Avalanches, Rockfall & Exposure

All mountaineering has dangers, and Mt Fuji in winter is no exception, so how dangerous it is in winter. Climbing Mt Fuji in December, January & February – true winter ascents – means the same sorts of dangers found on any alpine mountain including the Himalayas.

Mt Fuji has its share of risks and climbers have died up there. For all the caution and preparation the dangers of climbing cannot be eliminated, only mitigated and planned around.

Avalanches happen on Mt Fuji in winter and can be huge, but they are confined to certain areas that proper awareness and experience make avoidable. The accidents that have happened because of were usually due to poor practice, and bad timing so could have been avoided.

Mt Fuji is very rocky and rocks that let loose from up high can gather incredible speed. Rocks do not start falling without reason, so familiarity with the mountain counters this, as does the strategy to not be in the firing line.

Most accidents on Mt Fuji in winter are from slips, and the very exposed slopes lead to long falls – over 1000m. This is a very real risk and one that needs proper training, equipment and strategy to minimize, something best developed on other trips before arriving high up on Mt Fuji.

We know how dangerous climbing Mt Fuji in winter can be having seen many case of what can go wrong. We plan all trips to avoid, mitigate and adapt to the safest possibility.