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A climber, who was rescued due to altitude sickness while nearing the summit of Mount Fuji last week, has faced a second rescue in less than a week, authorities reported on Monday.
Officials are emphasizing the need for climbers to understand the severe conditions present on Japan’s tallest peak, especially during the off-peak months.
The individual, a 27-year-old Chinese student residing in Japan, first called for help on April 22 after experiencing altitude sickness symptoms. Police indicated that his climbing gear was also damaged during this time.
On the following Saturday, he returned to the Fujinomiya trail, situated approximately 3,000 meters above sea level, in search of his cellphone and other items he had left behind. Unfortunately, he was found by another climber in distress, unable to proceed due to a recurrence of altitude sickness, according to Shizuoka prefectural police.
No penalties for off-season rescues
While official hiking trails are accessible from July to early September, there are no penalties for attempting to hike outside of these designated times. Additionally, rescues are conducted without any fees or charges. However, the student’s incident stirred considerable debate on social media, with some calling for him to face penalties, at least for his second rescue.
The Shizuoka police have urged climbers to exercise extreme caution, particularly as temperatures can be quite low and the area remains snow-covered even during the spring months.
Mount Fuji stands at 3,776 meters and was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013. It holds significant cultural value as a symbol of Japan, once serving as a pilgrimage destination and now becoming increasingly popular among hikers.
To mitigate overcrowding and the risks associated with hurried overnight ascents to view the sunrise, local authorities implemented an entry fee and a cap on the number of climbers allowed on the most frequented trail last year. Similar regulations are expected to be introduced for other major trails in the coming year.
Source
www.cbc.ca