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From: rbose@hou2g.UUCP (R.BOSE)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Japan
Message-ID: <159@hou2g.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-Feb-84 10:51:25 EST
Article-I.D.: hou2g.159
Posted: Fri Feb  3 10:51:25 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Feb-84 03:54:02 EST
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 46

For anyone planning a trip to Japan this summer, and who
likes the outdoors, try a hike to the top of Mt. Fuji
(or Fuji-san). I went on the hike this past summer, and
it was a memorable experience. The Fuji climbing season
extends for about 6 weeks, from early July to mid-August.
We took a bus to about the mid-point (6500 ft) and 
started on the ascent at about 10 pm (with flashlights).
There is a fairly well defined walking path for the trip.
We got to the summit (12385 ft) at about 4:15 am, just in
time to see a gorgeous sunrise. After all Japan is "The
Land of the Rising Sun", and I saw the real thing !     

The descent was a lot harder for me than the ascent. The
downward path is along switchbacks covered with loose
gravel. A lot of people (including me) seem to hurt their
knees on the way down, so be careful.  Shortly after we
got to the bus station at 6500 ft (Stage 5) we were hit
by a small earthquake (5.8 Richter). That really "shook" me
up. For all the effort and pain, it was well worth it.

Some important points to remember:-

1. At the bus stop (stage 5) buy a stick (that may be your
   only souvenir of the ascent). At each  intermediate
   stage in the ascent, you can get the stick branded with
   the seal of that stage. This verifies that you actually
   got that far. The summit is stage 10. You may also need
   the stick (as I did) as a crutch on the way down !
2. Take a heavy sweater. It can get very cold at 12000 ft.
   Also carry some rain gear.
3. Wear good hiking boots. I did it on a pair of Nike sneakers
   that certainly aggravated my knee problems.
4. Carrry drinking water. Canned drinks are available at the
   rest stations at each stage, but they roughly increase
   in price price by 50% for every 1000 ft of altitude.
5. If you can get to stage 8 you will easily make it to
   the summit. Stage 7 to 8 is a real bear, some parts
   actually involved climbing over rocks on hands and knees.


Good luck !

Ron Bose (AT&T-BL Holmdel)
hou2g!rbose
(201) 949-1453