Do's and Don'ts for the 2007 Mt Fuji Climbing Season.

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Hanuman Welch

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 altitude, heat, dehydration, and long lines of guided tour groups all combine to make your experience truly your own, some things to take into consideration.

First, one needs to decide whether or not they want to be part of the aforementioned 'guided' tour groups. This essentially means that your ascent, and descent, will only be as expeditious as your slowest member. I strongly advise against this. Create your own group of three to four friends and hustle at your own pace.

Secondly, now that your group has been assembled you must choose which prefecture to begin and end in. There are two ascent and descent trails that straddle the mountain. They will take you into either the Yamanashi prefecture or the Shizuoka prefecture. My experience was of the former.

Now that you have your group and your trail set up, the last thing to do is book accommodations. There are a vast number of huts that dot Fuji's face. These huts provide essentials; water, snacks, oxygen, and the like. Interspersed between these huts are stations. These are larger and better stocked. These stations are also where the prepared climber will have reserved a cot and a meal. Stations seven and eight are the most popular to rest and mingle with your fellow climbers. I strongly recommend resting for at least seven hours at one of these two stations. Not only to combat the effects of altitude sickness, but to also resupply and get changed into your warmer climbing gear. Yes you need a change of warmer climbing gear. It might be a sweltering August day at sea level but it's below freezing at thirteen thousand feet above sea level.

Fed, rested, and layered after some hours of sleep, you are now prepared for the big push to the summit to catch the sunrise. I began my final ascent at eleven p.m. and reached the top at four thirty a.m.,just to give you a loose window. The final uphill slog is aided immensely by the use of a head lamp, twenty bucks at any outdoor store. Since the thousands of people on the mountian are all headed to the top for the same reason as you, things can get a little cut throat on the way up. Wheezy puffs of 'Dozo' and 'Su Mi Ma Sen' can be heard everywhere. Just watch your shoulders so your not bowled over by some geriatric tour group. Finally as the first whispers of pink and violet begin lighting the night sky, the lines start moving a little quicker. Hopefully you make it to the top to experience the full thirty minute sunrise, complete with the raising of the Japanese flag and singing of the national anthem. Any attempt on my part to desribe the sunrise will fall miserably short compared to viewing it for yourself. Suffice to say it was worth any small discomfort I might have suffered at the hands of Fujisan. This has been, hands down, the most memorable moment of my stay thus far. Reservations for the station packages are easy to find online. I booked mine through a company called Top Tour if it helps. I can't put into words how amazing the experience was. If you are here and you have the resources, you must take it upon yourself to climb Mt. Fuji.