I went to the summit of Mt. Fuji on September 8th to September 10th. The trails close on September 10th. I think by notifying the prefecture police that one can climb after season, however there is no support, lodges, water or bathrooms, so it gets exponentially more difficult.

This is a perfect event to take a group. I had to take my ex wife and she waited in the car (haha) while I climbed to the top and back down (20 hours because my cat (yes, Neko) went along with me). I hope she wasn't bored!! Well, when I got back she had hidden on some nearby trails and taken the car keys ransom or something. It was drama.

I was thinking about hiking off season, but I should note, this requires a lot of logistics, climbing gear, endurance and strength.

Or I could wait until next season in 2017!

Hi Umi_kaibutsu, Do you mean that currently, we can't climb the Fuji ?

well... my text disappeared!!!

I had written that it is CLOSED. However, with approval by the authorities, climbing is allowed.

http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/risk/guidelines.html

On September 9th, there was frozen water at the summit. I had 2 coats (Mammut & REI), Columbia winter boots, gloves, balaclava, winter gear. It is even colder now. It will quickly become incredibly dangerous and they will not approve after October I think.

I see. Thank you for sharing this with us.
I think that the best period to climb it is like in August, right ?
I suppose that you started at the 5th station.

Yes, 5th station on the Subaru line.

Well, I didn't make the summit by sunrise, so I was able to see the crowds descending the down trail as I made the last 400 meters up. I wonder if I would have been able to even take good photos if I had been there. it seems like it would be standing room only, there was SO many people descending right after sunrise...

When I arrived at the top, there were places to sit and relax. It's a Unesco site now, plus tourism is much greater over the past few years.

Anyway, I'm sure there's plenty to do before then. I'm up for some roadtrips or activities. I saw some trip plans, but it's sort of confusing. I wish there was a notes area so I can see what is the theme of some of the trips. I saw Paul post something Hokkaido I think.

I'll research further. Nice to meet you Bago.

Nice to meet you too Umi_kaibutsu.
I remember when I climbed it, it was in August 2008,
at that time there were no so many tourists ;).
8 years past! I was wondering the situation out there.
What was the majority of people ? Japaneses or Foreigners ?

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