Nothing has ever happened to us, but it does happen?

Whilst we are 100% free of incidents, accidents whilst climbing Mt Fuji in winter do happen. Whichever way you cut it, Mt Fuji in winter is 3800m of steep, cold and exposed mountain, and the sort of terrain where accidents can happen.

Mt Fuji in winter actually has a significant accident rate, more than many climbers realize. Every year there are accidents, and always one or two deaths, in keeping with all high peaks climbed in winter around the world.

Some climbers do not realize the popular vision of Mt Fuji is in summer, and that in December, January, February and March things are very different. At this time it is more like a Himalayan peak – we know because we climb them.

Most accidents boil down to 2 types; climbing incidents, or ill-preparedness. The first includes things that happen to climbers who are experienced but meet misadventure, the second are all the things that happen to people who should not be there.

Our staff are all international-level climbers, who come to Mt Fuji with a Himalayan perspective. Climbers without this may not have the necessary experience, and if not on our teams can be courting trouble.

The accidents that occur usually involve slipping, usually in places with no contingency for error and the result always made worse by the cold. A broken ankle climbing Mt Fuji in winter is a very serious event, and high winds make rescue by helicopter unlikely.