While the forecast looked great, the clouds were ominous on our approach. Then the rain started as we drove up to the 5th Station (2,305 meters = 7,562 feet).
We parked, ate a hardy bowl of curry (the curry here is delicious!) and headed to the Kuonji Temple to pay a visit before heading out on the Fujiyoshida Trail. 
This trail is commonly utilized for climbing Mt. Fuji. Mt. Fuji is only "open" from July 1st to Aug 31st. Climbing outside of this window depends on the weather and is the only supported trail at this time of year. This is what lied ahead ...
We figured since we were climbing outside of the official season, it would not be congested. Not exactly the case. Crowd at the 6th station. I can't imagine what it would be like during the "busy" season.
We left the 5th station at 2:35pm and arrived at the Hakuunso-Hut (8th station, ~3000 m = 9850 ft) at 6pm. Jeff had phone reception and called Amy. The climb was difficult over volcanic rock with some steps that were moderately challenging. There was no view since it rained the entire time. Surprisingly the altitude didn't seem to have an effect on either one of us. The hut feed us more curry and provided us our place of "rest." It was exactly what I had imagined, just didn't expect to be sleeping with my arms touching my neighbor, more specifically my brother. We did however manage to sleep for a few hours.
We left at 3:30am for the summit. It was dark, cold and very windy but it was not raining.
The first half of the climb we moved reasonably well but the second half it was a continuous line of people.
Then the sun started to come up.
And we reached the summit at 5:15am. Mt Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan at 3,776 m = 12,389 ft.
Just in time for sunrise!
View of the volcano.
Pics at the top :) What an amazing view. We were very lucky it was such a clear day!
We began our descent ... there are no pictures to represent the continual switch-backs to the bottom. Truly a tortuous, difficult, and extremely boring part of the trail. The hardest part undoubtedly and taking pictures was not on my mind. Climbing Mt. Fuji was challenging, even Jeff thought so. There is a Japanese saying that anybody would be a fool not to climb Mt. Fuji once --- but a fool to do so twice. Picture at the bottom after the descent. Big thanks to my brother for sticking it out with me!
Wow! I am sorry I missed it, but glad Jeff and Christine had some bonding time. I might have to come back with Julia when she is old enough to help me climb it.
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