Fuji

Here is another spectacular view on the way up to the 7th station. The little huts are the rest stations and "hotels" that are on the way up to the top of the mountain. From where I was at it looked like I would be up there in about 20 minutes. Not quite!

Its now 2:05 and I am at the seventh station (2,850 Meters). So far so good, but I take a half hour break at this station to admire the view and rest up. The air is getting thinner and I am getting a bit winded. But no need to pull out the Oxygen can yet.....

Its now 3:30. I stopped at two other 7th stations already (I did not realize that there was not just one 7th station) At this point I tagged along with a Japanese tour group to help pace me up the mountain. They are going very slow. The average age of the group must have been 60. The leader of the group must have been at least 90. At first I thought I could blow past them but as we continued I welcomed every rest stop that we made! Here we are stopping in the middle of the path to catch our breath. The view here was amazing!!

Its now 4:10. Finally I made it to the first of many 8th stations. The rest areas are getting narrower and the prices of drinks are getting more expensive. A 150 yen drink now costs 400 yen. Good thing I brought enough of my own water. Also getting a stamp burned on your stick costs 200 yen at every station. Other accessories are also sold at inflated prices at all stations. (such as the 400 yen Japanese flag that I added to my stick).

On the way to the next 8th station, one of the tour members takes my picture. He needed to try many times since my camera was acting strange as we were ascending up the mountain. The low atmosphere was making it act goofy (as well as making me act goofy!). I was getting light headed and dizzy as we were going up. Still have not used my portable Oxygen yet. Notice now I have my jacket on since its getting a bit cold.