Myself and my partner are planning to climb mount Fuji on the 14th of August 2009 ( a Friday night) and stay at a hut on the 8th station and come back the following day.

We have purchased Hiking boots and shells(water proof,wind resistant and quite warm) and have warm fleece like jumpers/jackets.

We are going to get some gloves,beanie/hats and head lamps.

I have a few questions that I hope someone would be able to help with.

We have tried to call some of the huts on the 8th station, but the same non-english speaking man seems to be answering for all them. It would have been around 6pm on 21st July. Does anyone have any advice how we can book a hut?

We are planning on getting the bus from Shinjuku to the 5th station. Is there an easy way to book tickets?

I have seen pictures of people climbing in early June and there seems to be a lot of snow and ice, Is it likely to be the same in Mid August?

Many thanks in advance.

It might be too late to find vacancies, as August 14 will be one of the busiest days of the season. The following page lists phone numbers:
http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/ht...

We are planning on getting the bus from Shinjuku to the 5th station. Is there an easy way to book tickets?

If you can read Japanese, you can book online:
https://www.highwaybus.com/rs-web01-prd-rel/gp/reservat...

Thanks for the tip on the bus... We might get our Japanese speaking friend to book that as well.

I've been reading and watching some youtube video's of people climbing mount fuji and what I've noticed is people are wearing shorts! whilst some are wearing denim jeans and others ski-like pants.

I know the key is to wear lots of layers so you can strip down or layer up depending on the temperature... but what have those of you who have climb down in regards to the lower part of the body? I've got some ski-ing pants which are quite warm, but I'm afraid they'll be too warm...

Any suggestions?

cheers.

Thanks... I'll look into hiking poles, my local store has a sale on, 50% off them, they have some retractable ones I saw.

Ski Pants will be too hot and bulky for climbing. Opt for wicking shorts and layer a wind/rain proof breathable layer over that which will store easily in your pack. "

Do you think that will be warm enough? I gets really cold up the top doesn't it?

This is the time to invest in performance clothing that will keep you dry and comfortable (and safe). If you are sweating up a storm and then exposed to cold wind, it could be seriously bad! Hope this helps...

Just shorts and the waterproof pants would not be enough in my opinion, and only wearing shorts for an overnight limb is foolhardy.

A hat and something to keep your neck warm would be very good additions.

I know people die climbing mount Fuji every year, but I believe its a small percentage, just like people die walking in the blue mountains every year near where I live...

I feel well prepared at the moment;

We have multiple layers, including good thermal gear.

We have purchased hard waterproof and breathable shells (Events - more breathable then gortex).

I have themrmal beanies/hats.

Thermal balaclava.

Thermal long sleeve and long johns.

Proper hiking boots.

Hiking polls.

Cover over water proof pants.

We will be taking up water and snacks.

We have booked into a hut on the 8th station, and will be aiming to get u there before sunset. to minimise moving in the dark.

We have purchase Cree based 130 lumen headlamps aswell.

The time we are going we expect it to be extremely busy as well.

It is hard to prepare for falling rocks... so if you have any advice besides just sticking to the trail please let me know.

We will take it slow to hopefully avoid altitude sicknes... maybe get some oxygen in a can.
many thanks.

Are there places to change clothes, add remove layers along the way?

There are toilets outside some of the huts. Not a lot of space but it's manageable. I found the oxygen cans to be really helpful for keeping the headaches away and getting my breath back near the top of the mountain.

So many people climb each year, I think that you would have to be very unlucky to be hit by a falling rock and there is not much you can do to avoid it.