In brief
A 27-year-old Chinese university student was rescued twice in a span of four days after he attempted to retrieve his lost mobile phone from the slopes of Mount Fuji, climbing outside of its official season.
In a daring and dangerous venture, a 27-year-old university student from China, currently residing in Japan, faced multiple rescues while attempting to retrieve his lost mobile phone from Mount Fuji. His first rescue came on a Tuesday when he was airlifted by helicopter while traversing the Fujinomiya trail, approximately 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level, after he had lost his crampons—essential gear that enhances grip on icy surfaces.Despite the dangers, he returned to the mountain several days later to reclaim not only his phone but other items left behind during his initial climb. Unfortunately, this second attempt landed him in serious trouble; he displayed signs of altitude sickness and required rescue once again on Saturday. Authorities report that he is currently out of danger.Climbing Mount Fuji outside the designated climbing season, which spans from early July to early September, is highly discouraged due to extreme weather conditions that could drastically affect safety. The environment ministry emphasizes that all trails to the summit are closed during this off-period, complicating any emergency interventions and leaving medical facilities along the trails non-operational.In light of these incidents, police in Shizuoka prefecture have reiterated the importance of adhering to safety protocols, with some social media commentators criticizing the student's decision. Among the voices calling for accountability, there are suggestions that he should be held financially responsible for the costs associated with both rescue missions.Mount Fuji, standing at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet), is internationally celebrated for its picturesque symmetry and has become a significant tourist hotspot in Japan. Authorities have reacted to increasing concerns over overtourism by implementing raised climbing fees. Notably, over 220,000 individuals tackled the mountain during the 2023 official climbing period.
