 |
| The Inn Where We Spent the Night at Mt Fuji Area |
Though we did not plan to climb Mt. Fuji, but once we had a taste of it yesterday, we decided to take up the challenge.
We were able to find a room without a lot of difficulty at $60.00 a night and stayed overnight at the foot of Mt. Fuji. We look forward to climbing the mountain today.
 |
| Beautiful Pruning in a Backyard Close to the Train Station |
Unfortunately, the rental shop which was a reasonable size did not accept visa cards.
This was what we learned in Japan on this trip - a lot of the merchants refused to take credit cards which left us no choice but to use cash. We were running low on Japanese yens therefore we needed to conserve our cash.
 |
| Kawaguchiko Station - Where We Took the Bus to the 5th Station, Mt. Fuji |
However, we had a heck of a time last night trying to reach our son and informed him of our unplanned overnight stay at Mt. Fuji. We were supposed to meet him for dinner in Tokyo, but we were in Mt. Fuji instead. Our cell phones did not work in Japan; our computer crashed.
The inn where we stayed last night provided WiFi but we did not have a working computer. Eventually, we managed to send an email to Er. using a guest's computer so that he. would not worry about us.
After a good night sleep and a decent breakfast in the morning at the inn, we caught the bus which took us to the 5th Station on Mt. Fuji. This time we were ready for the climb. We both had long sleeve warm sweaters, long pants, running shoes and enough food and water to last us for a day.
We bought the necessity as recommended by the innkeeper such as this Mt. Fuji set. We did not understand why we needed the two plastic bags. But once we got up to the 5th station to begin our climb, the two plastic bags made sense to us.
 |
| Mt. Fuji as seen from the 5 th Station |
As soon as the bus dropped us off at the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji, it was around 9:45am. we started hiking right away.
As we started hiking up the Yosida Trail, we saw many people descending the mountain including a large group of young Japanese children who were dressed in their full mountain climbing gear, each with a knapsack on his or her back.
 |
| Japanese children descending Mt Fuji as we ascended |
Wow! The Japanese kids start their physical training very early.
As an educator I could not help but thought if the schools in Canada would allow young school children undertake this strenuous activity.
 |
| The climb started with small paths like this |
I wondered if these children had finished their hike up to the top already this early in the day or if they hiked up part of the way only.
The trails up to Mt Fuji are divided into ten stations. Most people start their climb at the 5th Station.
 |
| The paths to Mt. Fuji got higher and harder and narrower |
From 5th Station to the 6 th Station, the trails were reasonable, not too difficult.
We walked on trails paved with small rocks.
 |
| The way up Mt. Fuji was well marked with ropes |
As we went higher, the trails got steeper and narrower.
For a large part of the trail, it was well marked with ropes.
As long as we stayed withing the ropes on both side, there was little chance of us getting lost in the daytime.
The distance and time it took to reach the summit was clearly stated along the trail.
From the 5th Station where most climbers start to the summit, is about 6 Km and it would take about six hours.
 |
| Climbing Mt. Fuji is a tradition for Japanese - young and old alike |
Since we started at around 10a.m. we expected that we would reach the summit around 4p.m.
 |
| Families like this one climbing together |
There were many climbers, including families with young children, boys and girls alike climbing together.
The children might be a little slow; there were a lot fo encouragement from their parents, patiently waiting for them to catch up with the adults.
Climbers were all properly attired for the climb, except for a few impulsive tourists like us.
 |
| Dad was always there to give a shoulder to ride on |
It was not an easy climb, but the children we met on our climb pressed on and persisted without much complaining or making a big deal out of it.
Eventually, some children got too exhausted or tired, their parents, such as this father here came to the rescue.
 |
| One can hire a horse to do the climbing up to a certain height |
Or one could try an alternate way to experience the climb up to Mt. Fuji.
There are horses for hire at the 5th Station. Not sure how high the horse could go though.
 |
| The rest stations are a welcome sight |
All along the trail, there were welcome sights of rest stations.
 |
| Beautiful view from the rest station - weather permitting |
 |
| Putting a Stamp on Climbers' Walking Sticks |
About every 800meters, we would see one of these stations and take rest on the benches.
Every rest station provided services such as selling food and drinks, engraving stamps on climbers' walking sticks.
For 200 yens, climbers could get a stamp at each rest station commemorating
the distance and their climb.
 |
| Clean Washroom Facility on Mt.Fiji |
There were ample clean washroom facilities provided at these resting stations.
Climbers were reminded to deposit 200 yens into a box every time they used the facility.
But unlike our experience in Paris where there was a washroom officer enforcing the washroom user fee, it was an honour system on Mt. Fiji and most people always tried to respect that.
 |
| Climbers can stay the night at some rest stations - reservations highly recommended |
Many climbers were smart enough to split the climb into two days and reserve a place to sleep at one of these rest stations.
We noticed that there were many people starting the ascend same time as we did. But as the day went by, we saw less and less of them. By the time we reached the 9th Station, there were very few climbers left.
 |
| Parts of the climb to the summit were quite challenging |
Looking back we understood that they were the smart ones who took refuge in one of these rest stations for dinner and for a night of accommodation.
We simply pressed on trying to get to the top.
How we wish we spent the night on the mountain in one of those inns!
 |
| Very cloudy sky and unpredictable weather on Mt Fuji |
The weather condition was unpredictable.
One moment was a bright sky and seconds later it was so cloudy that we could hardly see anything down below.
We started with a very nice sunny day but for most our climb that day, unfortunately it was cloudy.
As we went higher, it was more difficult to breath.
By the time to got to the 9th Station, we had to stop, rest and catch our breath after every fifteen steps. The Rest Stations sold oxygen in a can and the prices of these cans were marked higher as the altitude increased.
 |
| Almost There!!! Just Past the 9th Station Mark! |
Finally at the 9th Station, we bought a can at 1700 yens ( about Can. $17.00) .
It was supposed to be good for about 40 puffs. My husband and I took turn to take puffs from the oxygen can and it helped me a lot, but did not do so much for him.
My hubby was clearly out of breath and he told me that his heart was pounding very fast. I noticed him struggling and slowing down a lot.
 |
| The Last Marker Bright Enough for Us to Read Before Reaching the Summit of Mt. Fuji |
We saw the sign ahead us that read 400m to Mt. Fiji Summit. I tell you that 400mwas the longest and the most difficult distance we ever hiked, climbed in our lives.
 |
| 200 M to the Summit of Mt. Fuji! Almost there!!! We were above the clouds! |
Our feet were as heavy as lead and we were totally exhausted at the same time unable to breath properly. I was glad that we had that oxygen can with us.
We did get to the summit of Mr. Fuji!!! We were very proud of ourselves!!
 |
| A View from the Top of Mt. Fuji in the Evening! |
R.T.
Mt. Fuji Summit
Aug 29, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment