Trip to Mount Fuji (富士山)
At 2004/08/11 we started from Kanazawa to climb Mount Fuji. We, that is Felix, Taka, Toshi and I. Mount Fuji with its 3776 metres is Japan's highest and most famous mountain.
At about 9:00 a.m. we started from Kanazawa to Subashiri, where we wanted to start climbin. We went to Toyama and the Japanese Alps, which was the most beautyjul landscape I have seen in Japan until that day. We arrived at about 8:00 p.m. at the Subashiri station (2000 m) of Mount Fuji. Unfortunately, we could not see Mount Fuji because the whole landscape was covered by mist.
And now, it was dark. So we started climbing without having seen the mountain in with our own eyes.
We started climbing at about 8:30 p.m. with two flashlights, some food, warm clothes, raincoats, and hats (these were important!). The way to the summit is well prepared such that there are climbing more than 300.000 people every year to the top of mount Fuji to watch the sunrise. At the beginning we were climbing fast but we had to reduce our velocity because we suffered from oxygene and problems with our feet. But we continued climbing! There was still enough time.
From the 8th station to the end we were not alone any more! There met all 5 routes to the summit. From this point it was a real pilgrimage to the top! Thousands of people were climbing the very steep last part of our way. I would not believe it if I did not see it with my own eyes!
At about 3:30 a.m. we arrived at the houses at the summit. We got it and we were very happy indeed! The sunrise itself was a great thing, too: the Japanese flag was risen while the people were singing and drums were beaten. The natural phenomenon impressed me strongly.
After that we rounded the crater. On this tour we have been to to the highest point of Mount Fuji (3775,67 metres). When the clouds went away we had a very nice view to the surrounding landscape.
After a short breakfast we started climbing down. Now, we realised that the way was very steep. We did not do this at night because we could not see more than 2 metres ahead.
After 4 hours we arrived at Subashiri station and our car. For a short time the mist was gone, and we could watch the summit of Mount Fuji from the station. Now, I was very glad that I did not see that the day before! It is very far! But we got it!
The photos of our stages can be found on the following pages:
Journey to Mount Fuji
Climbing up
Sunrise
Around the crater
Climbing down
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