Cycled in clock wise loop starting from Mt. Fuji station on the north end and finishing at Lake Kawaguchi station. I knew a typhoon was barreling in on the second day and wanted to beat the initial winds and rain before the eye crossed Tokyo late in the evening.
Took the train to Mt Fuji Station wondering whether I’ll get a good view of the iconic mountain. As we got to closer to the destination, the conductor announced that we should look towards our left.
From the train window
Mt. Fuji station, Yamanashi
My first stop was a visit to the Yoshida trail. This is one of the two official starting point in the climb up Mt Fuji, but most people take the bus to the fifth station. Yoshida trail is the oldest and most popular route. Completing it will reward you with a special certificate honoring your full climb to the summit.
I swapped my 700x40c in favor of 700x28c, no backpack this time.
The trail head and possible future off road adventure?
Lake Yamanaka
Oyama, Shizuoka
Gotemba
Fuji City
Camped at The Green Campground inside Marubi Nature Park
https://www.fuji-marubi.jp/キャンプ場案内-ご予約方法/
¥500 per night per person. No fires except in a designated area. Internet reservation required.
The site is operated by Fuji City and used by their school children. There are only a few campsites good for hammocks. I had reserved site #28 after seeing photo of the spot from their website. But after arriving to check in, the operator warned me that most of the east wing where I was going to camp was crowded with school children. The west wing, more than 100 meters away only had 2 groups and I was told I could take any open spot there.
So Lucky 13
The mosquitoes were all out and a hornet made its patrol, harassing me every 15 minutes. It took a while to set up camp as I was hot, exhausted and in no mood to further exert my body.
Day 1 was mostly downhill but with an exceptionally hard climb near the end under a brutal sun. I should have enjoyed speeding down the hillside but I knew all the elevation loss had to be made up tomorrow.
At camp, I was still struggling to get my body cool and the heat and humidity of the day’s end did not help.
Luckily the temps dropped with the sun and I was able to sleep comfortably.
I woke up the next day an hour later than I had planned... curse you comfy hammock and er, fatigue...
Need to get going
Morning, Fuji City and the storm has not yet arrived
Fujinomiya
Another look, Fujinomiya
The next three hours were a grind back up. No jelly legs this time but I really started to worry if I can manage to complete it in time.
A much needed rest along a busy road
Near the finish at Lake Kawaguchi
Day 2
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