The Mt.Fuji Mega Thread! 富士山

[Gord]

Hey everyone,
It's only a day away from the start of the official climbing season on everyone's favourite Japanese mountain, 富士山! Who's going to climb the mountain this year?

This thread can be where everyone has their questions answered, tells previous climbing stories, plans for this year, anything!

I have two questions that I hope someone knows the answer to. I'm looking forward to buying a climbing stick. Can they be purchased from the 5th station on any side of the mountain? Also, which is the most popular side (or at least the one you recommend)? Thanks guys!

"A wise man climbs Mount Fuji once, but only a fool climbs it twice."

 

[Gord]

oh and another question (and my 100th post!) - if casually climbing, what are the chances to collect all the stamps for the walking sticks? Are the stations fairly easy to find or do they depend on the route taken? Thanks!

 

[deadhippo]

"a wise man climbs Mount Fuji once, but only a fool climbs it twice"

i met one guy who plans to climb it for the fouth time this year
is he still a fool i wonder?

 

[ArmandV]

I have two questions that I hope someone knows the answer to. I'm looking foreward to buying a climbing stick. Can they be bought from the 5th station on any side of the mountain? Also, which is the most popular side (or at least the one you recomend the most) ? thanks guys!

"a wise man climbs Mount Fuji once, but only a fool climbs it twice"

Gee, I didn't know there was more than one 5th station. Ya learn something new every day. The one we went to last summer had a bunch of gift shops (with plenty of bus parking) and I saw people buying climbing sticks.

One thing I did at the 5th station we stopped at was to scatter some ashes of the leader of an organization I belong to.

 

[deadhippo]

Gee, I didn't know there was more than one 5th station. Ya learn something new every day. The one we went to last summer had a bunch of gift shops (with plenty of bus parking) and I saw people buying climbing sticks.

One thing I did at the 5th station we stopped at was to scatter some ashes of the leader of an organization I belong to.

interesting ... i assume you mean the ashes of a deceased person which would mean that you are an accomplice or at least an accessory to a crime if i am not mistaken

 

[ArmandV]

interesting ... i assume you mean the ashes of a deceased person which would mean that you are an accomplice or at least an accessory to a crime if i am not mistaken

No, he died of cancer. It was a small packet. Members were issued packets to scatter around the U.S. and the world. I just happened to choose Mt. Fuji.

 

[DoctorP]

Yes you can buy the sticks at either of the "base camps"!

The stamps are not hard to get...some stations may take a little time, depending upon the crowd on the mountain. I was able to get them all...although you only really need the one at the top...if you get it, it is easy to show that you climbed all the way up...but I understand, I stopped and got them all anyway!

The climb up is quite fun. We did it late at night and stayed at the top to watch the sunrise. The trek down is a ***** though! Make sure you have some good hiking shoes (preferably boots at least ankle high!) Take changes of socks. Take plenty of your own water and food/snacks! Things get expensive on the mountain! And you may want to carry your own toilet paper! If you are climbing at night, I suggest wearing light clothes for the climb, but carry something more warm for when you stop...it gets quite cold at the top. I made the climb with my group in just over 2 1/2 hours...but that was 5 years ago, and I was in much better shape then! It was a test to see how fit I really was...I couldn't do it that fast now! I plan to do it at least one more time, when my boys are a little older! Have a great time!

 

[ArmandV]

We saw from Lake Kawaguchi the lights of the climbers making their way to the top. We were watching a fireworks show at the lake and we wondered what kind of lights or lanterns the climbers carried. I'd imagine flashlights for sure, but the lights we saw were pretty bright. Anyone know?

 

[briareos]

Could those of you who've been to the Fuji area recommend some inns or hotels in the area? Preferably those with staff who understand a bit of English?

 

[cosmotravel]

I would like to climb Mt Fuji on Aug 5 or 6. Can I join a group?

 

[yamada]

If people on this thread are gonna to climb Mt Fuji, dont use cars. I went there this season 10-15 years ago by my motorbyke. Even the motorbykes were stacked on the road. No further roads were made on the mountain.

 

[nice gaijin]

Quite an old thread to revive, yamada-san! I might climb it sometime within the next year. Either way, I'm definitely going to check out Fuji-Q