Climbing Mount Fuji tomorrow

Mona took this picture on our first trip to see Mt. Fuji earlier this year.

Andrea and Zach really want to climb Mount Fuji so, on Sunday, we are going to make the trip. We have done a little research to help make the climb easier. The first thing we needed to find out was how doable the climb was going to be. Good news, no real expertise or technical experience needed - just a very steep climb at high altitude on an active volcano. Good news, indeed.

We have read quite a bit on what to expect on the climb and a list of things to take. Mona has even been looking at some facebook posts from people who have made the climb and found some good information - like take money to use the bathrooms located on the mountainside. So, here is the list of things that we have come up with so far:

Backpack for each one of us
Sunscreen lotion
Hats
Hiking boots (especially for the climb down)
Snacks (easy and high energy)
Water (we can buy more on the mountain)
Wind/Rain jacket
Layers of clothing (to help with the changes in temperatures)
Change of clothes (there is a chance of rain)
Avoid cloth clothing (takes too long to dry out if it rains)
Walking Stick

I found a website that forecasts the weather for the different altitudes on the mountain. Looks like around 63 degrees from where we will start and will drop to the mid-40's at the summit. Fortunately, only a light wind and a slight chance of rain.

The plan is to leave here by 4:30 a.m. so we can be in Fujikawaguchiko by 6:30 to get in line for a shuttle that will take us to the 5th station. The first shuttles that leave are at 6:40, 7:10 and 8:10. Not sure what to expect as to how the lines, etc.

The last shuttles leave Mount Fuji at 6:10, 7:10, 7:50 and 8:40. So, we definitely have a time limit on when have to be back at the 5th Station.

Speaking of time, the expected time frame is about 9 hours - six hours to reach the summit and 3 hours to get back down. If we decide to walk around the crater rim at the summit, it will take an additional hour to hour and a half. It will be interesting to see if we have the time or the energy to walk the rim.

There are 4 different routes to the top - Yoshida Trail, Subashiri Trail, Gotemba Trail and Fujinomiya Trail. We are going to take the easiest and the one recommended for first timers - the Yoshida Trail. One of the things that we have to worry about is taking the correct route on the way down. There is a point where the trail diverges, if we take the wrong one we will end up in a different area than where we started. Fortunately, the trails are color-coded. The Yoshida trail has yellow signs - hopefully, we won't miss any signs. It might make for an even longer day.