Mount Fuji off season climb (mid April /early June)

Skill level required: intermediate to advanced, familiar to use crampons, ice axe.

Fitness level required: FIT, able to climb minimum in 8~10h, up and down 1500m (5000 feet).

In general the best adventure time to climb Mt. Fuji is OFF season, but there are several things to consider according to the time of the year. Mt. Fuji receives most of the snowfall from February to April, in winter is too cold and strong winds are blowing snow away. Usually the mountain is still covered with SNOW in late spring and then again in fall but less snow than in spring. Sometimes it is still cold and trails are under snow and ice in these periods. This is a minimum intermediate level and serious ascent requiring previous experience and fitness. You’ll need 3 seasons or winter mountaineering boots, warm clothing, crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness, which can be rented from the guide, except for boots, which you’ll need to bring your own.

Some tips: Usually ascent is from the North, because you can rich the highest trailhead point by car. Hike up starts from parking at 2300m (7500ft); first, we climb on a sandy trail, following is the rocky ridge, approximately till 3000m, from there we need to put on crampons. Is there any technical component? If the weather is nasty, like strong wind or icy snow, for safety ascent we rope up and wear a harness, use an ice axe, etc. The slope steepness is 30, partly 40 degrees. In case the weather is cloudy or windy, the snow will not soften and will stay hard all day; often this is 400 to 600m around the summit. There are 3 different trails going up and down Mt.Fuji. Please note that some are longer as the starting point is lower like at 1900m.

Equipment: for Mt.Fuji climb, equipment depends on snow conditions as it is changing every week. For this ascent, you will need to bring your own proper clothing and own mountaineering boots. If you wish to travel light; we can rent crampons, ice axe, walking poles, helmet and harness at JPY 1000/item, payable in cash direct to the guide after the climb. Please note we don’t rent winter boots.

In case you need to rent some equipment (such as Ice Axes), we will prepare it, but if the guide decides on the spot not to use it, we’ll not charge you.

Food and drinks: You should take 2L of water; 500ml to1l thermos is recommended.

Insurance: please make sure you are individually insured appropriately with international travel insurance which specifically covers mountaineering.

Other: sometimes, trip itinerary may be altered and/or date change can be discussed, case by case, based on the weather forecast. I will try to modify my schedule and we’ll do our best to make our guests happy. I would advice you to make your schedule flexible as well. The guide may choose a different road approach and climbing route, the time of the early morning start etc. If the weather forecast and conditioners are really bad on scheduled day or day before and after as well, then we’re offering plan B: a very exciting mix climbing to the summit of Yatsugatake range, Mt.Akadake almost 3000m high, 2h drive from Kawaguchi-ko.

Trouble while climbing: often people will get light altitude sickness (dizzy, headache etc.).

Special service: I can pick you up at your hotel in Tokyo, middle of the night like 1:00am, then takes 1:30 to 2h to Kawaguchi-ko; for an additional cost of 24.000 JPY per group. Please inquire if you wish this optional service but please note, it is one way only, and you’ll need to return to Tokyo by train or bus, because of heavy traffic jams, usually every afternoon.

Read more: copy of WARNING article; It might not sound difficult to climb Mt. Fuji in Winter conditions but reading this report doesn't make it clear how dangerous it actually is. All warnings about climbing snow-covered Mt. Fuji which can be found on the Internet are appropriate and in fact it is very dangerous. Each year people die on Mt. Fuji and others get seriously injured. Unless you are an experienced alpinist or with an experienced guide, you should not attempt to climb Mt. Fuji in winter. Being well aware of the dangers I spent much time on preparation and training before my first attempt. Please be aware that unless you have already experienced this kind of conditions, the information that can be found on the Internet will not be sufficient for an attempt to climb Mt. Fuji OFF season.

At Kawaguchi-ko town, which is Fuji five lakes area, easily accessible by trains or direct buses from Tokyo.