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| Mount Fuji |
Climbing was an amazing experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed, although it is definitely a one off. Have to admit that my enthusiasm did wane slightly about 2 hours into the walk down. I hate walking down steep gravelly slopes at the best of times, but 4.5 hours is not fun. I didn't mind walking up at all. I think that the weather helped a lot and I am a lot more fit than I thought I was - the weather in Tokyo is currently so hot that I am unable to do anything energetic, however I had no problem climbing (not a path - large rocks) on all fours up most of the mountain in the nice cold temperatures. Saying that, I was one of the slowest. We were all paired up with a buddy. Fortunately my buddy, Kazumi san, was about the same pace as me. I was very happy not to get altitude sickness. I just ate lots of cheese sandwiches and stopped to have oxygen every so often. Every being in a rain cloud did not dampen my spirits.
The last stretch to the summit was fascinating. Everyone was in a long queue on a 'path' that could fit 2 across, all wearing headlamps, waiting patiently in the cold and wind to climb the large rocks. The stars were beautiful - I have never seen so many so clearly. It was like walking in another world. I had the same feeling earlier on when we were walking above the cloud layer - it was like the view from a plane.
Sunrise itself was definitely worth the walk up, though did not expect it to happen as it did.
Thank you to the Tokyo Gaijins for organising this hike and thank you to Kazumi san for laughing at me and my cheese sandwiches and for putting up with me taking so long on the walk back down!
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