Japan Trip 2012, Day 4 - Mount Fuji (Lessons)

With all the stuff I went through on the way up, and with plenty of time later to reflect on what made the entire trip more grueling than it could have been, I could go into three or four more posts into what I've learned.

However, I've really already done that. If you look at my previous posts detailing what you need to go up Mount Fuji, you could combine them with the posts on the climb and descent, and figure out why I think that way. But, I'm going to make a proper conclusion to the story, and give the what and why very briefly.

A Friend - I hope I don't come off as sounding like some 80's kids' show, but seriously, friends are a really nice thing to have. A friend will be at your back when you're struggling (which did happen for us), so do the same for them.

Cash - 'Cause you can buy what you realize you don't have but need badly. I personally didn't bring enough - when we descended, we found a place to stay, but I certainly couldn't cover my share of the room. However, the friend I was with (there's that word again) had more than enough for the both of us.

Food, Water - I should have gotten four liters of drink (instead of three though it still lasted), but we totally didn't pack enough food. Granola bars and trail mix do wonders - in the morning from Main 8th, I was looking pretty bad despite having a beef bowl for breakfast... until I had some dried fruits in the trail mix. The sugar spike picked me up and I was feeling good again. Also, if you notice yourself drinking fluid in an attempt to get more energy but aren't getting it, that means you need food instead.

Weather Report - A lot of people climb in the night, but when it's also cold, raining, and foggy, things start to suck tremendously - even moreso, when you're in a place devoid of human life and human help like we ended up being in. Also, don't mess with Mount Fuji when it's snowing.

Clothing - Because it's cold up there. Your clothing must also keep you dry in case it rains. Don't forget that your backpack must also keep its contents dry. If not and it starts raining, everything in there will get drenched.

Fitness - It's like walking up the Sears Tower three times over. Yeah, you need some measure of physical fitness, and we were all huffing and puffing on the first day after our night trek up a half-destroyed trail in the fog and rain. If you find the mountain to be too much, rest and/or turn back. No shame at all in not endangering yourself, but there's shame getting yourself hurt when you know it didn't have to come to that.

Basic Medical Supplies, Signal Whistle - The emergency stuff that will help you out when you get injured. The signal whistle is there in case you need help but people aren't around.

Flashlight, Headlamp - I prefer the use of both my hands, and thus prefer a headlamp.

Trash Bag, Toilet Paper - Keep the mountain clean, and bring your trash back down with you. Remember that some toilets don't have toilet paper.

Camera - Reaching the highest point in Japan: priceless.

These are more laid out in my previous posts.

Preparations: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/caelk/20120725/1343177300
Equipment: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/caelk/20120727/1343372136