Anyone been up Mt. Fuji in January weather?

[Mr Doricar]

Is it fucked? Will I die? Will anyone stop me trying to do it? Will my penis fall off with frostbite?

[ttjereth]

Is it fucked? Will I die? Will anyone stop me trying to do it? Will my penis fall off with frostbite?

It's supposedly "closed" during the winter, but I don't know if there are actually people there to stop you from going up.

[Taro Toporific]

It's supposedly "closed" during the winter, but I don't know if there are actually people there to stop you from going up.

People climb on New Years and winter, but it only for experts. You should register with the cops or at Fuji Visitor Center*--they'll check your gear and question your expertise. Most of the FG bozos are told to join one the Japanese club groups who make winter climbs (Japanese "club" activities are seriously unfun).

If you don't register (the cops watch the top with a telescope), you could be fined if you are still alive you get back down---Winter temperatures will drop below -40℃]fuji-v.c@peach.ocn.ne.jp[/email]
HOURS 9:00-17:00
*9:00-18:00(During July,August,&September)
*9:00-16:00(During December,January,&February)

Winter Climbing Recommendations and Precautions
http://live-fuji.jp/fuji/scott/winter.html
During the winter months the management ofGogoen (5th Station) Rest House (on the Kawaguchiko Route) posts a large signboard of recommendations and precautions (in English) for off-season climbers. My posting of this information does not in any way indicate my support for winter climbing on Fuji. I firmly believe that is extremely dangerous, and should not be attempted casually. This information is presented as special safety precautions and should be heeded as such.

Gogoen Rest House is often open during less severe weather conditions, as late as November and as early as April, as long as the Fuji Subaru Line highway is clear. I have taken the liberty of editing the original text for clarity where I deemed necessary. [color="Blue"]My personal comments (should) appear in dark blue.[/color]

1. Mountaineering training in the winter season is [recommended] to be done at the 6th Station under an experienced climber. Training at elevations higher than the 8th Station often involves great risk.

2. A fall usually occurs from losing one's balance, and is often caused by insufficient sleep and overwork. Many climbers, arriving by night train or overnight driving, need a long rest before starting the ascent of the mountain.

3. Make sure your [winter climbing] equipment is in perfect condition. The winter season starts in October and ends the following May. Climbing with light equipment in winter is considered nothing but a suicidal act.

4. Avoid the sheer cliff route, unless you are an experienced climber. [color="Blue"](ed.: the reference here is to take the bulldozer route to ascend, instead of the more direct route up the sometimes-sheer ridge. The bulldozer route is normally the descending route during the regular climbing season. The junction of the two routes is just beyond the Anagoya hut in the 6th Station on the Kawaguchiko Route.)[/color]

5. A terrific gust [of wind] often overtakes you three times consecutively [rapid succession]. Keep yourself lying flat on the slope until it has completely blown over. Danger comes soonest when it's despised. [color="Blue"](ed.: Not to be taken lightly. I have a few newspaper clippings reporting the deaths of people who have been blown off the mountain, perhaps due to lack of caution, during winter climbs.)[/color]

6. In case bad weather should develop, such as storm, rain, snow or dense fog, avoid climbing higher than the 5th Station. When the weather breaks suddenly, give up at the half-way point and return down the mountain immediately. [color="Blue"](ed.: At first glance, this may not make sense. Keep in mind that any roads leading to the 5th Station may be closed during the winter, and climbers may have to start from the base of the mountain. In this case, the 5th Station IS the half-way point.)[/color]

7. Danger of snowslide often follows rain and fresh snow. Pay special attention to the weather forecast. [color="Blue"](ed.: Unless you are fluent in Japanese, or have a Japanese friend, it's not easy to get a weather forecast for Fuji in winter. Try calling or visiting the Fuji Visitor's Center in Kawaguchiko Town.)[/color]

8. All mountain huts except Sato's [Satogoya - usually open all year round] and Gogoen Rest House [usually open through November] at the 5th Station are closed in the winter season. Obtain full information from the persons concerned. [color="Blue"](ed.: I think what they're trying to say here, is that anyone attempting a climb in winter ("the persons concerned") should report the plan ("full information") for their activities to the operators of one of these huts.[/color]

9. Be sure to submit a climber card and take out a mountain [climbing] insurance.
[color="Blue"](ed.: Please Note - I'm only presenting here what the folks at the 5th Station Rest House are trying to put out. The reality is...the climber's card concept fizzled out some years back. But the idea is still good. TELL someone your exact plans and itinerary before you attempt ANY activity on the mountain in winter. And WHY NOT inquire to your favorite local insurance agency if they can write a short term policy to cover accidental death, or hospitalization due to injury, as a result of this activity. Do you have any idea how much a mountain rescue (attempt) costs, or how much the medical bills might be if you are injured? If you don't have insurance, are you prepared to pay in cash? That's the way Japanese hospitals work. No discharge until a cash payment is made or insurance information is provided and confirmed.)[/color]

10. Before you get to the mountain, have your gear checked at the

Fujiyoshida Organization for the Prevention of Mountain Accidents

Fujiyoshida Branch, Fujiyoshida Police Station

Yamanashi Prefecture

Ph. 0555-22-3215 or 3216 or 3217

[GuyJean]

I climbed in late October in 93'. It is 'closed', but that just means you have to climb the whole mountain.. Like a real man.

I was ill-prepared, so it was pretty miserable; occasional rain/sleet, gusts of wind that blew me over, and nil visibility from the top.. We started at 9pm. I reached the top at 11 the next morning, but we stopped at a 'rest house' for a couple hours at dawn. I think it was 2,000 yen for a cup of tea and some heat from the stove..

I thought the best part of the climb was from the 1st through 5th levels, still below tree line; Unspoiled and random little shrines along the way.

October, I would recommend if you have the propper clothing. January? Fuck that shit! Unless you pack skis up with you..

GJ

[Mike Oxlong]

This might be even better than skis

[Taro Toporific]

[quote="GuyJean"]I climbed in late October in 93'.... it was pretty miserable]

Amen on "pretty miserable" ---I got snowed out at the 7th Station in late AUGUST 1990.


[INDENT]Toyohashi Alpine Club
Mountaineering in Japan
Mt. Fuji (3776m)
Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
23 November 1994
Report by Darren DeRidder
http://live-fuji.jp/fuji/scott/toyohash.html

Toyohashi Alpine Club
Mountaineering in Japan
Yatsu-ga-Take (2988m)
Fuji San (3776m)
December 1999 / January 2000
Japan.
Report by: Iain Williams
http://live-fuji.jp/fuji/scott/millenni.html
[/INDENT]

[ttjereth]

[quote="GuyJean"]I climbed in late October in 93'. It is 'closed', but that just means you have to climb the whole mountain.. Like a real man. ]

I've never done Fuji at all. I lived in Tochigi for three years so did a few of the mountains there (in Nikko and such) and have thought about doing Fuji, but have always heard it's not that fun (tons of people with almost a queue up the mountain, covered in garbage, shops with 30$ udon at the top and such).

[kamome]

I can't imagine doing a winter climb. I climbed up in August of 2001 and, though I wasn't snowed out like Taro, I thought it was pretty darn cold. January would be horrible.

GJ, I'm impressed that you could do the whole mountain from 1st station to the top in 14 hours. I think it took me 8 or 9 hours to get to the top starting at the 5th station.

[Mr Doricar]

Ok, well I'll give it a go and see how far up I get before I pussy out/die.

Thanks for the advise. I will bring an extra jumper just in case. And maybe some wooly gloves.

[GomiGirl]

Ok, well I'll give it a go and see how far up I get before I pussy out/die.

Thanks for the advise. I will bring an extra jumper just in case. And maybe some wooly gloves.

You are kidding right? Please tell me you are kidding. You will need the full kit to climb Fuji in the snow - spiked shoes, ice pick, survival gear etc etc.

[gkanai]

You will need the full kit to climb Fuji in the snow - spiked shoes, ice pick, survival gear etc etc.

GG meant to say that you will need crampons, winter mountaineering boots, winter mountaineering clothing, full harness, ice axe, at least a 3 person party with ropes, winter mountaineering tent/sleeping bag/ stove/ food, crevasse wands, and last but not least the experience to summit and descend without dying.

I did this sort of thing back (winter mountaineering) in my uni days.
(photo is of Mt. San Lorenzo, Chile

[GuyJean]

.. I did this sort of thing back (winter mountaineering) in my uni days.
(photo is of Mt. San Lorenzo, Chile

Nice!. But Fuji is nothing like the Andes.

GJ

[Charles]

[quote="GuyJean"]Nice!. But Fuji is nothing like the Andes. ]
Yabut, they have one thing in common: you screw up, you are just as dead. Winter climbing is treacherous, last year a group of people were climbing Mt. Ranier, they had full winter gear, it's a fairly easy climb in good weather. Then a sudden blizzard hit and they had to call Seattle Mountain Rescue on their cell phones. But one of them froze to death before they were rescued 2 days later.
I don't know how variable the weather is on Fujisan, but I just bet you that if you called for a rescue in a storm, they'd laugh at you. I personally wouldn't do the climb without an experienced guide.

[kusai Jijii]

Dont a shitload of old farts climb to the summit of Fujisan on 31 Dec (AT NIGHT) each year in order to watch the first sunrise of the year? If that hill has a bunch of babas siting on the top saying "kirei na~~~! Samuii na~~!" each shogatsu, how fucking hard could it be?;)

[GuyJean]

Dont a shitload of old farts climb to the summit of Fujisan on 31 Dec (AT NIGHT) each year in order to watch the first sunrise of the year? If that hill has a bunch of babas siting on the top saying "kirei na~~~! Samuii na~~!" each shogatsu, how fucking hard could it be?]Yeah, I don't think it's that tough if the weather is right..

GJ, I'm impressed that you could do the whole mountain from 1st station to the top in 14 hours. I think it took me 8 or 9 hours to get to the top starting at the 5th station.

Well, as I mentioned I was ill-prepared]http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/18473ac1c33b11f.jpg[/img]
.
.

And since we're on the subject of mountain climbing, another shot at the summit of Mt. Shasta:

Skiid down that fucker..

GJ

[Taro Toporific]

[quote="kusai Jijii"]Dont a shitload of old farts climb to the summit of Fujisan on 31 Dec (AT NIGHT) each year in order to watch the first sunrise of the year? If that hill has a bunch of babas siting on the top saying "kirei na~~~! Samuii na~~!" each shogatsu, how fucking hard could it be?]

Yeah, but they cheat.

They pay 90,000yen/person to a mountain "club" that uses mini-bulldozers to haul food, fuel, firewood, bedding and supplies up to the 8th Station a few days before New Years. Then the bulldozers run up and down the trail to remove the snow drifts and pack down the "secret" 'dozer road to the top. From the 8th Station to the top, the "club" rigs hand ropes alongside the trail in any "tough" parts.

On the evening of December 30, 4WD vans haul the obaachans to party at the Fuji Hotel at the 5th level. Then at noon December 31, the old farts make the "taihen" climb to the 8th Station where they have a multi-course dinner in the heated hut and then spend most of the night drinking/napping. Around 4am, weather permitting, they slog up the groomed 'dozer trail to the top (with support snowmobiles available for assistance). After sunrise, they scurry down (some use old farts use plastic sleds provided at the top by the "club") to the Fuji Hotel and soak in the onsen for hours to warm up.

[ttjereth]

Yeah, but they cheat.

They pay 90,000yen/person to a mountain "club" that uses mini-bulldozers to haul food, fuel, firewood, bedding and supplies up to the 8th Station a few days before New Years. Then the bulldozers run up and down the trail to remove the snow drifts and pack down the "secret" 'dozer road to the top. From the 8th Station to the top, the "club" rigs hand ropes alongside the trail in any "tough" parts.

On the evening of December 30, 4WD vans haul the obaachans to party at the Fuji Hotel at the 5th level. Then at noon December 31, the old farts make the "taihen" climb to the 8th Station where they have a multi-course dinner in the heated hut and then spend most of the night drinking/napping. Around 4am, weather permitting, they slog up the groomed 'dozer trail to the top (with support snowmobiles available for assistance). After sunrise, they scurry down (some use old farts use plastic sleds provided at the top by the "club") to the Fuji Hotel and soak in the onsen for hours to warm up.

Sounds like a great way to "mountain climb" to me

[ttjereth]

And since we're on the subject of mountain climbing, another shot at the summit of Mt. Shasta:

[Mr Doricar]

You are kidding right?

Bloody oath I am! haha

I'm going to go anyway, I have some decent gear. I'll just see how far up I get before the conditions get the better of me. Who knows maybe I'll get lucky and be in Araku before last orders

[Doctor Stop]

[quote="GuyJean"]Nice!. But Fuji is nothing like the Andes. ]That's right. Japanese snow is different.