Heading into the final weeks of the hiking season, I knew I had limited opportunities to view Mt Fuji up close, I had to take my chance, so I did. This was not a planned trip, this was impromptu, this idea was put together at the last moment.

I had viewed Mt Fuji from afar on my first trip to Japan more than twenty years ago, the mountain is pretty much a symbol of Japan along with cherry blossoms, bonsai trees and geisha girls. It was incredible that I had viewed Mt Fuji from a distance, this was my opportunity, you never know when another opportunity arises.

It is generally accepted to allow five and a half hours to get to the peak of Mt Fuji. When I started hiking in a Billabong T-shirt, denim shorts and half a bottle of water, I hadn’t planned to head to the summit. Although I was wearing hiking boots, this was just a lucky confidence, this turned out to be great luck. 

I was constantly quizzed to make sure I wasn’t planning on heading to the peak and I answered a resounding no, I wasn’t planning that at all. Clearly, they were concerned as the temperatures are sub-zero on the summit even during summer but that wasn’t a problem. I had to push a quick pace, no chance of getting cold, I was covered in sweat. I spent 45 minutes at the summit, that was enough time to enjoy the amazing views, rest and recover so the descent wouldn’t be a problem. 

But, there is always a but – once I got going, I wanted to see the summit. So I knew I needed to crank up and that is what I did, in under 3 hours I was gazing over the temple and through the clouds. It is never that simple, the race to the summit was a challenge of personal endurance. I was making some fast progress, I was overtaking people and really cranking up the pace.