p> <p>"The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results," it continued.</p> <p>"We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to locate Mr. Sands.”</p> <p>Sands’ tragic death comes days after a search and rescue was resumed by the San Bernardino Sherrif’s Office, which had been leading the searches for the missing actor over the past six months.</p> <p>The local region experienced wild and uncharacteristic weather which led to a more difficult search.</p> <p>Sands was first reported missing in January after setting out to hike the notoriously dangerous Mount Baldy, which rises more than 10,000 feet (approx. 3048 metres) east of Los Angeles and has been hit with severe storms during their winter season.</p> <p>"We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer," the statement said.</p> <p>Sands’ family released a statement at the time of his disappearance, saying, "Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian, not least the heroic search teams listed below who are braving difficult conditions on the ground and in the air to bring Julian home,”</p> <p>Sands’ son Henry also released a statement in April to praise the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department for their continued efforts in rescuing his father.</p> <p>"I am hugely appreciative for all the efforts made so far from the volunteer search and rescue climbers and the San Bernardino county sheriff team to bring my father home," Henry Sands told <em>The Times</em>.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

News

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Human remains found in search for missing actor

<p>Californian hikers have discovered human remains in the wilderness area where actor Julian Sands disappeared more than five months ago, according to authorities.</p> <p>Officials have not yet identified the victim.</p> <p>The remains were transported to the coroner’s office for confirmation, which is expected to be completed next week, <em>The New York Post</em> reported.</p> <p>Sands was reported missing on January 13 after he failed to return from a hiking trip in Mount Baldy, located about 72 kilometres east of Los Angeles.</p> <p>The search – consisting of 80 volunteers and officials – resumed on June 12 after a temporary suspension.</p> <p>Police have conducted eight ground and air searches since the actor's disappearance on the mountain.</p> <p>“Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions. Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet [about 16 metres] of ice and snow,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said.</p> <p>Sands’ family spoke publicly for the first time since he vanished, releasing a statement on June 23 to express their gratitude for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.</p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” the family said.</p> <p>“We continue to hold Julian in our hearts, with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer.”</p> <p>Sands is known for starring in films such as Arachnophobia, A Room with a View, Warlock and Leaving Las Vegas.</p> <p>Mt. Baldy is renowned for being one of the most dangerous peaks to climb in California.</p> <p>According to the<em> Los Angeles Times</em>, six people have died with crews conducting over 100 searches as daredevils and avid hikers alike are drawn to the daunting challenge of the more-than-16,000 metre climb.</p> <p>In January, officials found hiker Jin Chung, 75, who had become lost on Mount Baldy and was hospitalised with a leg injury and other weather-related injuries.</p> <p>Before Chung’s brief disappearance, a mother of four fell more than 500 to 700 feet to her death.</p> <p>Crystal Paula Gonzalez, renowned as a “hiking queen”, slipped on the steep icy hillside and later died from her injuries, officials reported.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook / Getty</em></p>

News

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All flights grounded after five deaths

<p dir="ltr">A chartered helicopter company has grounded all flights after five people died on a trip. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pilot and four passengers on board a helicopter owned by Microflite were declared dead after the flight crashed near Mt Disappointment, north of Melbourne's CBD.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police Air Wing located the wreckage about 11.45 on Thursday and began their investigations with aviation experts into what caused the plane to crash. </p> <p dir="ltr">On board was a 32-year-old man who was the pilot, a 50-year-old woman, 59-year-old man, 70-year-old man, and a 73-year-old man. </p> <p dir="ltr">Microflite announced in a statement that their flights would resume on Tuesday as investigations continue.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A private charter flown by one of our crews crashed at Mount Disappointment, tragically killing all four passengers and one of our highly respected pilots onboard,” the statement began.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Microflite family have been deeply shocked and devastated by this tragic incident, and we have decided to suspend all charter services until at least Tuesday 5 April 2022, at this stage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you have a flight with us during this time, we will reach out to you in the coming days regarding your booking.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We understand you will have questions regarding this incident, and will be in touch with further information in due course.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you in advance for your patience and support during this challenging time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will determine the cause of the crash.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Nine News</em></p>

News

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Sheep rescued from 40kg fleece

<p dir="ltr">A bushwalker enjoying a walk along a mountain top came across a sheep burdened by its heavy 40kg fleece.</p> <p dir="ltr">The sheep, named Alex, was found on Mt Alexander in Victoria unable to walk and could hardly lift his head.</p> <p dir="ltr">The walker contacted Edgar’s Mission who came and rescued the sheep who was in a “worse state of health”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"So weak was he that he could not stand. Not even when assisted to do so, and struggle we did to find a passage in through his felt-like fleece to administer life-enhancing fluids,” the rescuers wrote on Facebook. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Truth be told, too, we wondered at first blush with Alex: Could his life even be saved, and would the kindest thing have been to let him pass from this world? </p> <p dir="ltr">“And then we lifted the shroud of wool from his face and our eyes met, and in that instant, it was so strikingly clear he wanted to live.”</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fedgarsmission%2Fvideos%2F654275415827887%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">Alex was taken back to the sanctuary where his fleece which was “sodden with rain, urine, twigs, bark, beetles and maggots” was removed.</p> <p dir="ltr">”A fleece so matted and dense that at first it stubbornly refused to cede to the shears,” they revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But somehow it miraculously did. All 40 kg of it!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Alex will remain at the sanctuary for the rest of his hopefully long life.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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‘Vulnerable’ woman murdered on morning walk

<p>A woman has been molested and killed during her regular morning walk in Auckland and New Zealand Police have already arrested one man in the murder investigation.</p> <p>The body of Lena Zhang, also known as Lena Zhang Harrap, was found in an area of bush on Wednesday afternoon in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert.</p> <p>The 27-year-old, who has Down Syndrome, was reported missing just hours earlier after leaving her home. She left her home around 6.30 am to go for her regular walk to Ōwairaka Domain but never returned.</p> <p><strong>Suspect will appear in court today</strong></p> <p>A 31-year-old man will appear in court today faced with the murder and sexual violation of Lena Zhang.</p> <p>New Zealand Police said they received a significant amount of information from the public following an appeal they made to the public after Zhang’s body was found, to help identify a person of interest they were trying to locate in relation to the murder.</p> <p>Police had uncovered photos of the “person of interest” via CCTV footage. At the time he was wearing a blue jumper and had been captured on CCTV near the area where Lena’s body was found on Wednesday morning.</p> <p>As a result of this appeal and the use of CCTV footage, this man was found in a vehicle in Papatoetoe - around 20km away from Mt Albert - at 1.30 am on Thursday and was arrested.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0c976aa1225549908cd0156d8ee74c41" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844362/lena-person-of-interest-um_blurred.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0c976aa1225549908cd0156d8ee74c41" /></p> <p>Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said police hoped news of the arrest would provide some reassurance to the local community.</p> <p>Police were not currently seeking anyone else in relation to the murder, however enquiries continued into the investigation with a fresh appeal for sightings of a car.</p> <p><strong>Zhang’s family and the community are devastated by her death</strong></p> <p>Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said Zhang’s family are understandably devastated by her death.</p> <p>“Lena was a young lady, she was small in stature, she was vulnerable,” said Inspector Pascoe.</p> <p>He added she was a “loving and caring person” who was raised to be independent.</p> <p>“Whoever the offender or offenders are, they’ve targeted a vulnerable member of our community which is just appalling,” Pascoe said.</p> <p><strong>StarJam pays tribute to Lena</strong></p> <p>StarJam, an organisation which uses music, dance and performance to connect young people with disabilities, have paid tribute Lena saying she was a "true Jammer".</p> <p>A Facebook post said: “For over 12 years, Lena has been a true Jammer in Auckland Magic Movers and more recently the Central Alumni All Stars; greeting everyone with her infectious smile, genuine heartfelt support and inviting her fellow Jammers up to join her Spot the Talents. Lena, you will always be in our hearts – our thoughts go out to your family and friends.’”</p> <p>Ella Stuart who worked at StarJam said Lena brought a special touch of magic to the stage: "It was such a privilege to know Lena - she was always so enthusiastic with everything she did and her love of dancing was truly wonderful to watch. She put the 'magic' in Magic Movers! She will be so missed and in our hearts and memories always."</p> <p><em>Image: NZ Police</em></p>

Legal

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Walking amongst mountains and glaciers at Mt Cook

<p><em><strong>Justine Tyerman is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris.In this piece, she finds one of the only flattish walks in the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park.</strong></em></p> <p>The ranger at the information centre gave me a peculiar look when I asked about flat walks in the area.</p> <p>"I don’t really do hills," I said to the impossibly-fit young fellow who looked as though he could sprint up Mt Cook before morning tea.</p> <p>Without displaying too much overt disdain at having to tear himself away from a real McCoy mountaineering pair who were seeking advice before setting off to tackle the Caroline Face with their crampons and ice-axes, he indicated that inferior species such as ourselves might like to attempt the hike up the Hooker Valley – apart from the walk from the carpark to the Hermitage, this was one of the few flat walks in Mt Cook National Park, which was, by definition, rather more full of mountains than flat places.</p> <p>Ignoring his scorn, we laced up our tramping boots, took up our day packs with survival gear just in case, grasped our walking sticks and headed for the track. We might have been mere day hikers but we were keen to look the part in this hearty alpine environment… as opposed to the Japanese ladies with their parasols and high heels and the Aussies with their jandals, or thongs as they call them.</p> <p>After we had successfully negotiated our way out of the carpark, we crossed a swing bridge, skirted around a cliff face on a well-formed track with safety rails, ambled up a wide valley with a profusion of wild flowers, along a board walk to protect the delicate eco-system, past a sobering memorial to all those who had gone beyond the flat walks and died trying to climb the peaks in the park… and then quite suddenly, we were in the presence of the almighty Aoraki, the Cloud Piercer – although there were no clouds to pierce that day.</p> <p>No matter how often we view her and from what angle, Mt Cook is a stunner. I had an overwhelming sense of spiritual ownership that Maori talk of when they refer to their maunga, their mountain.</p> <p>There are few places in the world where you can stroll through spectacular alpine terrain right to the foot of the country’s highest peaks in an hour or so without guides, oxygen and a team of sherpas or yaks carrying your life’s necessities for the next few months.</p> <p>Sitting at the foot of our mountain, eating our sandwiches in T-shirts and shorts on a clear summer day, we watched a group of elderly German hikers peel off, fold and carefully place every item of their clothing on a rock before donning swim suits for a dip in the Hooker Glacier lake, complete with icebergs.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36641/in-text_498x245.jpg" alt="In -text (2)" width="498" height="245" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Justine at the glacier lake. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>Hmmm… swimming with the icebergs. Not likely to catch on in a big way, but a fascinating spectator sport all the same. Pretending the water was not ridiculously cold seemed to be part of the ritual which they had evidently performed many times before around the world.</p> <p>As the only non-German, non-swimmers in the immediate vicinity, we were asked to be official photographers of the event. Sadly, we never thought to record it on our own camera.</p> <p>We couldn’t drag ourselves away from the national park that day and decided to pitch our wee tent just down the road at Glentanner camping ground where we could commune with Aoraki a while longer, and watch her in the splendour of sunset and sunrise.</p> <p>As the sun dropped behind Aoraki’s massive bulk painting the snow-topped peak pink and scarlet and gold, the view from our tent awning was far superior to even the best suite at The Hermitage. It gave us a smug sense of satisfaction… along with the exhilaration of having climbed to the dizzy height of at least 150 metres on our eight-kilometre flattish walk.</p> <p>Next day, I watched Aoraki, as I always do, until she dropped out of sight just beyond Lake Tekapo knowing we would see her again in her winter uniform a few months later.</p> <p><em>Justine Tyerman travelled courtesy of <strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.lovehomeswap.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Love Home Swap</span></a></strong> and <strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.jucy.co.nz/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">JUCY Rentals</span></a></strong>.</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Walking China’s “Plank Road in the Sky”

<p>Clenching the rusted metal chains bolted to the rock wall does little to help subside the anxiety of the thousands of metres vertical drop we are looking at and clipping our carabiners onto a plastic-coated guide wire similar to my mother’s washing line does little to reassure us either.</p> <p>Blindly we put our trust in the thousands of terror-riddled hands that have gone before us and worn the rusted chains smooth, and step out onto the path that lies ahead of us - a walkway constructed of wooden planks resting on steel spikes that are held together by wire and the odd steel pin - a path infamously known as the 'Plank Road in the Sky' on Mt Hua, in China's Shaanxi province.</p> <p>Leaving the warmth of a newly commissioned bullet train hours earlier, the piercingly cold and misty winter’s morning hinders our search for a local bus heading to one of China's five great mountains.</p> <p>The sacred mountain of the West is revered by Taoists and Buddhist, and has been adorned with temples and shrines for thousands of years, with Taoists believing in the mountain lives the god of the underworld.</p> <p>After a bus and the not-so-helpful advice from the usual hawkers we find ourselves in a frozen gondola creeping our way out of the mist. Through the clouds the striking peaks of Mt Hua arise. Consisting of five main peaks with the highest being the South summit, reaching 2,154 metres.</p> <p>Unnervingly, we are dragged towards the towering stone walls by cables rolling over neighbouring mountain tops. With the end of the line entering a tunnel carved into the face of the mountain, we enter the heart of Mt Hua. Climbing a few stairs delivers us out into the blue skies, sunshine and the true magnitude of where we have arrived.</p> <p>Perched on the top of razor sharp ridge-lines paths etched in stone lead mobs of festive Chinese tourists from peak to peak. Caught up in the madness we scramble to the top of the first peak, shedding layers of clothes as we climb.</p> <p>At the top we are greeted with staggering views of the surrounding peaks floating amongst the clouds. Even a local shirtless man overwhelmed with excitement joins us as we pose for pictures. The attempt to exchange some tangible conversation is short-lived and instead the gleaming smiles of excitement about the experience are exchanged.</p> <p>Cautiously we descend the first peak and begin to follow the paths leading around the mountain tops. With ample signage warning about the strikingly obvious risks of falling off the paths, we are supported on the icy stone steps by the odd chain link fence or branch blocking a route that has since perished. Even with all the apparent danger it is common practise for many visitors to scale the mountain in the morning darkness to avoid the fear of what they are climbing.</p> <p>After many relentless climbs from peak to peak we reach the main drawcard for many visitors to Mt Hua: The Plank Road in the Sky; a crudely built, but surprisingly robust, pathway wrapping it's way around a perilous cliff-face. With the exchange of a few coins to the teenage gatekeeper we are granted access, two well-used chest harnesses and a silent demonstration of how to clip a carabiner on and off.</p> <p>Setting off with the rising fear of my partner's father being of a greater danger to me now (if he ever finds out what I have lead his daughter in to) than this plunging drop into the valley below, we join the frightening but somewhat entertaining journey to what must have to be the most delicately-placed shrine in the world. With the ducking and bobbing of on-coming traffic (it is a two-lane, two-foot-wide pathway) it is not long until we reach the shrine and return with a couple of photos safety stored in our cameras.</p> <p>With the easing of adrenalin and the return of our gear to the gatekeeper we join the throng of fellow visitors still simmering with the excitement of the day’s activities, and head towards the exit signs.</p> <p>Descending from the sacred mountain in the clouds we pass people surrounding a path-side stall getting padlocks engraved for prayer to their families or as sign of everlasting love that will be locked shut on the mountain.</p> <p>Among them we notice our shirtless friend. He has found himself a shirt and as he too notices us he casts the same wide smile we were greeted with earlier. Smiling back we pass by and drop into the cold mist, safely making our way to the valley floor we thought we would be falling to not long before.</p> <p>After reading that thrilling account do you think you’d ever be brave enough to walk the 'Plank Road in the Sky'? Have you ever been to China?</p> <p>Please let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by James Thomson. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/05/demand-for-bottled-air-in-china-surges/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Bottled air becomes the hottest new product in China</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/05/world-heritage-sites-under-threat-from-industrial-activity/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>World Heritage Sites under threat from industrial activity</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/04/new-law-in-china-says-adult-children-must-visit-parents/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>New law in China says adult children “must visit parents”</strong></em></span></a></p>

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