The not quite noon day sun had already begun baking my skin into a terra cotta shell. Thanks to the terrifying amount of Western European genes afforded to my DNA, this baking would begin a painful week long molting process. Climaxing, when my normally skim milk hued skin, would begin flaking off in sheets. Leaving behind a shiny pink surface that radiates an almost constant sheen of agony. Thanks again genetics, thanks again.

This brings me to my first Do of tackling Fujisan in the summer, the only time of the year that it is safe for the amateur trekker to tackle the mountain, start your descent earlier then you think, even then bring sun block. Eleven a.m. sunshine, at ten thousand feet, in the middle of August, is nothing to be trifled with.
Before... Read More

Recently I led a group of military families on an expedition up Mt Fuji, Japan’s highest peak standing at 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) high. This grandiose mountain, located between Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures, is one of the country’s most famous symbols. Also known as Fuji-san, both travelers and residents of Japan climb this sacred mountain, also a dormant volcano which has not erupted since 1708.

Our group of 17 which consisted of children, marathoners and amateur climbers complete with camelbacks in tow, started the endeavor just before Kawaguchiko 5th Station at approximately 0445 in order to get an early start and view the picturesque sunrise. While another option is to climb at night and spend the evening at one of the rustic mountain huts, our plan entailed an... Read More