Man Rescued From Mount Fuji For Second Time In One Week After Going Back For Phone

Fool me once…A man has reportedly been rescued from Mount Fuji for the second time in one week after returning to the Japanese tourist destination to retrieve his phone. According to the BBC, the 27-year-old Chinese student, who lives in Japan, first came to the attention of rescuers on Tuesday when he found himself unable to descend the steep mountainous terrain. Reports state that while traversing the Fujinomiya trail, the would-be adventurer lost his crampons—spiked accessories that attach to trail shoes for added traction—prompting a dedicated helicopter extraction.

Rescue crews were able to successfully airlift the man from the rugged terrain, which sits roughly 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) above sea level. However, unperturbed by his misadventure, the hiker returned to the scene just days later in an attempt to retrieve his missing phone and other belongings left at the site. It went predictably well. According to Japanese broadcaster TBS, a second airlift operation was executed on Saturday to rescue the man, who was then taken to hospital with suspected altitude sickness.

While authorities stopped short of revealing whether the hiker was able to recover his missing items, they did reiterate their advice regarding off-season climbs. Police in the governing Shizuoka prefecture have long warned against climbing Mount Fuji outside of the official July to September climbing season.

The harsh conditions, coupled with the unpredictable terrain, can transform the picturesque location into a deeply hazardous region for even the most experienced of climbers. According to the environment ministry, trails to Mount Fuji’s summit, along with all medical facilities on the mountain, are closed during this period.

In recent years, Mount Fuji has become a highly sought-after travel destination, particularly amongst the hiking and climbing community. Standing at 3,776 metres (12,388 feet) tall, the active volcano, which most recently erupted in 1707, is renowned for its perfect cone shape and delicate white snow peaks. In the open season, guests can choose to climb partway up the mountain or try their hand at navigating the steep terrain, often at night, to watch the sunrise from the summit.

More recently, authorities have raised concerns around over-tourism, choosing to raise climbing fees and cap daily visitors. More than 200,000 people climbed the Japanese landmark between July and September 2024, a significant reduction from 2023’s record figures. When the trails open in July this year, hikers on Mount Fuji’s four main trails will be charged a fee of 4,000 yen (AUD$43).