Mount Fuji Japan Trekking – Prelude

Let me share with you what it takes to trek up Mount Fuji Japan. After months of training at the hills/gunung around Kuala Lumpur, the 12-member team click here is ready and shall depart for Japan on Monday 26 July 2010. Climbing Mount Fuji, most Japanese would take a bus to Station 5 and then trek up to Station 8. Have dinner, sleep early and start trekking up to the peak to see sunrise at 4:45 a.m. The temperature would be around 5 degrees Celsius in the cold morning.

Spectacular sunrise over Mount Fuji

As for the Malaysian team where yours truly (KC) is one of the team members, we are like hero and gung ho up from ground zero to Station 5. Not only that, we carry our main backpacks (as heavy as 10 plus kilograms) as we shall descend to the other side of Mount Fuji. According to the Team Lead, Yee Choi, we shall start the journey (from a hotel heading to Mount Fuji by bus) at 7:30 a.m. sharp. The team shall wait at the hotel lobby at 6:50 a.m.; breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. and we have 20 minutes only to complete eating our breakfast before the public bus comes – such is the military precision in carrying out the tasks. Once we are at Mount Fuji, it should be a whole day of intense trekking activities.

100 Yen or RM 3.70 for a visit to toilet at Station 5 or higher

According to brochures, the climbing time to Station 5 is 5-6 hours and from Station 5 to the peak is another 5-6 hours. At those lodges at Station 5 to 8, I see photos that to go to toilet has to pay 100 Japanese Yen (RM 37 to 1,000 Yen; so 100 Yen is RM 3.70). Drinking water is about 500 Yen (about RM 19) for a 1-litre bottle!!

Tori Gate and Climbers on Mount Fuji

Photos and texts below are extracted from a blogger's site: Andy Gray … click here1 or here2 . For now, the important thing to understand is that many people think climbing up Mount Fuji is a drag. I believe 2 percent of Japanese people climb Mount Fuji during the lifetimes. That means that 98 percent of the Japanese people you invite to go with you will decline with reasons like:

a) Hahahaha (nervous laughter, most common), b) Followed by, "It's too hard" (if you press them), or c) "I'm not going" (if you continue to press). Most want to know if I intend to carry oxygen (available in aerosol cans at the place where you start). Tori Gate and Climbers on Mount Fuji I'm including this picture to show the crowds climbing up Mount Fuji. This is the very top of the climb, but what you see is a representative section of trail. From about the 8th Station to the top the trail was packed with climbers, exactly as you can see here. Imagine a line 4 or 5 people wide slowly filing into a movie theater (that happens to be at the top of a mountain) and you have a picture of the final two hours before the summit.

On cloud 9 with a spectacular view

As I said, the trail became quite crowded after the 8th Station. We had three hours before sunrise and a short distance remaining, but I started to wonder if we'd make it. Our progress was literally stop and go. In fact, after an hour I concluded that the chances of being on top for sunrise were slim at best. Creeping along I resisted the temptation to "widen" the trail. That is, it's always possible to walk so far to the side of the trail that you can simply pass everyone. The biggest reason not to try this is because if you slip on a rock and start it rolling downhill you might kill someone coming up from below. No kidding.

Click here for the original website and a bigger trail map

The Japanese's saying that a wise person climbs FujiSan once; a fool climbs it twice ... Okay, in a few days' time (26 July 2010), I am going to be a wiser person (not when I organize it for a second try) ... :-) Nevertheless, for trekkers, it is always fun to return with a different group of friends

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Do click here for the start of the trekking when at Japan (Part 1).

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Click here for all posting on Mount Fuji trekking (scroll down the pages; click Older Posts).

Posted by KC ..

Countdown to Mt Fuji Japan Trekking

Written by Jayne Aw

Each day as I flip through my calendar, I can’t help but counting the remaining days to 26 July 2010; for that will be the fateful day when I will make my way to the land of rising sun with 12 others who love to indulge in pains and suffering to climb the sacred Fuji-san.

Standing at 3,776 meters, Fuji-san is the highest mountain in Japan. There are all together 10 stations along the trail to the summit. Our plan is to ascend to Station 8 and put up a night there, follow by an early morning trek the next day to catch sunrise before descending to the base. Since we are not back-trekking, we have to carry all our stuff with us.

Never have I been so nervous since I started mountain trekking in 2008. My worries rest with the backpack that I have to carry up the mountain. It is not just a day-pack but a week-full load of clothing and stuff. I want to travel lightly but the problem is the backpack itself already weighs a hefty 2.1 kilos before loading. Then what about the drinking water? We were suppose to bring 4 litres supply for our 2-day trekking (a litre of water weighs a kilo……..) coz that little bird told us that water and food are very expensive in Fuji-san, as the huts only open for business during the official trekking season (July to August).

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For a start, I have lugged along my 6-kg loaded backpack during the trekking at Gunung Ledang on 30 May 2010. That was like tying a premature piglet onto my back, with me ended up with sour legs, sour shoulder and sour back after the 7.5 hour trekking. Luckily it didn’t break my willowy waist. What more to expect when the piglet grows to an 8-10 kg monster by end July 2010. I am already missing my “tall, dark and handsome” personal porter “Takur” of the EBC trekking in Nepal.

Nevertheless, my training plan is to increase the load progressively over the remaining days and hope by then I will get use to the weight and have enough strength and stamina to complete the 10-hour up and 10-hour down Fuji-san. Otherwise just have to pray hard for Yee Choi (our Fuji-san captain) to change his plan to back-trek so that we can leave the unnecessary stuff at the base station ... or may be bring along more Japanese Yen and never mind the pricy tags ... Er, looks like I will settle for the latter.

Note by KC:
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(a) Team members for this Mount Fuji Japan trekking are as follows with Yee Choi being the Team Lead:
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Yee Choi (ABC, EBC, Kilimanjaro, Mt Fuji);

Alexis (EBC);

Jayne Aw (Sikkim, EBC);

Sharon Tan (EBC);

Tan Pei Ling (EBC);

PK Chan (ABC, EBC);

WongFK (EBC);

Chiew Hong (ABC);

Weng (ABC);

Joseph Yong (EBC);

ChooTS - marathon runner;

Gary Chin - marathon runner;

Yours truly KC Leong (Cho La Pass, ABC, EBC) - Annapurna Base Camp, Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal.

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(b). Takur is a personal Nepalese porter for Jayne during the Mount Everest Base Camp from 4 October 2010. Together with other porters for the 13-member team, we made it and returned safely. Click here for previous postings on EBC

(c). The Mount Fuji Japan trekking team went for a weight-carrying training trip by trekking up Gunung Nuang on Saturday 3 July 2010. click here. In this trip, we have trekkers from the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon team and also those experienced trekker friends totaling 35 members.

(d). There will be another training this Saturday 10 July 2010 by running up to Camp Pacat of Gunung Nuang (via Ulu Langat way). A few of the Mount Fuji trekkers will trek up Gunung Kutu of KKB (Kuala Kubu Baru). click here
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Click here for Annapurna Base Camp trip.

Jayne Aw
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Posted by KC

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Mt Fuji Japan - Final Countdown

Final Countdown to Mt Fuji – Perfect 10 !!

Written by Jayne Aw

Sumimasen! I am not talking about Bo Derek. I am talking about my backpack that has grown in weight from 6 kg to a perfect 10 kg over last couple of weeks.
Of late, a lady with a loaded backpack walking around Bukit Kiara has become a familiar sight to those who frequent there in the morning. Some curious joggers would ask me where I am going; while others would give a pathetic look. A couple of kind souls would offer me some encouraging words.

Although trekking at Mt Fuji only takes 2 days but someone has done some calculation and reckoned that it may not be as easy as we thought so, mainly because we have to climb an elevation of about 2200m from the starting point to Station 8 in one day. When we did the EBC trekking last year, we ascended an elevation of approximately 2500m over 7 days. So we really have to watch out for our pace and potential mountain sickness.
As for the training, I have tested 6kg load at Ledang and subsequently 8 kg load at Apek. So I thought of trying out 10 kg load at Nuang via Janda Baik on 3 July. After a night of Bollywood at my company’s annual dinner, I was feeling a bit groggy the next day due to inadequate sleep. Carrying my 10 kg backpack, I already felt the load. After stuffing a box of “kuih” and a big banana given by some trekkers, my backpack became an over-weight piglet at 11.5 kg! No choice but to lug the backpack with me. So my Bollywood saga continued to Janda Baik, with me rolling down the slopes a couple of times, thanks to the over-weight piglet. To add salt into injury, there were numerous occasions when I have to squeeze through the fallen bamboo trunks. How low could I go with the piglet on my back …


Alas, after assessing my pace, Captain Fuji-san shook his head and said it is unlikely for me to cover Station 1 to Station 8 in 10 hours with my 10 kg backpack. So taking a bus right up to Station 5 and start climbing from there would be a better option. A wise person as I always was, I gladly accepted Option 2. Soon the other “ji mui” joined in, and followed by Fat Wong too.
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What Option 2 means to us is that we only need half of the time to reach Station 8 (about 4-5 hours); and we do not need to carry extra water as there are numerous huts selling water along the trail from Station 5 to Station 8. We just need to carry more Yen (no sweat!). Upon reaching Station 8 by noon, we could sit back and relax over a cup of UCC kohi (coffee) and chizu keki (cheese cake) while waiting for the gung ho ultramen panting their way up to Station 8.



Besides weight training with my piglet, I would spend some time every night brushing up my Japanese “ka ki ku ke ko”, just in case I get lost in the train stations of Japan. But it was not as simple as I thought. By the end of the day, I was confused by “ma mi mu me mo”. So I finally gave up and thought I should join the guys to squeeze in the common train compartment (in Japan, there’s separate compartment for the ladies, just in case……..). Otherwise Captain Fuji-san will wave his hand and say “sayonara”, and “ka ki ku ka ki”……… the Teow Chew music.

Jayne Aw

Do click here for Mount Fuji Japan Trekking - Prelude

Do click here for Mount Fuji Japan Trekking - Final Briefing

Please click here for previous posting and the team members in this Mount Fuji Japan trekking trip. The team shall depart for Japan on 26 July 2010.
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Here are a few of the photos extracted by yours truly (KC) from the internet. Thanks to the photographers who took these excellent photos.

Flowers in full bloom with Mout Fuji in the background

With a bullet train speeding by

It is indeed challenging to trek up to the brim of the volcano by our team

(this coming 26 July 2010)

Wow! Looks quite steep to arrive at the top !!

The Rising Sun

The moment that these trekkers have been waiting for -- witnessing the spectacular sunrise (hope we can also see this beautiful view too).

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Posted by KC

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Mount Fuji Trekking

Tuesday 27 July, 10am: First group photo at one of the temples en route to Kawaguchiko Town, start of trekking. Weather is hot at around 31 degree Celsius. Everyone is sweating profusely. .

Please click here to view photos by courtesy of WENG. .

(hold down Ctrl key and) Click here for Album 1. .

(hold down Ctrl key and) Click here for Album 2. .

Click Slideshow and hit F11 key for full-screen view and captions.

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Arriving by train at Kawaguchiko Town (about 3pm). Wedn 28 July, 7am before leaving town ... The Enthusiastic 12 with Mount Fuji at the background.

Back (L-R): Pei Ling, Jayne Aw, Weng, Chiew Hong, Yee Choi (Team Lead), Alexis, ChooTS, PK Chan.

Front: WongFK, Sharon Tan, KC, Gary Chin.

Fuji Sengen shrine - the start of trekking to Mount Fuji. In olden days, this is the pilgrimage route to Mount Fuji. This is not the commercial route; as such, there is hardly any trekkers going via this trail. Only the Gunung Nuang trained trekkers from Kuala Lumpur are attempting this trail. Actual start from shrine: 7:50 a.m. Turning into real trekking trail After a refreshment break Umagadeshi -- the group has been walking for 2.5 hours (from Fuji Sengen shrine) to arrive at this point which is even before Station 1. Having a quick refreshment break (so call lunch) at Station 3 (time is around 1pm). Notice the big backpacks that the group carry. The plan is after leaving Kawaguchiko town, the team shall trek up Mount Fuji, walk round the rim of the crater and descend to another point. Together with 3 litres of water, each backpack weights between 12kg to 18 kg! That is heavy !! Station 5 ... this is different from the commercial Station 5 where buses can reach

At Station 6 ... right side of photo frame is where trekkers from the commercial Station 5 comes from.

The trail at this elevation is wide and well maintained. The retaining walls are constructed to prevent errosion ... Japan Boleh !! ... Weng, Pei Ling and PK Chan

Steep rocky areas ... WENG

Lots of people trekking up the mountain in colourful gear. It is estimated that during the trekking season, about 3,000 trekkers go up Mount Fuji !! .

Click here for Part 2 

Do click here for Final Countdown by Jayne Aw (before we departed for Japan)

Do click here for the prelude (before we departed for Japan)

Do click here for Final Briefing (before we departed for Japan)

Posted by KC

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Mount Fuji Trekking - Final Briefing

The next posting shall resume in two weeks' time on Sunday, 8 August 2010. .

Mount Fuji Japan agar-agar cake by courtesy of Weng

The group gathered for a pre-mission final briefing on Saturday, 24 July 2010 in a cosy corney of Green View Restaurant in Petaling Jaya amid good company and sumptuous dinner. . Please click here to view photos by courtesy of Weng. .

Yee Choi, the Team Lead, showing the tactical move in order to arrive at the peak of Mt Fuji subject to weather condition One of the yummy dishes: Yee Mee with King Prawn, a signature dish of this restaurant

Frong (L-R): Jayne Aw, Yee Choi, Pei Ling, Alexis

Back: KC, Gary Chin, Weng, Chiew Hong, ChooTS, WongFK

Not in photo: PK Chan and Sharon Tan.

Good team spirit for the Mount Fuji Japan trekking team

Attaching flags at the peak of Mt Fuji with name of each member of the team written behind the Malaysian flags ... Alexis

Yeah! One for all, and all for one!

Please click here for a previous posting.

Click here for all postings on Mount Fuji trekking (scroll down the pages; click Older Posts).

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Posted by KC

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Post-Mt Fuji Dinner and Karaoke

The much awaited post-Mt Fuji dinner was held at a posh restaurant at Jaya 33, Petaling Jaya on Saturday, 2 October 2010.
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The main purpose of the gathering is to show our appreciation to Yee Choi, the Fujisan Team Lead, for leading us in this mission. Another reason is to strategise for next year's Mount Fuji climb again.
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It was an evening of good company, good food, lots of fun, laughter and singing. Not only that the trekkers are fit, their voices are good too.

Jayne, Sharon and Rose

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Please click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC). click slideshow, hit F11 key.

CHEERS !!! Gary, WongFK, Rose, Jayne and Pei Ling

ChooTS, Weng, Yee Choi (Fujisan Team Lead), Chiew Hong and PK Chan

The four bottles of wine from Fiona. After a few rounds, they were emptied. Now dipping into the reserves from PK Chan and later the Martell from ChooTS.

Yours truly (KC), Angeline, Sharon Tan, Gary and WongFK

All smiles ...

Enjoying in the karaoke session. Notice the expressive Gary Chin. After hours of singing, the group was just mesmerized in the karaoke session until the Captain (of the restaurant) has to remind us to call it a day.

Since we were rushing for time, PK Chan who has been programming the songs, decided that each song is be given only one-quarter of the air time before proceeding to the next one in order to clear the backlogs.

The singing mood was heightened with a few Beetles numbers where all were able to sing along loudly. Finally, whether we like it or not, system remotely overrides with a shutdown message: “Thank you and Come Again.”

Good times together: the Fuji team and trekker friends

Back: Angeline, Rose and Fiona
Front: Jayne, Sharon, Leng and Pei Ling
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Click here for all posting on Mount Fuji trekking @ July 2010 (scroll down the page; this posting is repeated)
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Please click here for all posting on social meets (for past EBC, ABC and this Fuji trekking also).

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Posted by KC

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