Climbing
A 27-year-old university student was rescued twice from Mount Fuji, Japan, in four days after returning to the mountain to retrieve his lost mobile phone.
The Chinese student first attempted to summit Mount Fuji via the Fujinomiya trail last Tuesday, well outside the official climbing season, which runs from early July to early September. He became stranded at around 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) after losing his crampons. Unable to descend safely, he was airlifted by helicopter to safety by Shizuoka prefectural authorities.
Despite the ordeal, the student returned to the mountain just days later, aiming to recover his phone and other belongings left behind during the first rescue. On Saturday, he was found near the 8th station, again at high altitude, suffering from altitude sickness. Another climber alerted authorities, and rescue teams stretchered him down to the 5th station, where he was transferred to the fire department.
Climbing Mount Fuji outside the designated season is strongly discouraged. During the off-season, all summit trails are closed, weather conditions can shift rapidly, and medical facilities along the routes are not operational. Authorities warn that these factors make rescues more dangerous and complex for both climbers and first responders.
The student’s actions have drawn sharp criticism on social media, with some users calling for him to pay the costs of both rescue operations.
Mount Fuji, at 12,338 feet (3,776 meters), is one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Recently, authorities have raised climbing fees and introduced new limits on hiker numbers to address overtourism and safety concerns. In 2023, more than 220,000 people climbed the mountain during the official season.
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