Chad Versus the Volcano

Ah, majestic Mount Fuji. (photo from here)

On Saturday Chad climbed Mt. Fuji, also known as Fuji-san. We know lots of Americans who have done it, but surprisingly, most of our Japanese friends have not! Maybe because...

they know it is big.

Chad left on a bus from the base with about 20 other people at 2:30 am. (Yes, I did say that Chad went somewhere at 2:30 am on a Saturday.) The bus took them to the 5th Station on the Kawaguchi-ko line, altitude 2305 meters/7562 feet, where they began climbing around 5:00.

Some of the trails were more rocky than others. At each station there was a hut where you could buy water (for $5) or Kit Kats (for $2) and get your walking stick stamped.

The view from the top! Only 7 hours and twenty minutes later.

Altitude 3776 m/12,388 ft

"Please take my picture so I can sit down after climbing this never ending mountain."

This is the bottom of the crater that is at the top of Mt. Fuji.

The beginning of the end... start your 3 hour descent here!

Chad had just sent me a text message that said, "my dogs are barkin." :0)

Fuji-kyu Highlands amusement park, seen from the bus on the Chuo Expressway. See Fuji-san in the background? Because that's what you feel like doing after climbing the second largest free-standing mountain in the world, is riding roller coasters.

I am really proud of Chad for doing this, though I admit I selfishly sort of wanted him to stay home with us on Saturday. Fortunately, he ignored my whining and went anyway. Now he can say he did it!