Climbing Mount Fuji recently has been quite an adventure. So I decided to write down my experience. 🗻
When people think of me they will not immediately describe me as "athletic”. That is okay, because I am not. I like to play the occasional game of soccer or volleyball with friends, but I can't say I'm good at it.
When I am on a trip, I am constantly walking. There is often a lot to see. I also like walking trails that take you through beautiful sceneries. But even on the busiest of days, I'm back in a hotel in the evening, resting my legs. So it’s not really that intense as well.
Mount Fuji is a different story. I have seen this Japanese volcano from a distance several times during previous trips. In preparation for the most recent trip though, a fellow traveler expressed the desire to climb this iconic mountain. At that time, I had not yet decided whether I would go along or not. It wasn’t something that seemed appealing. More likely it would be a hassle, too difficult, probably inconvenient....
But watching sunrise at a height of almost 3,800 meters did sound appealing. So I gave it some thought and eventually I decided to participate. Not only because of that sunrise, but also because I think it’s good to challenge oneself every now and then, and to get out of my comfort zones.
The big day arrived. After an early alarm and many train transfers, we boarded the bus that took us to the 5th station of the Subashiri trail. This is at an altitude of 1950 meters. We started with a large meal for power and tried to get used to the thin air before we began our ascend.
The first 100 meters are friendly, with nicely constructed steps that lead you into the forest. But the path soon turns into a steep, rock-dominated trail, where you have to take calculated steps in order to proceed.
Above the tree line, the trail zigzags its way up. We climb rocks, while trying to avoid slipping due to the loose rock and volcanic ashes.
Along the way, there are several stations where you can take a rest, get some food and drinks, make a sanitary stop, and spend the night if booked in advance. Our first goal was to reach Miharashi-kan, located at 3200 meters altitude. The view from there was already breathtaking. We were warmly welcomed by the staff and served a delicious curry to regain our depleted strength.
And then it was time to go to bed! At 8 p.m. everyone tries to catch some sleep because at 1 a.m. the alarm goes off again. Unfortunately, a migraine attack hit me. Very frustrating. Someone can prepare well or prepare poorly, and someone can be fit or not fit and generally that’s something you can influence, but I never asked for migraines. A worrisome development, especially because I had no choice but to continue. Migraine or not, we have to continue up that volcano, and after that we need to descend as well.
At 1:30 in the morning, we were sort of ready to continue the climb. My sore limbs and the migraine made the night climb very difficult. In addition, it was very crowded once we got closer to the summit. The path became narrower and the train of people moved forward very slowly, and often even standing still. The sky was already beginning to lighten and for a moment we were worried that we wouldn't arrive at the summit in time for sunrise.
But we did! We had reached the summit and, along with hundreds of other climbers, we looked at the rising sun. We couldn't have wished for better weather too, it was really clear! ☀️
But then that climax is over. And then fatigue and headaches take over, making me want to leave as soon as possible. A feeling that only increased when the walk around the crater turned out to be a much longer walk than expected.
The way up was tough, but there was the anticipation of reaching the goal. The way down was ten times as hard, because a pounding head, an aching body and lack of sleep makes you long for a hotel room to recover, which at that moment is still hours and hours away. Hours in which you mainly try to walk down paths of sand, pebbles and volcanic ash without falling (I failed).
The whole adventure is, not gonna lie, a succession of highs and lows.
In the end, I was able to reach the starting point. Thanks in no small part to my lovely traveling companions. We laughed together, complained together, supported each other. We helped each other through the tough moments. We immortalized the beautiful moments with our smartphones. ❤️
