CLIMBING MT FUJI (FUJI-SAN) JAPAN
When you ask almost any non Japanese to name five iconic landmarks in Japan, most have Mt Fuji on their list. The Japanese don't even call it a mountain, they call it Fuji-San. Translated as Mr Fuji to show respect to the living object. Standing at 12,388 feet it is the largest volcano in Japan. The last eruption was in December 1707 over 300 years ago. The damage was so bad it hit Osaka 230 miles West and Edo (now Tokyo) 120 miles East. I can't even image the damage it would cause the next time it erupts, but it's estimated to be around 2.5 Trillion Yen or 25 Billion US Dollars.
This would make my third time climbing Fuji-San. First, in 1991 (19) on a day trip with my Navy Command. I made it to level 10, but it was already mid day. Second, in 2001 (29) with Hiromi. We made it to level 7 where we spent the night and to level 10 to see the sunrise the next morning. Third, in 2017 (45) by myself.
A SAFETY WARNING Lots of people climb Fuji- San every day, but don't understand all the dangers. 1) Hydration, 2) Sun burn and 3) Altitude sickness. I thought this was a joke the first time I heard this, but it's real and it's serious danger. With lower oxygen pressure at high altitudes it becomes harder to breath. If you are older or out of shape this is the one that you might consider before you start your climb.
Even though it's free to climb (recommend 1,000 yen donation) nothing is really free. Round trip bus ride 4,500 yen, sleeping place 5,500 yen, two meals 2,500 yen equal to 12,500 yen or US$ 125. Lets not forget the fees to use the bathroom on the mountain that is 200 yen per visit. If you spend the night at one of the station houses toilets are free until you checkout.
Being 45 years old I was thinking this might be my last chance to climb Fuji-San and it was close to the top of my list of things to do while in Japan. I packed everything I thought I would need and a little extra stuff my Father-in-Law thought I would need too. Turned out I only used half of the stuff and a lot of extra weight on my back. I started the day by going to Shizuoka bus/ JR station. The bus leaves once a day to Fuji-San and it's a three hour ride with one stop at another bus station.
After the bus arrived at level 5 (the parking lot) I took my time to get a hot meal before starting my climb. I was off with the clouds rolling in and the sun not really hot. That all changes pretty quickly when I turned around to take in the view, I was above the cloud line and the sun beating down on me. In the past I did not remember the climb being this hard. There is no real level walking trails, its pretty much finding a foot hole in the lava rocks and hope for the best. There are some man mad steps, but a tough climb. The biggest surprise to me was that there was free Wi-Fi not just at the dinning hall area in level 5, but also at the level 8 station house (about 9,900 feet).
I made it to level 8 in about 4 1/2 hours where I made reservation to sleep for the night. Good thing I did as there was some kind of kid field trip where all 72 sleeping area was booked full.
I was dead tired and after dinner I was off to bed, but with kids yelling it was pretty hard. Final around 10pm the lights went out and every kid had to say good night to their friend. By 10:30pm I think everyone has said their goodnight. A few hours latter the staff turned the lights on a 2am for wake up to start the climb to level 10. Someone turn on their radio and said rain is in the forecast around sunrise. I heard that, and rolled over and went back to sleep. I would have had another two hour hike to level 10 meaning that I would have about 4 hour hike down on a slipper lava rock trail. I just slept in and woke up to see the sunrise from my sleeping area window before getting up to make the 2 1/2 hour hike back down before the rain comes. As I stepped off the trail and onto the parking lot road the rain came and it came down in buckets. I was upset that I did not make it to level 10 on my last climb (more than likely) but I think it was a safe and smart decision on my part.
I waited a few hours in the dinning hall area for the bus to arrive to depart back to Shizuoka Bus stop/ JR Train Station. When I arrived back in Shizuoka I walked back home and just as I left the downtown area with roof cover sidewalks the rain came once again and I was soaked head to toe. I looked up and saw Hiromi walk towards me with an extra umbrella where we walk home together.
First thing I did was throw all my cloths in the laundry and took a hot shower and soaked in the tub.
I had a great time climbing Fuji-San, I just wish I was young again. Even though I have climb it two times in the past, this was by far the hardest climb ever. I have not encounter any climb/ hikes like this is America. I thought I was in shape, but after this I'm just lucky to have survived. I was a little dehydrated, my face was sunburned and my feet were water logged.
If you want to see the video I made check out my YouTube link
HERE.
