On Saturday May 27th to Sunday May 28th, 9 IB students in first and second year participated in our biggest CAS hiking trip this school year, over the Hira mountain range in Shiga Prefecture. Following a 15 km course with an elevation gain of about 1000 meters, this hike was certainly a challenge. By working together to take on this challenge, students practiced being caring, one of the 10 IB Learner Profile attributes, and were rewarded with stunning views over the surrounding mountains, forest scenery and Lake Biwa. This year, the IB 2 students took on the additional challenge of staying overnight on the mountain. There are no facilities on the mountain, so students had to learn how to wilderness camp and how to make use of the resources provided by nature, which was a new and exciting experience for all students.