Peaking on Fuji
Sep 5th, 2008 by Ad Blankestijn
A record number of climbers scaled Japan’s Mount Fuji during the summer season, according to The Associated Press. During this year’s climbing season (July & August) 247,066 people scaled the 3,776-meter high sacred peak.
Death and injuries also rose – four climbers breathed their last in the mountain’s purified air.
Surprisingly, many people seem to think of Fuji’s formidable cone as just another tourist outing, and show up on the steep slopes full of sharp volcanic sand in beach sandels or designers clothing.
See this excellent site Introduction to Mt Fuji Climbing by Scott P. Keehn for sound advice before trying this adventure yourself next year.
Also remember that Mt Fuji is a volcano, which had its last eruption as recent as 1707.
That is insane that that many people climb Fuji in so short a time. Why don’t they limit the numbers.
I know Fuji is sacred but it seems everyone, Japanese included, climb it just to climb it.
In the US, there is a popular mountain to climb in California called Mount Whitney which is 14,500 feet. The Park Service limits the number of people who can climb it during the summer but it still can be very crowded.
Nippon Blogger mailed me that he had a problem posting his comment and asked if I could do it for him. Here it is:
Quote
Tornadoes28,
I agree with the idea of limiting numbers. The mountain is simply being loved
to death. Check out my blog
post on the subject.
Also check out the blog, In the
Pines, which has some information on Mt. Ontake, another of Japan’s volcanoes
that I find much more appealing than ol’ Fuji.
-Nippon Blogger
Website: http://www.blognippon.blogspot.com
unquote