Have you climbed Mt. Fuji?

[TheNoNamedOne]

If so, how was it?

I climbed it twice -- the first time alone on a mini backpacking trip around Japan and a second time when my sister came to visit with her.

The first one seemed easy. The second one I got some bad headaches 3/4 the way up. It seemed colder and more windy the second time, and I kept thinking about wanting to get down off it.

Also, on the way up the second trip, an old man had a heart attack and died on one of the benches at one of the rest stations. I was sitting there talking to him for a few seconds and then went to get my Fuji stick branded. When I came back to the bench his wife was screaming and crying over him for help. He looked bad and one of the staff said it looked as if he had died.

At that altitude, I don't think help was going to come quickly. Poor guy. But everyone like dutiful ants with a mission, kept inching up the mountain. The world doesn't stop for men dying on mountain sides.

But, not a bad way to go. Imagine hanging around in heaven:

Satoshi: I came here after 6 weeks in the hospitol and 4 weeks in a hospice. How did you get here?
Yusuke: Dude, I friggin bought it on Mt. Friggin Fuji with a friggin fantastic view! Real quick. Never saw it comin. But the view, dude! The view!! Choberigu!

And that is what most people do recall about the climb. The view.

Perhaps that is one of the better ways to go.

If you haven`t climbed it yet, are you planning on doing so?

[DoctorP]

I've climbed it twice. Once with a group and once alone. I did the whole fuji stick thing the first time, spent about Y10,000 on brands I think?

I did night climbs, so the view on the way up was not so great, but I was there for the sunrise and it was totally awe inspiring. That is why I went a second time. I climbed it the first time in about 2 hours. The second time I took my time.

One thing I didn't like was seeing all of the trash and old O2 cans tossed about. I really wish people would learn to pick up after themselves!

You know the old saying right about people who climb it a second time?

[TheNoNamedOne]

Yes, I do.

In short parlance, "Baka!"

[socalheart]

i've never climbed mt. fuji, nor do i ever plan to climb mt. fuji. i did have a friend who climbed it once though. he was in his early forties at the time and relative good physical condition, except for a bum knee. he said that it was one of the best things he ever did, and was going to go lay down for a few days to recover. heh. yeah, not gonna do it. i rode up mt. fuji in a bus once as a kid. i remember playing in the snow at the top. it was a fabulous view. i still wouldn't climb it... then again, if it was the last place on earth with clean water, air and food after a global nuclear holocaust, i'd probably climb it then. heh.

[Fairlady]

I have nevr but I want to, to be honest.

[Bones]

I've made the climb twice as well. There wasn't too much trash on the mountain that I noticed the first time. Took me four hours, a few people turned back, not too many. Taking it easy, it took me about four hours.

Second time took about 6 hours, being a smoker, and old age has taken it's toll.:rolleyes:

Thought about doing it a third time, but I don't want to end up as a casualty.

Both times, even tho I thought I was in pretty good shape, there were people jogging up, and they came back down before I even made it to the top. Are they still doing that?

NBTP

[DoctorP]

There is a race up the mountain every year. But if I remember correctly they run up the decent trail and come back down the same way.

[yokotas13]

nope and dont plan it
i hear, if you climb it, you dont come back to japan


dont wanna chance it

[atb35]

nope and dont plan it
i hear, if you climb it, you dont come back to japan


dont wanna chance it

LOL< that would be interesting. I would like to try while Im here. Dont know anything about it, just would sound better to say....I climbed MT Fuji instead of...I climbed to the top of Cowles MT (one of the bigger hills in San Diego....only like 4k feet:) )

[skipau]

I climbed it... got about 3/4 way up until my friend had a small fall... had to go all the way down again... bummer.

All the effort for going there etc.. prolly won't try again.

[swindland]

One Day I Would Love To Climb Mt. Fuji..but I Need To Get My Arse Back In Shape!!! Lol!!!

[FDokinawa]

Did it once.. wouldnt mind doing it again.

[okiprince07]

I Wouild Love To Go, But How Long Does It Take?

[Fonze]

I Wouild Love To Go, But How Long Does It Take?

It should not matter if you would love to go.:)

[okiprince07]

wanna go but is it hard?

[DoctorP]

wanna go but is it hard?

Rating it from 1 to 10, I'd say it is a 6.

[marleymarl]

Yeah, did it back in 2004....Spectacular view, but it was a bit hazy. Nonethe less, it was great. Got a bit sick on at the top though, 12,000ft :) coming down was like running a marathon....so hard to slow down. I wore out my shoes, had to throw them away. It was really windy going up there. Overall, a cool experience.

[NaNaKo]

Nope and never will. I don't even like walking, except shopping. :p

Now if I can just find someone to carry a stick up to the mountain and burn the brands for me. :D

[okiprince07]

how is the hike up to the top? is it rough? thinking of takeing my wife, but trying to find a tour to go there without spending a lot of money to do it...anyone have any advice?

[HDR-Japan]

I haven't climbed yet, but I really need to while I am out here. :old:

I have known two people who have tried and failed....can't be that easy.

[DoctorP]

I haven't climbed yet, but I really need to while I am out here. :old:

I have known two people who have tried and failed....can't be that easy.

It's not that hard at all. I have seen people in their 60's go up the mountain. IMO going down is harder than going up.

I really want to go participate in the run/race up the moutain that they do each year.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Yeah, at spots depending on how crowded it is, you feel like you are in a Disney attraction line.

Though several people a year usually die during the climb -- usually older people. In fact, on my second climb at the last station they brand sticks before the top, an old man went into a heart attack sitting on one of the small rickety benches they had there.

The second time I climbed it I got severe headaches. I think that, more than the cold at the top, is what limited my time up there. Just wanted to get down to get the headaches gone.

[Cathleen_38]

i never climbed mt.fuji :old::old:my creeky bones couldn't make it to the top!!:old::old::dead::dead::old::old::rolleyes:

[martyman]

I had the opprtunnity to climb fuji three times when I was stationed at Iwakuni. It was quite the experience each time and fairly chep doing the tour group thing.
The first time took about 6 hours stopping at each level to brand the truth stick and having a beer to quench my thirst. We stayed one level below the summit as part of the group. At 4 a.m. we got woke up to hit summit to watch the sun rise. An easy climb just as long as there was room to pass all the folks in line waiting to climb the summit. I took a picture of the sun rise, (not sure how to post on this page)
here is a link to see it: http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/imagesearch.html?handle=martyman&handlebox=1&submit=go

The second and third time averaged 5 hours each to hit the summit. I tried to pace the mailman going to the top to pick up mail. I hate that guy, he seemed to get a lot faster after the 8th level. I had to stop and drink something to catch my breath.

Anyway, the comment about trash from the previous post was apparent on two of the climbs but not the third. Also, I had my climbing (truth) stick stamped the 2nd and third time with the summit stamp to prove I made it to the top.

If you do plan to go, wear the appropriate clothing, light climbing clothes to start, a rain jacket to keep you dry when you get to the top and warm clothes to keep you warm if you decide to spend the night at the rest stop. A camel back for fluids is optional if you dont want to pay the increasing costs for drinks. A comfortable pair of climbing boots or running shoes would be nice. Dont be like the trendies wearing high heels to climb. It looked uncomfortable as heck on the teenage school kids going on there class field trip.

Good luck and happy climbing. :thumbup:

[OkiKat]

There is a race up the mountain every year. But if I remember correctly they run up the decent trail and come back down the same way.

Yeah, the race is every july. I've done it twice - never reached the top. They have two races on that day - both start at Fujiyoshida city hall, the first race is to the top (21k) and the 2nd (the one I did) is to the 5th station (15k). I'm not a runner but was talked into doing it by a runner friend. It was incredibly challenging and a lot of fun. I met some great people including a lot of marines from Iwakuni.

[Nomad]

We plan on taking the kids to climb Mt Fuji this summer. The in-laws live at the top of a mountain in CO, so the kids have been climbing/hiking mountains since they could walk. Actually, before they could walk, as they'd get hauled around in backpacks when they were babies.

Someone mentioned spending the night at the top in order to see the sunrise...was that sleeping under a tree or is there an actual place to stay up there?

[TheNoNamedOne]

More than one kid? Throw one in the crater as a virgin sacrifice to ensure the safe descent of your party. You'll get a cool stamp on your Fuji climbing stick and it'll lighten the load, too.

And you'll be saving tons of money on less grocery bills for the future.

Take pics and have fun!

[DoctorP]

We plan on taking the kids to climb Mt Fuji this summer. The in-laws live at the top of a mountain in CO, so the kids have been climbing/hiking mountains since they could walk. Actually, before they could walk, as they'd get hauled around in backpacks when they were babies.

Someone mentioned spending the night at the top in order to see the sunrise...was that sleeping under a tree or is there an actual place to stay up there?

Actually it is a night climb. You do all of your hiking in the dark, with the trail dimly lit. Depending on how fast you climb you get there at sunrise, or you get there early like we did (around 2:30am) and kill time.

[Nomad]

Wow...I didn't realize that! I might wait a year until the kids are slightly older rather than try to haul all three of them up there when they're normally sleeping. Thanks for the info!

[DoctorP]

Wow...I didn't realize that! I might wait a year until the kids are slightly older rather than try to haul all three of them up there when they're normally sleeping. Thanks for the info!

There are day climbs too, we did the night climb so we could see the sunrise. Spiritual thing you know.

[Nomad]

Ah...gotchya! Well, then maybe we'll do Disney and Fuji in the same trip. "Hey kids...if you make it to the top without bitching so much I pray for God to strike me deaf, we'll take you to Tokyo Disney!"

[DoctorP]

Ah...gotchya! Well, then maybe we'll do Disney and Fuji in the same trip. "Hey kids...if you make it to the top without bitching so much I pray for God to strike me deaf, we'll take you to Tokyo Disney!"


Leave a day of rest between the climb and the park then. It's doable, but between the climb and the walking in the park, you will need a breather.

[billhilly]

2X. First time with a tour group. Did the stick thing and it took forever. Good weather and the view was incredible. Second time, the weather was not so great. 3/4 the was up the wind was blowing so hard, felt like I was getting shot wih a BB gun. Little rocks sting. Both times, I was pawn3d by ancients passing me like I was just learning to walk. My kids are getting older. So, I'll probably do it a couple of more times with them.

[Niner7]

my husband wnated to get married up there. But we ended up going to the court house, maybe we will get there one day. its on the list.

[jml99]

For those who have done it with kids (or not), do you know if there are any recommendations on how old the kids should be before they come along? My husband wants to try it this summer with our baby in one of those backpack carriers. She'll be about 9 months. He's in great shape, but I'm a bit worried about any altitude effects on her. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you!

[okinawa]

Nope, I never did? But I heard that there were 2 mountains to see. One is the one your climbing and the other a mound of crap in the "outhouse" that is frozen. :)

[donny_b]

We are doing a family (5 of us) vacation to Okinawa and Tokyo this summer from Arizona. We will be climbing Mt Fuji on the way home. I've been getting the wife to exercise more to get ready. No excuses not to make it I hope.

[Son Kokujin]

Yep...climbed it in '99. I thing coming down the mountain is actually harder than going up, believe it or not. But the thing I won't forget was while I was looking for a bathroom at the top, I acidentally busted a couple gettin' their freak on near the crater! I simply said nothing, gave them a thumbs up, and about faced. Later, I saw them again @ Roppongi, and they offered me a drink. Hee-larious!

[martyman]

For those who have done it with kids (or not), do you know if there are any recommendations on how old the kids should be before they come along? My husband wants to try it this summer with our baby in one of those backpack carriers. She'll be about 9 months. He's in great shape, but I'm a bit worried about any altitude effects on her. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you!

On my three climbs up Fuji-san, my first was a bit painfull. The altitude caused me to have a serious headache for a few hours. Luckily I was on a tour package through base and we slept for a few hours at the stop below the summit in the rest house/resturant.

MCCS tours on Okinawa that services the Marines suggests not to bring children under five years old on the climb. Hopefully if you decide to brave the hike up the hill with the family, all will be ok. Take care and good climbing! :thumbup1: