World Everesting Project - Everesting #1 Mount Fuji

Listed as a World Heritage site, Mount Fuji is easily one of the world’s most recognisable Mountains. Located on Island of Honshu, it is this is Japan’s highest and most sacred Mountain which has a beautiful cone shape peak rising to 3,776 metres above sea level. This is a climb for the mountain goats. There are four ascents to choose from. All are extremely hard!

Words - Brendan Edwards

Dave Edwards starts the monumental and most eric of eric challenges tonight - The #WorldEverestingProject

CLIMB STATS

Distance: 11km
Average Gradient: 10%
Elevation Gained: 1,117 metres
Surface: Sealed

Link to the Strava segment here

This is the first climb of the world Everest project.  Dave Edwards will be taking on 5 climbs in 5 countries over 2 weeks.  Dave will be taking on the eastern climb up the Azami Line ascent.  The climb begins from Subashiri.  This ascent is 11 km long, with an average gradient of 10%. If you’re wondering how hard this is, the climb from the Gantry up Mount Baw Baw is considered one of Australia’s toughest climbs.  Mount Fuji is almost twice as long……….

The Azami line is the shortest of the four ascents, but has the benefit of being the quietest of the four roads. There is not that much traffic, and most importantly does not attract the bigger vehicles such as busses that make the other ascents uncomfortable on the narrow roads.

Not only is this climb incredibly steep.  Its one of those nasty climbs that gets steeper and steeper the higher you go.  The ascent is up a fairly straight line directly up the east side of the Mountain.  The first half of the climb is a dead straight.  This type of climb is very challenging.  Without corners, all you will see is a road going up into the heavens with no respite in sight.  No matter the scenery, you will want to have a good “happy place” for your mind to go.  A climb like this you will face many demons, and your body will scream in agony as you grind your way up a climb which will seem to go on forever.

The climb gets steeper, halfway up the mountain and the second half of the climb consists of switchback after switchback, with some incredibly steep pinches heading upwards of 20% along the way.  The first part of the climb will seem like a picnic compared to this.  Your lungs will be screaming.  Your legs will be threatening to go on strike.  With switchbacks, at least you don’t have to see that far up the road.

Mount Fuji is a mystical place to the Japanese, and is a climb that you can’t take lightly.  Only the strongest will make it up to the top.  If you thought Mount Baw Baw was hard…….

Location

100 km south-west of Tokyo between the prefectures of Shizuoka and Yumanashi

Best time of year to climb

Late July to late August when the weather condtions are stable (Please note that between the 13th – 17th August Japan has the long holiday week (Bon holidays) and Mount Fuji becomes very busy during this time.

Temperature

Expect cold conditions up top. Even in mid-summer, the average temperature at the summit is between 5 – 8 degrees. Don’t underestimate the difference in temperature from the base to the top, and bring suitable clothing for the   cold descent.