Rescue Operations Highlight Dangers of Climbing Mount Fuji Off-Season

A Chinese student’s two rescue missions on Mount Fuji raise alarms about the risks of off-season climbing.

In an alarming incident, a 27-year-old Chinese university student, residing in Japan, experienced two rescue operations within four days while attempting to climb Mount Fuji outside its designated climbing season. His adventures involved searching for a lost mobile phone, ultimately resulting in two dangerous situations on the mountain.

The young climber first found himself in distress on Tuesday while traversing the Fujinomiya trail, which reaches approximately 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level. He lost his crampons—essential equipment that enhances grip on icy surfaces—making his descent perilous. A helicopter was dispatched to rescue him under these challenging conditions.

Defying the advice against off-season climbing, the student returned to the mountain to recover items he had left behind, including his lost phone. Unfortunately, he suffered from altitude sickness during this second expedition and required another rescue on Saturday. Thankfully, he has since returned to safety.

Climbing Mount Fuji is discouraged outside of its official climbing season, which runs from early July to early September, with all trails closed during other months due to harsh weather and safety concerns. The environment ministry of Japan has stressed that conditions can change rapidly, increasing risks for climbers and complicating rescue efforts. Hospitals and medical facilities along the trails are also closed during this time, adding to the dangers.

In light of this incident, authorities in Shizuoka prefecture have reiterated warnings against climbing during the off-season. Some critics on social media have suggested that the student should bear the cost of both rescue missions, arguing that he disregarded important safety guidelines. Despite ongoing efforts to regulate the number of climbers, Mount Fuji remains a major tourist attraction, with more than 220,000 individuals scaling its heights during the official season in 2023.