for climbers of Mt.Fuji - supported by フジヤマNAVI -

In order to climb Mount Fuji safely and pleasantly, choosing tools and clothes is an important factor. First of all, prepare the required mountain-climbing equipment.

Shoes are one of the most important types of equipment for mountain climbing. Climbing shoes are different from your usual sneakers in the hardness of the soles and the depth of the grooves. Choose a stout pair that can endure long hours of walking. A light one using nylon that covers your ankles (middle-cut) is suited to Mount Fuji climbing. Soles should be hard so that you can walk easily on rocky areas near the summit. You will feel more secure with waterproof shoes because they can deal with a sudden climate change.

Climbing shoes

Knapsack for Mount Fuji climbing should ideally have a capacity of 25 to 35 liters. You will know that there is more luggage than you might expect after packing cold-weather wear, a water bottle, extra clothes in case of getting wet, accessories, etc. However, carrying everything you may need leads you to get exhausted easily, so try to put in only the necessary items. You will be secure by having a knapsack cover in case of rain, which protects your luggage from getting wet. They are available at mountain-climbing specialty shops.

Knapsack

The difference in temperature between the base and summit is about 20 degrees Celsius. Wind further lowers your sensory temperature. Shortly, they are almost different seasons. You will use cold-weather wear when staying in a hut or waiting for the sunrise at the summit rather than when walking. Take at least one piece of cold-weather wear, such as a thin down jacket, fleece wear, sweater, and jacket.

Cold-weather wear

Because the weather tends to change easily in mountains, don't forget to carry rain gear. Separate suit wear (jacket and pants) is easier to move and convenient. Jackets are useful not only against rain but also as cold weather wear protecting your body from strong winds and low temperatures. Although ponchos are good as they can cover the knapsack, they are not recommended because you'll get wet in a strong wind.

Rain gear

A hat/cap is necessary for provision against sunstroke. After passing through a forest zone from the trail entrance, you will come under the direct sun. As ultraviolet light is stronger than you might expect on a mountain, prepare one with a large brim. An elastic string is valued because it frequently gusts on Mount Fuji and your hat will be blown off. Specialty shops have clip-on elastics.

Prepare (work) gloves to prevent injury and to protect against the cold. They protect you from getting injured when falling down. You tend to forget them in summer, but they will be a help when climbing in rain or waiting for the sunrise at the summit. Gloves are one of the required pieces of equipment.

It's a necessary item unique to Mount Fuji climbing where you keep walking in the dark before dawn to see the sunrise. A headlamp is a climbers' light that has a band to put on your head so that you can use both hands. Their characteristics are being small, light, and bright and lasting a long time due to the LED light. Extra batteries should also be carried just in case.

Headlamp

Next, let's think about climbing fashion. Although being stylish is important, climbing wear should be more functional.

During climbing, you sweat and your underwear and T-shirt get wet. If sweat is not dried, your temperature will drop and your body will get cold. To prevent this, it's the best to wear underwear or a T-shirt (closest to your skin) made of absorbent and fast-drying chemical material or wool. Remember that the most important climbing wear is underwear, although it's not visible to others.

Carry a long-sleeved shirt in addition to a short-sleeved shirt. The standard one is a checkered shirt called the “yama-shirt (mountain shirt)," but a long-sleeved T-shirt or thin windcheater is okay, too. However, because you need to adjust the temperature frequently while climbing, a not-too-thick one is recommended, which can easily be put on and taken off. They are used not only for cold weather but also as countermeasures against suntans.

Choose thick climbers' socks. They are strong and excellent in retaining heat and drying quickly. Thickness protects your feet, so you can feel more secure. What you should avoid is to put on one pair on top of the other. This might cause blisters on your feet. Those who tend to experience skin peeling on the heels or have hallux valgus should put on medical tape or blister-prevention pads in advance.

Trekking pants or jersey pants are easy to move and good to wear. Recently, it's also popular to wear short pants or a skirt with functional tights. Some women use thick pantyhose instead of functional tights, but this is not good in functionality. Materials that dry as fast as possible when getting wet are much more comfortable for walking. Jeans are no good for the same reason.

There is a basic concept for the clothing at the time of mountain walking; it's "layering." It's especially important on Mount Fuji because the temperature difference is large. The basic method of layering is to take off one layer when hot and put on one layer when cold. To do this more easily, each piece of clothing should not be too thick. In usual mountain climbing, you repeat taking off and putting on to maintain a comfortable temperature, but in the case of Mount Fuji climbing, you rather add clothes because it gets colder and colder. For example, you start with a short-sleeved T-shirt, and add a long-sleeved shirt, and then a windproof jacket.

A basic of wear

Let's take a look at goods convenient especially for Mount Fuji climbing, such as those for staying comfortably in a hut and descending a sand run.

Trekking poles are useful at the time of climbing down when you tend to get pain in your knees and have tired legs. By using two poles (a pair), you can easily maintain your balance and ease the burden on your knees.

Useful goods

Spats were originally used as a leg cover on a rainy day or on snow, but are also useful when descending Mount Fuji. In the sand areas, they prevent sand and pebbles from entering your shoes.

Its expected effects are prevention of altitude sickness and refreshment of feeling. You can buy it at the huts. Recently, drinkable oxygen where you put one drop into water is available at specialty shops as well.

Good for those who are annoyed by noise or snore when catching a little sleep in a hut. It's pretty difficult to get a deep sleep in a hut in unfamiliar surroundings. Earplugs are not heavy luggage.

Comforters are available in the huts, but compact inner sleeping bags are recommended for those who are sensitive to cold or love being clean. You can use a towel or pillow cover as an eye mask.

Lavatories in the huts are fee-based. It's better to prepare about ten 100-yen coins. You should carry bills and coins separately

You should carry at least medical tape and plasters as a first-aid set. Medical tape can also be used for emergency treatment when the sole of your shoes comes off.

There's no water for washing available on Mount Fuji. To dry your sweat and remove sunscreen, take some moist wipes.

They also are of great help when climbing down. Because you walk down in bull-dust, you can feel secure if you have a mask and sunglasses. Sunglasses are especially valued by those who wear contact lens.

Many visitors from overseas cannot bring in many climbing tools. Check below for OK/bad items among what you may already have on hand before buying new goods.

Sweater or fleece you already have is enough. Check your winter clothes.

Are there any socks for skiing left unused in a closet? Take thick ones.

Jersey pants are okay as an alternative to trekking pants. However, jeans are bad because they become heavy and coarse when wet.

You don't necessarily need to buy a new one if you have one that is big enough to contain your luggage. You're advised to carry a knapsack cover in case of rain.

Unless it's a very big emergency flashlight, a Maglight, for example, is okay. Headlamps as an emergency supply are available at a reasonable price at home centers.

Bad!

The burden on your legs is substantial because of the thin soles. Also, because the grooves are shallow, it is easy to slip.

They are of course bad. Not only are they not comfortable to walk in but you also are easily injured with almost bare feet.

Jeans are made of thick cotton material and will not dry easily when wet. They also become too coarse to walk comfortably.

They're easily blown off on Mount Fuji and not useful. They are a nuisance to other climbers as well, so prepare rainwear.

Disposable plastic ponchos hardly protect you from rain and wind. It's dangerous to get wet on the 3,000 m-high ridge lines.

Equipment and wear