We took 8:00 Hrs to climb with about 4 halts of 1/2 hr hence though we started at 8:30 in the evening on Saturday, we reached the summit at 6am in the morning on Sunday. It was a good climb at a normal pace initially but the last 100 metres was the longest because of the narrow path and huge crowd! It was a challenge to put even one foot ahead. The climb of the mountain is pretty steep with dusty stony paths and proper rock climbing in between. Couple of times I was worried I might slip off but luckily there were no such incidents for anyone of us. But it was indeed scary with no lights except the headlamps each one was carrying. And to add to it, it rain too which luckily subsided sooon… The cold and biting wind was another issue. So overall experienced all types of weather in one night! To ensure an enjoyable climb u need to be really well prepared, n prepared rgt, not overdo it nor under-do it! No point carrying more than u are able too ;)
At the top the crater of Mt Fuji is spectacular and HUGE! Probably as large has half our Infosys campus or maybe more, not sure! I didn't feel tiredness or any other sort of problems while climbing but once on top after sitting there for sometime the cold and thinness of the sudrrounding air became felt. A slight dizziness also came over which made me feel I am NEVER going to climb down :)). We sat on top for about 2.5 hrs while the others arrived one by one and then started the descent of 4 hours. This was easy but a bit tricky since it was a steep slope over which you could rush down but had to maintain balance to avoid toppling down and reaching the base in minutes ;). But once we started and the momentum caught on it was really easy and fast. The only goal was to reach down and that too as soon as possible. We didn't even rest except for a few mins here and there…
Finally reached down by 12:30 and then waited for the bus back which we got only at 2:15! This was the most trying time. Completely covered with dirt, tired, lack of sleep sitting and waiting for the bus and then the realisation that there were yet 4-5 hrs more before reaching home made me feel more tired then ever. All I wanted to do was reach home quickly, take a nice warm bath and lie down in bed... and that's exactly wat I did :D
Overall it was a great experience, challenging and required a lot of enthu and determination to achieve it. Seeing the sunrise at 4:50 from the top of the mountain, above the clouds was a very very different experience. Japan is said to be the country of the rising sun and today was the second time I saw it; first was in the plane while I was landing here :)) Something I really wanted to do in Japan and finally did it :). Am really happy and excited at the moment and wanted to share it will all
