THE ASCENT

Starting from the 5th station the trail is horizontal and in a clockwise direction through wooded slopes. Surprisingly, it actually goes downwards shortly after starting off on your climb, although you do not recognize the extent of the decent readily in the darkness, and through a wooded area. Upon reaching the 6th station you may find a local person handing out informational safety leaflets to everyone that passes. Request one in English if you cannot read Japanese.

From this point onwards the climb is upwards and above the tree line. During a full moon you can get a rough idea of how high the mountain is, although it is somewhat deceptive. You will also now be above the tree line and see the lights shining in the mountain huts further up the mountain. The ascent and decent paths are separate but parallel to each other with the ascent path to the right and well lit by climbers and mountain huts and the decent to the left in darkness and almost beyond shouting distance.

Sunrise will occur somewhere around 4 to 4.30 am. At this time you will probably have reached one of the higher stations, where it is a good idea to eat some breakfast as you watch the sunrise. In my case, I watched the sunrise from the Original 8th Station at 3,360m before greasing up thoroughly with suntan cream and lighter clothing to continue my ascent for another 2 hours or so to reach the top of the crater.

You will probably find you rest much more frequently between stations as you climb higher, due to the altitudes effect upon your body, so do not pay too much attention to posted climbing times. If you listen to the conversations of your fellow Japanese climbers and what the guide books say about climbing times between stations you soon learn that neither of them match. Experienced Japan hands will recognize the same about the distances on local road signs where you can often travel 5 miles closer to your destination and still be told you are 5 miles further away than when you started !

Confusion will also arise around the 8th station where there is the old and new 8th station. Just keep heading upwards and everything will be ok.
 

Summit         3776m

Crater top
 
9th Station    3600m     From original 8th to crater top 80 minutes

Original 8th Station    3360m
80 minutes
8th Station    3020m
100 minutes
7th Station    2700m    First Aid Station from 7/17 to 8/20
60 minutes
6th Station    2390m    Mt. Fuji Safety Center
45 minutes
5th Station    2305m    Bus terminal, shops, toilets and Police Box

4th Station    2010m    From 3rd to 5th station 60 minutes

3rd Station    1840m

2nd Station    1700m     From 1st to 3rd station 65 minutes

1st Station    1520m
170 minutes
Fuji Sengen Shrine

Return to:
Greetings
Safe trekking advice
Introduction to Fuji
Getting to Fuji
Climbing up
The summit
Climbing down
What to take with you
Last thoughts
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