Mt. Fuji Climbers Face Unusual Dangers

Sep 08, 2024 | News On Japan

YAMANASHI, Sep 08, 2024 (News On Japan) - As Mount Fuji's climbing season nears its September 10 closure, rescue calls have surged, and fatalities have more than doubled compared to last year. Over 170,000 climbers have ascended this season, facing harsh weather conditions, including cold temperatures and altitude sickness.

The Shizuoka side has reported six deaths, while three climbers have died on the Yamanashi side, bringing the total to nine.

Two unusual factors are contributing to this rise in fatalities. The first is the frequent occurrence of sudden thunderstorms, making rescue operations difficult or impossible during bad weather. The second factor is an influx of climbers from the Yamanashi side, where stricter entry regulations have pushed more climbers to the more challenging Shizuoka routes. This has led to more injuries, particularly among inexperienced climbers.

In response to the rising incidents, Shizuoka Prefecture is considering regulations such as climbing fees and time restrictions. Meanwhile, Yamanashi Prefecture has already implemented a cap on climbers and introduced a 2,000-yen fee to limit the number of climbers per day and reduce night ascents. The restrictions have proven effective in reducing the number of night climbers and improving safety.

Despite these measures, challenges remain, particularly with lightly equipped climbers and the need for better traffic distribution across routes. Yamanashi officials are exploring the possibility of year-round tourism at Mount Fuji’s 5th station to alleviate overcrowding during peak seasons. However, concerns about avalanches and illegal climbing during the off-season persist.

Source: ANN

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