3 bodies found near Mount Fuji’s crater: caution raised among climbers

Mount Fuji’s deadly climb: 3 bodies found at the summit. Experts warn of extreme cold and altitude sickness, stressing the importance of proper gear and preparation.

Is the iconic Japanese peak worth the risk?

Three bodies were found this week, Mount Fuji climbers caution, bringing the total number of deaths reported among climbers summiting Japan’s Mount Fuji ahead of the start of the climbing season to four.

The trio of bodies was found Wednesday, June 26, inside the volcano’s crater, according to The Japan Times.
Rescue teams found the bodies while they were searching for a 53-year-old missing man reported to be missing on Sunday, June 23. According to Japan Today and NHK national broadcaster, all of the climbers are believed to have climbed separately as far as information goes.

Information on the deceased

The 53-year-old man, named Eriko Takahashi, left in the evening on Friday, June 21. He also sent photographs taken near the summit to his family the next day. On 26 June, 38-year-old professional climber Keita Kurakami died at a local hospital. He had lost consciousness while climbing the volcano. Kurakami was an ambassador for rock climbing with Patagonia outdoor clothing company.

The 3,776-metre mountain’s official climbing season is coming

Climbing season on Mount Fuji technically has not begun. Therefore, it doesn’t officially open to climbers for the season until Monday, July 1.

Since Mount Fuji is snowed for most parts of the year, the best period for climbing would be between July and September. For this reason, many scale up the volcano at nighttime to hope for a glimpse of sunrise from the summit! Mount Fuji climbers caution.
Japanese police reported on Thursday one body was retrieved, while two remain on the mountain. The identity of the deceased was not confirmed: partly due to gender and age.