Mountain Climber Rescued Twice in Four Days to Retrieve Misplaced Phone
A Second Ruin for an Unnamed Chinese Climber on Mount Fuji
A thrill-seeking Chinese student had to be saved twice from Mount Fuji within a span of just four days, leaving locals baffled and social media in an uproar.
The unlucky climber, 27, first needed rescue on the 22nd of April due to altitude sickness on the Fujinomiya trail, roughly 3,000 meters above sea level. This incident occurred during the mountain's off-season when authorities emphasize extreme weather conditions.
However, despite the earlier incident, the climber returned four days later, only to face the same fate again. He apparently attempted to retrieve his lost belongings, but his poorly executed plan resulted in another bout of altitude sickness. A fellow climber found him immobilized during his pursuit.
Though there’s no penalty for a climber needing rescue, the event sparked outrage on social media, with many demanding the climber be charged for his reckless behavior. The Shizuoka police warned all aspiring climbers to exercise caution, reminding that Mount Fuji is laden with subzero temperatures and snow, even during spring.
Mount Fuji's hiking trails officially open from July to early September. Though there's no ban on hiking off-season, local authorities have introduced entry fees and caps on the number of entrants for the most popular trail since last year, while they plan to extend similar rules to other main trails later this year. Climbing off-season comes with no fee.
Additional Insights:
- Climbing Mount Fuji off-season, generally spanning from October to around mid-June and from late September, presents significant challenges due to hazardous weather conditions such as extreme winds, snow, ice, and the risk of avalanches. Climbers should be highly experienced and well-prepared for these dangerous conditions.
- Trails are often closed, and mountain huts are not available during the off-season. Climbers must be prepared for self-sufficiency, as there's no access to public toilets, and they must manage their waste properly.
- There's no official supervision or assistance available during the off-season, making it essential for climbers to be self-sufficient.
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- The outrage on social media intensified as the Chinese climber, who had been rescued twice from Mount Fuji, decided to livestream his off-season climb, disregarding the risks associated with outdoor-living in such conditions.
- Upon receiving news of the climber's third rescue, many viewed his lack of caution as a degradation of their lifestyle and home-and-garden values, which cherish the tranquility and natural beauty of Mount Fuji.
- Despite the controversy, the climber's ill-advised livestream revealed the stunning outdoor-living views that one could witness during the off-season, sparking interest in some about the unique challenges that come with off-season Mount Fuji hiking.
- As a result of the incidents, it was reported that the unnamed climber later sold his livestreaming channel, using the proceeds to fund a hiking guide company, advocating for proper preparation and caution for those planning to hike Mount Fuji, especially during the off-season.
