CLIMBING MOUNT FUJI!!!

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Last weekend I went to Mount Fuji with the Hiroshima AJET group. We travelled by bus and it took us around12 hours to get there. We left at 5:20am from Hiroshima bus center and drove until 6pm. The bus brought us to Station #5 on the mountain, which is about half way up. From there we had 1 hour to eat dinner and get changed, and then we began the climb. From station 5 we had to climb to station 9, and then another 90 minutes to the summit. It took us from 7pm until 5am to get to the top! 10 hours! It was so challenging that closer to the top we were stopping for 1 minute breaks about every 10 minutes. I had no idea it would be such a challenge! By 12:30am everyone was completely exhusted so we decided to rest for a few hours. Our choices were either paying 2,000 Yen ($20ish) to sit in a "restaurant" for 2 hours, or to pay 3,000 Yen ($30ish) to be able to sleep inside for 7 hours. We decided to pay the 3,000 Yen to have a place to lay down for a while. Well, for the steep price we were each given a narrow space on a damp (and more than likely moldy) futon. Everyone was so cold (and shivering) that we only ended up staying for an hour, and then we decided we would be more comfortable if we just got up and continued climbing.
By this time there were so many others climbing the mountain that we literally were lining up to climb, and we had to wait in line for every step we took. Because of this, it took us forever to reach the top, and we barely made it in time to watch the sunrise. We arrived at the summit at 5am, and the sunrise was at 5:10am... very close call! After exploring the top of Mount Fuji we turned around and started the descent. In all honesty, I think the descent was worse because by this point everyone was tired and careless... I for one could barely feel my legs! So yeah, it took us about 3.5 hours to go down the mountain, and although it was still before 9am, I managed to get a sunburn on my face. Note: When you are above the clouds and in the sun... wear sunblock!
So, that was my Mount Fuji adventure.

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Photos

Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji from Station #5

Mount Fuji
Ready to climb!!

Group Photo
These are the other English teachers who were there to climb Mt. Fuji.

Man doing the stamping
As you climb Mount Fuji you can have your walking stick (which is the most popular souvenir) stamped at each station. This man was at station #7.

Stacey, Me, and Heather
Climbing is tough.. we needed quite a few breaks!

Me
This headlamp saved me a lot of frusteration on the hike. If anyone ever wants to climb Fuji at night, recommend one! The headlamp enabled me to use my hands for pulling myself up rocks instead of trying to hold a flashlight.

The girls
This is us trying to make the most of our damp/moldy beds

Casey and Jeff
Trying to stay positive.. even when freezing at 2:30 am

Jeff's friend and Heather
Trying to stay positive.. even when freezing at 2:30 am

Sunrise!
Sunrise from the top made the climb worthwhile!

Sunrise!
All bundled up to watch the sunrise

Goal accomplished!
Me at the top of Mount Fuji!

Goal accomplished!
Me at the top of Mount Fuji!

Canadian flags
I never thought I would find Canadian flags at the top of Fuji, but I was happy to see that someone was representing!

The trail down
The trail down was much different from the trail up in that it did not involve climbing over boulders, however, it was all loose dirt and gravel, and that made it very frusterating for jelly legs!

Comments

[Mom]

Mt. Fuji
Heh - I like your new hiking gear - good colour on you. Wait till your Dad sees your headlamp - he'll be wanting one too! Luv U Mom

[Larry]

Scenery
Awesome pics. 10 minutes, just in time. Seems like it was worth the hike.