SHIZUOKA (TR) – A 54-year-old man was rescued from Mount Fuji on Friday after becoming too exhausted to walk—marking his second time calling for emergency assistance in just two days, reports SBS (July 12).
The hiker, identified as a web writer residing in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, initially began his ascent via the Fujinomiya Trail. However, at around 2:00 p.m. on July 11, he contacted authorities from near the 8th station, claiming he was completely depleted and unable to continue.
Shizuoka Prefectural Police mountain rescue personnel rushed to the scene and instructed the man to rest at a mountain hut at the 7th station. After getting about 11 hours of sleep, he began his descent at 6:45 a.m. the following morning.
His journey down, however, was short-lived. After descending just 300 meters over the course of an hour, he stopped to rest due to foot pain. He managed to push forward another 100 meters over the next hour before reaching his absolute limit.
Telling authorities, “It’s no use after all,” and “I’m too tired to move,” the man dialed for rescue once again at around 10:00 a.m.
Rescue squad members met with the stranded hiker. They subsequently escorted him down the mountain, with the man ultimately completing the descent on his own two feet.
According to police, the man was not a novice. He had previous climbing experience and was outfitted with proper mountaineering gear.
Following the incident, police issued a warning to the public, urging climbers to ensure their physical condition and equipment are fully prepared. “If you feel even the slightest anxiety about your health or the weather before starting, cancel your climb,” police stated.
