“When you’re standing at 12,000 feet in freezing conditions, breathing thin air and staring at the edge of the world, there’s no red carpet. No cameras. Just you, your breath, your grit.”
George DeNoto is no stranger to the spotlight. After returning to acting in Money Talk$ — a film that just premiered to global acclaim at the Tribeca Film Festival — he found himself on the edge of a breakthrough. But with success came something else: pressure, noise, and the kind of mental chaos that only silence can cure.
So George turned to something completely different: a mountain.
“My life’s been on a chaotic rise and uptick as of late, and I needed the mountain to match it. Climbing Fuji wasn’t just a physical challenge — it was my way of proving to myself that I deserve to be where I’m headed.”
From Tribeca to the Trailhead
This wasn’t a casual escape or a scenic hike. It was a reset. A test.
“This wasn’t a vacation. It was a vow — that every step I take in my career comes with the same hunger, the same pain, and the same fire I brought to that mountain.”
Guided by Yuichi, a certified local guide George connected with through Explore-Share, he set out to climb Japan’s highest peak.
Walking with Yuichi: More Than a Guide
Explore-Share matched George with Yuichi, one of the most respected local guides on Mt. Fuji. The connection was instant — and unforgettable.
“The way he moved up the mountain wasn’t just skilled — it was artful. Like water flowing around rocks. Pure presence. Grace. A rhythm so natural it felt like he belonged to the mountain, all while staying fully aware of our safety. Yuichi started as my guide, but by the end… he was my friend.”
What began as a guided ascent became something deeper.
“We didn’t just climb together — we trusted each other, shared stories, shared silence, and watched the sunrise above the clouds. That kind of bond can’t be forced. It gets forged in the thin air, step by step. I couldn’t imagine being on a mountain with anyone else except Yuichi-san now.”
A Moment Above the Clouds
There’s one moment George says he’ll never forget:
“Somewhere above the clouds, the world below disappeared. I looked out… and it felt like I had stepped into a dream. The clouds stretched out like an ocean of cotton. That view will never leave me. It reminded me the sky is not the limit. Not for me. Not for anyone.”
At the Summit
Sometimes, a single sentence says it all:
“I felt invincible under the sun.”
Why Go with a Guide
“This wasn’t a tourist hike for me. This was a test — of discipline, of will, of life.”
George didn’t just book a guide for safety. He booked one out of respect.
“When you’re facing something unpredictable, you don’t take chances — you prepare. You respect the climb. And for me, that meant walking with someone who truly knows the mountain.”
And it wasn’t just about logistics — it was about unlocking an experience that wouldn’t have been possible alone.
“Plenty of articles warn about the risks of climbing Fuji — but Explore-Share takes that fear off the table. The greatest experiences through the greatest guides. I wouldn’t book anywhere else again.”
First Time Climbing. Not the Last.
“Hell no. This was a first, for real.”
Before Mt. Fuji, George had never climbed anything like it. But by the time he was descending, he and Yuichi were already talking about their next summit.
“You know Explore-Share is amazing because before we were even done climbing down Fuji, I was already talking to Yuichi-san about the next mountain.”
George’s Top 3 Tips for Climbing Mt. Fuji
1. Beet Juice “Natural nitric oxide boost. Helps with endurance and altitude acclimation. Don’t sleep on it.”
2. Master Your Breath “Deep, intentional breathing kept me grounded. In through the nose. Out through the soul.”
3. Book through Explore-Share “Don’t wing it. Respect the mountain. Go with a guide who knows it like home.”
Bonus Tip: Train for It “I trained with a weighted backpack on an incline for weeks. When I hit the trail, I was ready to earn the summit.”
Explore-Share is about more than booking a trip — it’s about unlocking something personal and powerful through the mountains, and through the people who know them best.
“This wasn’t just a physical climb. It was a reminder of who I am without the spotlight — and proof that I’m not afraid to earn the view.”
