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(last updated 31 January 2005)

On August 2, 2001, Bil, Jessica and Stephanie climbed Ft. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan (3776 meters or 12,460 feet). Here are a couple of photos from a distance.

Above shows Fuji-san's more famous faces during most of the year. By waiting until early August, the climb was much easier (no snow). Below is a photo of what the mountain looked like when we climbed in mid-summer.

          Steep!!!                             Stephanie at sunrise from 12,000 feet

   
      The summit 12,460'                The burned, ragged crater looks ready to blow!

We climbed through the night; saw a spectacular sunrise, and enjoyed beautiful calm, sunny weather at the summit. It took us 15 hours to reach the summit, and about 5 hours to come down. We were dirty and exhausted, but very pleased with ourselves.

Fuji is an active volcano (dormant, but NOT extinct.) The crater looks like it could erupt again at any minute. The last major eruption was in 1709, and it is long overdue for some more activity. Recently, it has had more than normal seismic activity suggesting an eruption some time in the future.