Fujisan

[mtngrrrl]

Has anyone out there done Fuji in the winter? All I can find out by doing a web search is that climbing in the off-season is "deadly" and for "serious mountaineers only". I can't figure out if the lingo is to scare tourists. I'm thinking of taking a week around Thanksgiving if the climb feasible. Thoughts, feedback, tips are welcome.

 

PS: Hey site guys, ever thought about adding a "Foreign Climbs" or "Wanderlust" section?

[Matt]

Hey Mtngrrl-

 

I've been on Fujisan in the winter time. Technically, its very easy, even in the winter, comparable to climbing Mt Hood in the winter. The interesting thing will be the fact that there won't be many people. I went on several climbing and tele skiing trips around Fujisan in January/February and there was a lot of snow. It's beautiful when there aren't so many people there.

 

You might not be able to drive up to the fifth station that most people start from in the regular season. They close the road in the winter, even when there is no snow on the ground, but it doesn't snow much in the end of November/beginning of December so you might get lucky. Expect very cold conditions-- bring double boots, down jacket, 4 season tent, the works.

 

I had a car when I did it which made winter climbing on Fujisan a bit easier. Assuming you are stuck with using public transport, you might have some difficulty getting to the approach trail you want-- I'd say take the train and then try to find a taxi driver that will drive you up there.

 

Hopefully you speak and read Japanese so negotiating your way there will be easier. Most Tokyo bookstores carry very detailed hiking maps and I sugest you buy the map to Mt. Fuji after you arrive in Japan. I have one somewhere in my house, but I can't seem to find it. You will need this map.

 

If the weather is warm I suggest you go climbing at Ogawa yama (Small River Mountain). It's the leavenworth of Japan-- stellar granite with multi pitch trad routes and crazy steep sport routes. It is the least grid bolted of the Japanese crags I visited.

 

Yatsugadake is also a great area to hike. There are hot springs and amazing road side ice climbing if the weather gets cold enough, though usually December is when the ice comes in.

 

There are plenty of onsen (hot spring houses) near fujisan. You should check them out.

 

Have fun. Be sure to eat some Shabu-shabu, it's my favorite Japanese dish.

 

If you have any questions email me.

 

Matt