プロフェッショナルのつぶやき

As mountain guides, we have the significant responsibility of ensuring the safety of climbers. The ability to monitor Mt. Fuji's weather in real-time offers a substantial advantage in managing the climb and guaranteeing safety. Currently, various weather forecasting services for Mt. Fuji provide forecasts ranging from one to six hours ahead, which can be somewhat useful. However, the weather on Mt. Fuji in the summer can change within minutes or tens of minutes, often bringing unexpected rainfall or strong winds.

Our weather predictions for the mountain start with observing the atmospheric conditions surrounding Mt. Fuji as we make our way to the fifth station. By combining this with pre-checked data and materials, our own visual observations, our experience, and traditional weather prediction methods, we can greatly enhance our ability to accurately predict the weather. The real-time data provided by IMAFUJI allows us to further quantify and refine our understanding, significantly improving our capability to anticipate future weather conditions while on the mountain.

Mt. Fuji Weather concierge!
It’s trustworthy with the weather!

Weather plays a crucial role in the activity of mountaineering. Even when considering a single mountain like Mt. Fuji, the weather can differ between the north side (Yamanashi Prefecture) and the south side (Shizuoka Prefecture). Under stable and clear conditions, these differences might not be significant. However, when bad weather approaches, it becomes vital to know where the rain or thunder clouds are coming from and where they are heading, how long the bad weather will last, and from which direction and at what speed the wind will blow. Having this relative information is essential to avoid weather-related accidents.
There can be a significant difference between those who only check the weather forecast before starting their climb and those who monitor it continuously while climbing. In extreme cases, this difference can mean getting soaked by rain or staying dry.
Despite being summer, temperatures on Mt. Fuji can often drop to levels similar to autumn or winter. One common cause of hypothermia during a Fuji climb is "wind chill." Therefore, it is essential to check wind speed as well as temperature. You can estimate the perceived temperature by subtracting wind speed from the actual temperature, which helps determine the appropriate level and timing of protective clothing to avoid hypothermia.

Misjudging the weather on Mt. Fuji can sometimes be fatal. It's crucial to recognize that the weather forecast and conditions on Mt. Fuji can be quite different from those in the familiar "lower world."

In summary, understanding and monitoring the weather is vital when climbing Mt. Fuji. Weather conditions can vary significantly between different sides of the mountain and can change rapidly, especially when transitioning to bad weather. Real-time weather updates can make a substantial difference in safety. Additionally, being prepared for temperature drops and strong winds can help prevent hypothermia. Recognizing that Mt. Fuji's weather can differ from lower-altitude forecasts is essential for a safe and enjoyable climb.

When in Japan Mt. Fuji is the closest you can get to space, so on nights with good conditions, you can feel like you can reach out and touch the summer constellations and the Milky Way spread across the sky. It’s a place where you can not only get a bird’s-eye view of Japan but also feel the reality of Earth and space.
Additionally, the fact that Mt. Fuji is an active volcano and its sheer size evoke a sense of awe that you can’t experience in daily life.
As a mountain guide, I often witness the "human" side of the many people who come to climb Mt. Fuji with various motivations and goals. I see tears of emotion, achievement, cooperation, defeat, and realization—moments when people break out of their everyday shells and reveal glimpses of their life stories. This is one of the most captivating aspects of being involved with Mt. Fuji.
Mt. Fuji is filled with situations that allow you to experience the extraordinary. Being able to touch the colorful life stories of the people I meet on their Mt. Fuji climbs, seeing landscapes that seem like the work of gods, and having countless unbelievable experiences have all become addictive for me. I’ve been hooked on the allure of Mt. Fuji for over ten years.

We provide comprehensive support to ensure the safety of climbers, whether they are from Japan or, in the current peak of inbound tourism, from around the world. Our efforts are multifaceted, focusing on the safety of our clients as well as all climbers on Mt. Fuji at any given time. We actively promote safety awareness and offer advice to those planning to climb Mt. Fuji, ensuring they are well-prepared.

Every day, we climb up and down Mt. Fuji, engaging in activities that protect the safety of climbers and raising awareness among future climbers. In recent years, various issues related to Mt. Fuji have come to light. As people who know the mountain from the inside, we are dedicated to solving as many of these problems as possible. Our commitment to addressing these challenges is unwavering, and we work tirelessly day and night to achieve this goal.