We are right in the middle of Mt. Fuji climbing season and if you were ever interested in climbing this famous, majestic icon of Japan, this weekend might be a good opportunity. Sea to Summit is a charity event organized in conjunction with Oxfam. Every year an intrepid group of very fit people start at the beach near Fuji-shi and collect sea water which they then carry to the summit of Mt. Fuji in order to ceremoniously pour the water out at an elevation of 3,776 metres, all in under 24 hours. The aim of this event is to raise money for Oxfam. You may remember I posted a video last year of the 2011 Sea to Summit Mt. Fuji climb which I joined from the 5th station. Yes, it is possible to join Sea to Summit from the half-way point (2,3o0 metres) if you're not feeling up to the whole thing.
I am told there are still a few slots available in this year's Sea to Summit team so hurry if you want to join. Joining requires you to pay a fee of 3,000yen, 2,000yen of which goes to the Oxfam charity. Sea to Summit will meet at Higashi-Tagonoura Station in Shizuoka Prefecture at 5:50am to begin the climb. Having reached the 5th station, team members will rest before continuing the climb at 9.30 pm with the aim of reaching the summit by dawn to witness the sun rise.
Climbing Mt. Fuji is not for the faint-hearted or the seriously un-fit. It is an amazing experience to cross off your bucket list, but one for which you must prepare and take precautions. Dress appropriately, pack the right stuff, and (perhaps most importantly) bring lots of positive energy.
Click the image below for more details...
I would love to do this one day and its for a good charity. The Sea to Summit would be amazing but would need to get my fitness levels up to speed :)
ReplyDeleteI joined Sea to Summit from the 5th station (half-way point) and that was definitely more manageable for someone like me who is not the fittest person on the planet! Mt Fuji is definitely one of those once in a lifetime things!
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