Fuji-san

Like I mentioned in my previous blog, I climbed Fuji this past weekend.

Here are some quick Fuji facts

• It is 3,776 meters
• Mount Fuji is a volcano and the last eruption began in November 1707
• Mount Fuji s the most climbed mountain in the world with over 100,000 people trekking to the summit every year. Around 30% are foreigners.

Laura, Crystal, and I in front of Fuji at a rest stop on the way.

Whenever I would talk to older Jet's about climbing Fuji usually I would either hear, "DONT CLIMB FUJI. NEVER CLIMB FUJI." or "Fuji isn't bad at all. Its like a really long gradual hike. Grandmothers can do it."

After experiencing the climb myself I would say neither are true. I am so glad I climbed Fuji. It was a fairly uncomfortable experience, but I am so glad I got to experience it. But it was nowhere close to a walk in the park. It is exhausting. it was a 14 hour hike from top to bottom. yikes.

Last year the Fukui Jet climb happened to fall on a day where there was a typhoon during the entire climb. When the sun rose, the climbers couldn't see it because it was a rainy and cloudy day. A number of Jet's actually told me they thought they were literally not going to make it down the mountain and wondered if search parties would be sent after them. Obviously, it makes sense that someone with that experience would tell me to NEVER climb Fuji. 
This year had perfect weather. There wasn't a single drop of rain, the skies were completely clear the whole way up, partly cloudy during sunrise, and cloudy on the way down to help keep us cool. Perfect. I wish the climb up for me was just as perfect. Unfortunately, it wasn't.

almost halfway up!

Every year, there are a few hikers on the FJET trip that are badly affected by altitude sickness and I'm sad to say that I was one of them. Altitude sickness really slowed my ascent up the mountain and I didn't make it to the summit in time for sunrise. I was probably about 300 meters short of the summit. While, I did make it to the summit eventually, I am sad that I couldn't experience the sunrise from the top. Altitude sickness started rearing its ugly head about 1/2 way up the mountain. Luckily, I was schooled on the symptoms before climbing so I recognized it right away; dizziness, headaches, nausea, and shallowness and shortness of breath. While I was miserable with these symptoms, It was something I mentally prepared myself for since my idea of elevation is Austin hill country. So, I bought some canned oxygen, gave myself a few good deep breaths and continued up with more frequent stops.

Eventually, the large group above separated into smaller groups as we climbed higher on the mountain. In the end, my group consisted of myself and a couple from the UK, Sophie and Steven. Sophie and Steven were so wonderful to me during the moments when I was really feeling sick. They were patient and helpful and fun to be around. It was nice that even though I was feeling pretty awful we could still joke around and laugh our way up that miserable mountain. After we didn't make it to the top for sunrise, We continued climbing towards the summit, determined to make it. 

sunrise. picture taken from steven's camera

Sophie and I right after sunrise.

The last 150 meters up the mountain was a giant line to the top and this is when my altitude sickness became very bad. I was beginning to frighten Sophie, Steven, and even myself with how difficult it became for me to speak and to breathe. But we were so close to the top that the fastest way down the mountain was to finish the climb.

As soon as we reached the summit I was taken away by one of the older Jet's waiting for me and given more oxygen, food, and water and immediately started climbing down to help me feel better. I am just now realizing that I didn't even look out at the view from the top before heading down. It didn't even occur to me. All I was thinking about was air and getting to a lower elevation.

It is quite embarrassing to admit that I struggled so badly. I was constantly needing to ask my group for breaks and help. Asking for help is not something that comes easily to me. I tend to prefer to do things on my own. I think that if I am determined enough and push myself hard enough I can do anything on my own. However, this was a good reality check for me about humility. I cannot do this on my own. No matter how hard you push yourself, eventually you will hit your limit. You are mot invulnerable and asking for help shows you are aware and comfortable with your weaknesses. Sadly my limit came faster than others on this voyage. It was and still is a hard lesson to swallow. But, I do value humility and I am grateful that I had this experience, imperfect though it was.

There is a saying in Japan that says, "A wise person climbs Fuji once, and a foolish man climbs Fuji twice." During the hike down I definitely believed that. Two days of distance however has me rethinking that saying. I would one day like to enjoy the top of Fuji. But, I really don't want to experience the altitude sickness again... I think maybe I might be ready to try this mountain again a few years from now. luckily, that decision is still a few years away. 

Enjoy the photos.

Lastly, a huge thank you goes out to Steven and Sophie. I am so lucky to have good caring friends. You really took care of me on the mountain, especially during that last hour and a half. I am so grateful.

じゃあまたね!