This past week our family climbed Mt. Fuji. We are so thankful for God giving us this unforgettable memory through this challenging, strenuous and breath-taking (in more ways than one...) experience.
Just driving up to "Station 5" where we started hiking gave us a beautiful view at 2, 305 ft. elevation. We were already walking in the clouds! I think the best thing about the climb was the magnificent view of other mountains, lakes and the green valley below. It was amazing. It felt like you were literally on top of the world.We started about 7:30 am with our newly bought walking sticks from the souvenir shop. Our friend warned us that we would need them to stable us and also that we would need lots of water, as well as layers of clothes as it gets colder the higher you climb. We were also armed with hats and lots of sunscreen, although our lips and the back of our calves still got pink.
There were a lot of people climbing that day, although not as crowded as it gets in August during the Japanese most traveled holiday of Obon. There were about 7 stations along the way up that sold food, water, snacks and compressed cans of oxygen. (I would definitely use the oxygen next time as we were fighting altitude sickness most of the way up.) The food and water got more expensive as you get closer to the top.At these stations there are "huts" where you can pay about $80 a person to stay the night. These huts are old, Japanese style with everyone sleeping on futons on a communal woven tatami mat floor. Often people climb part way up and then stay overnight. Others climb during the night so that they can see the sunrise in the morning.
Even though there was a path, it was hard climbing. A lot of black and red lava, gravel, ash and rocks. Many of the Japanese had Nordic walking poles. I can see how this would help steady you, especially on the steep, slippery climb down. We just had tennis shoes, but hiking books would protect your feet and give you more traction. Also, most of the Japanese looked like they had just stepped out of camping catalog since they were outfitted with stylish, brand new packs, boots, and clothes. Most of the other foreigners we ran into were more mismatched like our family. But, hey, we still made it. 
Right before the top was a Shinto gate that you pass through with coins all over that people had left. When Tim and the boys got their sticks stamped at the top, the Japanese man offered them a little wooden plaque written with special blessings that supposedly one receives because he has made it to the top. How wonderful to know we receive God's blessing freely out of His goodness and love, not based on our achievements.
When we finally got to the 12, 388 ft. peak it was pretty cold, rainy and windy with thunder bellowing all around as the fog and clouds hovered. We didn't stay too long since we were in shorts and weren't sure that the great weather we had hiked in all day would hold.
Look, after 9 hours of climbing (5 1/2 hours up and 3 hours down) we are still smiling, although extremely exhausted. And yes, are muscles are still sore. What a great feeling though to look up to the top of that mountain and know we were actually there...standing on the very top.
