Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
A Chinese student requiring evacuation from Japan’s Mount Fuji last week endured a second rescue operation just four days afterward, according to local officials.
Initial Rescue and Altitude Sickness on Mount Fuji
The 27-year-old mountaineer placed an emergency call on 22 April after experiencing altitude sickness on the mountain’s Fujinomiya route, approximately 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet) above sea level.
Off-Season Climbing Alert
This incident occurred during the peak’s off-season, when authorities advise climbers to be mindful of exceedingly severe weather conditions.
Second Rescue Mission
On 26 April, authorities were alerted to another climber in distress on Mount Fuji. The unnamed Chinese student had returned to retrieve his mobile phone and personal belongings he had abandoned during his first ascent.
A fellow climber encountered him immobile, suspectedly due to a recurrence of altitude sickness.
Public Reaction and Safety Measures
Lack of Penalties for Rescues
There is no legal repercussion for climbers who require rescue from Mount Fuji. However, the Chinese student’s consecutive rescue attempts stirred controversy on social media, with some users advocating for penalties, at the very least, for the second rescue.
Warnings from Shizuoka Police
The Shizuoka police have advised climbers to exercise prudence, highlighting that the mountain experiences frigid temperatures and snow cover even during spring.
The peak’s hiking trails are officially accessible only from July to early September. Despite this, there is no formal restriction on off-season hiking.
New Regulations for Hiking Trails
- Authorities imposed entry fees and limits on the number of hikers on the most popular trail last year.
- Similar regulations are scheduled to be implemented on other major trails later this year.
- Climbing off-season and off-trail remains uncharged.