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Pictures: Mt. Fuji
My climb up the famous Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan at 3776 meters (September 2002).

Fuji-san from the shinkansen (bullet train): The typical picture of Mt. Fuji includes snow, but it was September, so give me a break.

Doesn't look big from the base: But it sure feels it once you're climbing the last 100 yards of it.

Had to wait in line a while for this one: The touristy picture from the beginning at 2,305 meters above sea level.

Come 8pm and it's a ghost town: The base town of Kawaguchi-ko, station 5.

My side of the mountain: Minus the raccoon.

"What kind of idiot would want to carry a heavy walking stick all the way to the ... oh sorry mate": The Irish couple. Great people. And yes that's a quote from my Canadian friend.

Can you see the line?: The shadow of the mountain during the sunset is very visible with the naked eye, but doesn't photograph well.

Tripods are too heavy: The vivid clouds during the sunset were breathtaking and none of these photos can do the panoramic view justice.

I think I'm alone now: 180,000 people (3000 per night) climb Mt. Fuji a year during the "official 2 month season," I went the day after where it was very peaceful and empty.

Come on, catch your breath: Already winded at the 8th station, part 1 (there were like four 8th stations.)

Yea, I'll take two beers and a pack of cigarettes: Each of the stations sold rice balls, $5 bottles of water, and yes, beer and cigarettes.

I hope you guys don't snore: My bunk bed buddies. They all lived at the bottom of Mt. Fuji and yet this was their first climb. Of course I met many New Yorkers who have never gone to the Statue of Liberty, so I didn't give them too hard of a time.

Bonzai!!!: Finally station 10! Those of us that made it; littered on the last 300 yards were dozens of people, mostly old (40 and up), that couldn't make it in time for the 5:15 sunrise.

A sea of clouds: Being above the clouds is breathtaking. Especially with the lack of oxygen up there, felt like I was asthmatic.

Time to break out the gloves: All the sweat on your body freezes you as it's 0 degrees F and a bit windy.

Matt, could you get a photo of that random red bag behind me? Thanks: It was completely dark, so framing the pictures wasn't an easy task I guess.

Seconds before the sunrise (5:14am):

Peep-a-boo: It sure looks like a small sun.

Yeah, like to see you try this one Rocky: Victory is mine.

Honey, why can't you just ask for directions?: We meet again.

Come on, rise already, we're freezing!: Taking its sweet old time.

Right out of Indiana Jones:

What's mistletoe doing up here?: A torii with coins stuck in it for good luck.

He was a dark, handsome stranger:

The land of the rising sun:

I knew I should have packed gloves: Some fellow gaijin freeze who decided gloves and hats were just too heavy.

Didn't we see this picture already?: Shut-up!

What a brilliant photo! It symbolizes that all people have a dark side: Or perhaps Matt needed to tell me to move a bit to the left.

Don't look at this photo!!!: You'll go blind!

Cayenne, you sure you should be pointing that lens into the sun like that?: One of those spiritual moments when it felt great to be alive. This picture could never do the 360 justice.

Want to join our cult?: Doesn't this remind you of one of those Jehovah's Witness pamphlets?

Can you see my hand puppet?: Our shadows on the rim of the dormant volcano.

Down and dirty: Volcanic rock more like.

Now that's a shadow: Fuji's shadow in the sunrise.

Finally, the last steps up I'll have to take.: My legs were throbbing so much by this point.

On top of Japan: It heated up to about 80 F in about 20 minutes after the sun rose; we all were ripping off clothes.

Regretting the walking stick yet?: Gaijin united, all of us climbed down together for a while. The trail was much better downward as it was large sand so each step took you 7 feet as if you were hopping on the moon.

This isn't on the map guys: The Canadians insisted we were going the right way, taking their special way down (never trust Canadians), this was an hour in.

So you guys are sure you know where we're going?: We had to bushwhack through solid bushes and loose rock like this but we made it back before the other gaijin and in better condition. These two ended up staying with me the next month, nice brothers (even though they were Canuks and all).

What's this red dust sir?: I returned this bag after the brutal hike, I didn't want the stupid neon green checkered thing in the first place but had to buy something the night before. After washing all the red dust, which caked it (and me), it was good to go.

Pictures: Mt. Fuji My climb up the famous Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan at 3776 meters (September 2002).	Main Pictures Page Home

Fuji-san from the shinkansen (bullet train): The typical picture of Mt. Fuji includes snow, but it was September, so give me a break.	Doesn't look big from the base: But it sure feels it once you're climbing the last 100 yards of it.

Had to wait in line a while for this one: The touristy picture from the beginning at 2,305 meters above sea level.	Come 8pm and it's a ghost town: The base town of Kawaguchi-ko, station 5.

My side of the mountain: Minus the raccoon.	"What kind of idiot would want to carry a heavy walking stick all the way to the ... oh sorry mate": The Irish couple. Great people. And yes that's a quote from my Canadian friend.

Can you see the line?: The shadow of the mountain during the sunset is very visible with the naked eye, but doesn't photograph well.	Tripods are too heavy: The vivid clouds during the sunset were breathtaking and none of these photos can do the panoramic view justice.

I think I'm alone now: 180,000 people (3000 per night) climb Mt. Fuji a year during the "official 2 month season," I went the day after where it was very peaceful and empty.	Come on, catch your breath: Already winded at the 8th station, part 1 (there were like four 8th stations.)

Yea, I'll take two beers and a pack of cigarettes: Each of the stations sold rice balls, $5 bottles of water, and yes, beer and cigarettes.	I hope you guys don't snore: My bunk bed buddies. They all lived at the bottom of Mt. Fuji and yet this was their first climb. Of course I met many New Yorkers who have never gone to the Statue of Liberty, so I didn't give them too hard of a time.

Bonzai!!!: Finally station 10! Those of us that made it; littered on the last 300 yards were dozens of people, mostly old (40 and up), that couldn't make it in time for the 5:15 sunrise.	A sea of clouds: Being above the clouds is breathtaking. Especially with the lack of oxygen up there, felt like I was asthmatic.

Flash:	No flash:

Time to break out the gloves: All the sweat on your body freezes you as it's 0 degrees F and a bit windy.	Matt, could you get a photo of that random red bag behind me? Thanks: It was completely dark, so framing the pictures wasn't an easy task I guess.

Seconds before the sunrise (5:14am):	Peep-a-boo: It sure looks like a small sun.

Yeah, like to see you try this one Rocky: Victory is mine.	Honey, why can't you just ask for directions?: We meet again.

Come on, rise already, we're freezing!: Taking its sweet old time.	Right out of Indiana Jones:

What's mistletoe doing up here?: A torii with coins stuck in it for good luck.	He was a dark, handsome stranger:

The land of the rising sun:	I knew I should have packed gloves: Some fellow gaijin freeze who decided gloves and hats were just too heavy.

Didn't we see this picture already?: Shut-up!	What a brilliant photo! It symbolizes that all people have a dark side: Or perhaps Matt needed to tell me to move a bit to the left.

Don't look at this photo!!!: You'll go blind!	Cayenne, you sure you should be pointing that lens into the sun like that?: One of those spiritual moments when it felt great to be alive. This picture could never do the 360 justice.

Want to join our cult?: Doesn't this remind you of one of those Jehovah's Witness pamphlets?	Can you see my hand puppet?: Our shadows on the rim of the dormant volcano.

Down and dirty: Volcanic rock more like.	Now that's a shadow: Fuji's shadow in the sunrise.

Finally, the last steps up I'll have to take.: My legs were throbbing so much by this point.	On top of Japan: It heated up to about 80 F in about 20 minutes after the sun rose; we all were ripping off clothes.

Regretting the walking stick yet?: Gaijin united, all of us climbed down together for a while. The trail was much better downward as it was large sand so each step took you 7 feet as if you were hopping on the moon.	This isn't on the map guys: The Canadians insisted we were going the right way, taking their special way down (never trust Canadians), this was an hour in.

So you guys are sure you know where we're going?: We had to bushwhack through solid bushes and loose rock like this but we made it back before the other gaijin and in better condition. These two ended up staying with me the next month, nice brothers (even though they were Canuks and all).	What's this red dust sir?: I returned this bag after the brutal hike, I didn't want the stupid neon green checkered thing in the first place but had to buy something the night before. After washing all the red dust, which caked it (and me), it was good to go.