The Ascent: Fuji-San

The Gear

A couple things to take.  Although it will just be a day climb, we will be going up 3776 meters, so one should be prepared.  Extra shirts & socks, full rain gear, warm clothes (the summit can get quite chilly), towels, gators, head lamps, first aid kit, portable stove, maps, compass, snacks, etc.  But still want to travel as light as possible.

Planning

So first planning had to be done.  There are various books, magazines and maps dedicated to climbing Mt. Fuji.  Also one can find numerous home pages detailing the climb, things to take and pictures of those whom have gone before.

It all started with an email.....

Dear Friends & Family,

Over the years I have made a small list of things I must do in my life.
Having sex with two supermodels on my 100 meter yacht in the Caribbean
obviously is not going to come true, well maybe it still will, but a few are
within my direct control and some are time sensitive.  One was that I would
climb Mt. Fuji and see the sunrise, by the time I reach 40.  After 14 years
in Japan, I still have not achieved that goal and with my 40th B-day next
June, this is the last year for me to do it.

I realized how many of you haven't climbed it either.  Thinking over how
much seems to be going on in all of our lives right now: new babies (3 at my
count), new jobs, new projects (1 hotel, several new companies), nearing
40th B-days (lots of em), weddings (2 I know of) etc.  we all have some good
reasons to get together and climb the thing.

So here is my offer to you all.  Join me for the climb on Saturday,
September 2nd to the 3rd.  The official climbing season ends on August 27th
this year, but the weather is still good for climbing and the crowds will be
smaller with the end of the season.   I will work out the logistics and
plan, just send me a note by August 22nd if you want to join and bring
friends too.  It will be a blast.

-Douglas