Japan - Mt.Fuji

Looks like a simple mountain, but Mt.Fuji is nothing usual.  One of the highest free stand mountain in the world - the weather is a constant battle, the gradient of the slope causes easy exhaustion, the strong wind which can blow a human away, there is no cover the whole way means sun exposure is extreme. However, Mt.Fuji is a most climbed mountain with more than 300,000 climbers each year.

I choose the most popular Yoshida Trail. Not the longest nor the shortest trail from the north east corner, it is brighter if sunny and start at the 5th station which is at 2300M height.  The reason is I am climbing alone and want to complete the summit and down in a single day.  The normal climb takes 2 days 1 night as most climbers want to experience the sun rise.  I prefer to climb at day time so that I can enjoy the view all the way up and down.

Fuji-San, view from Kawaguchiko, Aug 2011.

It was a perfect day, clear and sunny.  I was real lucky as Mt.Fuji weather is famous for un-predictable. From Kawaguchiko Rail Station, I took the 7.20am bus to the Fuji Subaru 5th Station.  Once arrived, I started the climb right away at 8.30am.

The first section before the 6th station was easy with covered forest, making it very pleasant with lot of green and fast as there is no wind here.  I was ahead of schedule for 30mins.

From 6th to 7th station, it is all zigzag trail.  Some more, this is not a natural trail as it is a man-made trail.  The trail is covered with small rock, in which in my opinion is hiker worst nightmare as it could hurt ankles easily.  I prefer solid ground as it helps to balance my body weight.  I took the same amount of time as the guideline, and almost exhausted as I needed to stop every 5 minutes to adjust to the altitude.

Mt.Fuji 7th station onward, Aug 2011.

The gradient of the slope is one of the toughest kind - 45degree. Addon the strong chill wind and sun the same time (absolutely no cover), makes 4 death before climbing season start. 

From the 7th station onward, the trail is with volcanic rock - sharp and steep making it required hand to climb.  This section is the toughest as steep altitude, narrow trail, dangerous as no mistake allowed.  If not, it will definitely get hurt.  It took me more than the usual time to get to the 8th station, I am merely making my schedule.

Mt.Fuji 8th Station at 3250M, Aug 2011.

The higher I got, the more I needed to stop and adjust to the altitude and catch my breath.  Once past 8th station, there is no turning back. For a short height of 700M, it took 2 hours to cover from 8th to 9th and 9th station to the summit.  I passed the final Torii Gate at 2.23pm.

Mt.Fuji Torii Gate, Aug 2011.

Mt.Fuji Summit, Aug 2011.

On the summit, it is like a little city and even got vending machine for drink.  Below the row of souvenir shops, it lays the crater.  It is allowed to hike around the crater, about 1.5 hours.  Well, Mt.Fuji it is an active volcano but "low risk".  There are two more little hills behind, but the view is better around for photograph. I took my time with all the photos.  Then, I took a seat, enjoy the view, have my sandwich, drink my little can of coffee I braught all the way up.  Still enjoy my coffee anytime and everywhere I go :-)! Having the best time of my life.

Mt.Fuji Summit, Aug 2011.

As the way up, I didn't feel my legs, ankles nor feet hurt.  And yoga training help with the breathing on high altitude.  But on the way down, the going down trail is worse.  As I needed to keep up with the speed to reach the foothill before sun down.  First, I used my left leg a lot when I hike up and I can feel the ligament is pulling when I hike down.  Then, I used my right leg a lot and the 4th tose on my right foot got a big blister, break and the whole skin tear off.  Last, the 3rd tose on my left foot, the nail is bruise.  I keep going till I got to the starting point at 5.30pm.

Well, it is worth it for Mt.Fuji.  My sock has a big hole, my boot is completely out.   My legs, ankles and feet are totally not mine. Hey, but I am safe and mission completed!

After note - I realise how fortunate and lucky I was, daring to climb Mt.Fuji alone.  With the number of death and injury, on top, the cost to be moved down the mountain is huge if it ever happen.  After I completed the climb, only I thought of all the consequences that could have happened.  I was alone, with no special equipment, no water or wind proof jacket, not even grove.  I just climb, as I love it!