**Two Foreign Climbers Rescued After Serious Fall on Mount Fuji**
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On Monday, March 9, 2023, a dramatic rescue operation took place at Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, following a fall involving two foreign climbers. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. local time when the climbers, a man and a woman believed to be colleagues, plummeted 1,312 feet while traversing the closed Fujinomiya Trail.
The climbers were near the seventh station of the trail, which has been shut to the public for the winter months since September 2022 due to hazardous conditions including freezing temperatures and a significant risk of avalanches. The couple was discovered by emergency responders late that evening, around 10:40 p.m., close to the Hoei crater.
Local authorities, including the Shizuoka Prefectural Police Mountain Rescue Team, quickly arrived on the scene after a colleague accompanying the pair raised the alarm. He witnessed their fall and immediately contacted the police for help. Despite the severity of the situation, both climbers were reportedly conscious when they were located.
They were subsequently airlifted to a local hospital for medical treatment, although the extent of their injuries remains unclear at this time. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by climbing during the off-season on Mount Fuji.
The Fujinomiya Trail, along with all pathways leading to Mount Fuji, is typically closed from October to April each year, coinciding with the onset of harsher weather conditions. Reports indicate that all trails from the fifth station to the summit, which stands at a height of 12,388 feet, are closed unless the summer climbing season is in effect, which concluded on September 10, 2022.
According to a climbing resource website, Fujisan Climb, winter conditions on the mountain can be perilous. Temperatures in the off-season regularly drop below freezing, and from November through April, they can plummet to as low as -10°C (14°F). The website outlines that such drastic temperatures, in conjunction with the potential for avalanches during the spring thaw and the heavy rains associated with typhoons, significantly elevate the risk of accidents.
Climbers are warned to heed these closures due to the absence of first aid stations or mountain huts available on the trails outside of the climbing season. Accessing these trails during the winter months is strongly discouraged given the unpredictable and severe weather conditions.
Authorities have yet to release further details about the rescued climbers while the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding their fall. The incident not only highlights the precarious nature of climbing in winter but raises ongoing concerns regarding the enforcement of trail closures designed to protect hikers.
In light of this incident, the local police department has reiterated public safety messages regarding the dangers of hiking on Mount Fuji when trails are closed. They encourage all climbers to abide by the regulations established for their safety.
As the rescue efforts concluded, the focus remains on the recovery of the climbers and a thorough evaluation of the incident to help prevent similar occurrences in the future. This rescue operation underscores the importance of awareness and caution when tackling high-altitude climbs, particularly in adverse weather conditions.