The time, the schedule & the limits

How long it takes to climb Mt Fuji in winter is a matter of multiple things, but however it goes it still takes at least one very, very big day. Some ascents of Mt Fuji in winter require up to 4 days, and even 2 days climbing trips have much in common with big ascents elsewhere.

Whilst our other trips have more relaxed and irregular schedules, climbing Mt Fuji in winter uses special strategies. The size and scale of the objective needs to fit into the time we have for it, and cannot be an open-ended process. All good climbing happens with forethought, and on Mt Fuji the conditions are cold and exposed meaning time out in them is limited.

The average Mt Fuji Winter climb that summits takes 12hrs, and the fastest we have done it was 9.5hrs. We plan around not just getting to the top but the entire round trip, so times include what it takes to get all the way down again.

Even trips that don’t summit can take 12hrs, due to weather, climbers fitness, preparation and style. We allow good time to make a turn around point – the summit or not – based on the need to return safely.

Our schedule almost always begins very early, to make the most of the cycle of the day and season. We know roughly where we should be at what time so we can track progress, and encourage climbers to use an altimeter and watch to do the same.