Fuji Bullet Climb

by Luc Le

How did I in one day go from journeying to the peak of Mount Fuji to ending up dead on the streets of Tokyo? Well, we'll have to rewind a bit.

Also, be forewarned, you shouldn't attempt what I'm about to tell you. If you ever climb Mount Fuji, make sure to do it well prepared and at a steady pace. Please be careful.

Planning the trip

It wasn't much but I used a written guide of how to climb Mount Fuji that was sent over by my friend through LINE. I followed its directions word-by-word.

To avoid an overnight stay in a mountain hut and climbing the mountain twice to see the sunrise, I would have to depart from Tokyo at 7:30 PM and somehow reach the peak before sunrise at around 4:30 AM all in one go.

Seemed doable.

Going to the Mountain

7:03 PM, July 26th, 2019

Alone, on a Friday night, I board a bus from Shinjuku Station, I sat next to my backpack loaded with dried fruits, a 1-liter water bottle, a headlamp, and some rainwear. I was on my phone reading an article about a tourist who met an unfortunate end from falling rocks during the climb the previous week. But fear not, I ran 10 kilometers, did 100 push-ups, situps, and squats every day for the past couple weeks in preparation for this climb! I can avoid something like that. I only needed to worry about whether or not altitude sickness and asphyxiation would be a problem, but I guess I'll find out when it happens if it happens.

Start! 5th Station

10:13 PM, July 26, 2019

Three hours later, I get off the bus and embark on the climb. Earlier, there were some people I saw on the same bus leaving from the same bus as I did, but I didn't see anyone leave on the same path when I left.

It was far too dark to take too many pictures at this time. There wasn't any light aside from the headlamp I had strapped to my forehead. Wading through the pitch-black darkness was really quite nerve-wracking... I was quite wary of bears or perhaps even remains of unsuccessful climbers. After I got used to it, it was quite a surreal experience being alone in the dark on a mountain with a clear view of a bright and starry sky (which my phone camera wasn't good enough to capture). The stars made me forget I was over 2000 meters up high on a mountain with potential death looming around every corner.

Contact, 7th Station

11:02 PM, July 26, 2019

About an hour into the climb I ran into a mountain hut. PEOPLE! I was quite excited to see people after being alone in the dark for an hour. I passed by 6th station but it didn't seem like anyone was there, it was likely that the lights were out and the guests were asleep. It seems these huts are only open for booking so I couldn't go inside without a reservation. I wasn't very tired yet so I decided to keep trekking along.

8th Station

12:51 AM, July 27th, 2019

About two hours later, I make it to the last station before the summit. I think I came across some glowing rocks or maybe bioluminescent moss? Any source of light that wasn't my headlamp was starting to feel pretty welcome. It was also starting to get pretty cold.

Summit, 3,776 Meters

1:59 AM, July 27th, 2019

I finally make it the peak of Mt. Fuji and strangely enough I find myself rewarded with free wifi, a lone vending machine, and warm drinks. You always manage to impress me, Japan.

It was still too dark to see anything at this time, so I bought some hot tea and huddled together with my backpack and quietly awaited the sunrise.

Watching The Sunrise

2:00 AM to 4:30 AM, July 27th, 2019

After reaching one of the most sacred places in Japan, what ensued was a long and cold wait in the dark. It was a bit too chilly to sleep. I was also a bit too full of adrenaline from speedrunning the climb. But at the end of the wait, the views I subsequently saw were indescribably beautiful.

Down the Sunabashiri Trail

4:54 am, July 27th, 2019

This is when I saw life-changing and picturesque sights. It made this trip worth it.

I'll let the scenery speak for itself.

Back at the Bus Station

6:50 - 9:00 AM, July 27th, 2019

Despite pulling an all-nighter and climbing a mountain I was still far too full of adrenaline to sleep while I waited for the bus back to Tokyo. I explored the shops which were now open and purchased some souvenirs.

Intermission

12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, July 27th, 2019

What should someone do after climbing a mountain without any rest?

Party of course!!!

I tried to sleep on the 2-3 hour bus ride back to Tokyo, but I was still feeling full of adrenaline from the 15-mile long hike, it really didn't subside and I couldn't sleep a wink.

I had already made plans for the next day to see the Sumidagawa fireworks. I went back to my apartment, freshened up, ate, went to Don Quixote to buy myself a yukata, and then headed over to my friend's house.

Sumidagawa Fireworks

6:00 PM, July 27th, 2019

The Sumidagawa fireworks festival, named after the river that the fireworks fly over, is the biggest fireworks festival in Tokyo, which was why I was so eager to see it. Physically, my body was probably pretty exhausted but one or two drinks helped me stay more or less cognisant and forget about the exhaustion. Tehee.

Fortunately, I had a friend who happened to live near the fireworks site and was kind enough to give us access to the rooftop of his apartment complex and avoid the crowds below. We had panoramic views of the Tokyo cityscape, right next to the Tokyo sky tree. It was just as beautiful as being up high in the mountains.

P.S. it wasn't just one or two drinks.

The Aftermath

11:14 PM, July 27th, 2019

Well, here we are. My body finally tapped out. This marked the ending to my mountain-climbing-all-nighter.

My friends were even kind enough to spell my name out my name with their all in celebration, literally.

Regrets? Maybe some parts but I would not hesitate to do this again.

If you ever visit Japan, you should definitely give Mount Fuji a climb, though maybe you shouldn't do what I did, however, I challenge you to have just as much fun.

Stay safe out there.