also: やまけ
noun
speculative spirit; mountain air
Refers to the atmosphere or spirit of the mountains, often with a sense of speculation or adventure. The reading やまき is most common, but やまけ and やまぎ also appear.
彼は山気に誘われて、未踏の峰を目指した。
Drawn by the speculative spirit of the mountains, he set his sights on an unclimbed peak.
この土地には独特の山気が漂っている。
A unique mountain atmosphere hangs over this land.
山 is the general word for 'mountain', while 山気 specifically refers to the atmosphere or spirit associated with mountains.
Compound of 山 (yama, 'mountain') and 気 (ki, 'spirit, atmosphere'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is conventionally associated with the feeling or essence of mountains.