富士山頂は冬の寒さ。視界不良と突風に警戒

Mount Fuji summit currently registers minus 0.3 degrees Celsius with a feels-like temperature of minus 3.4 degrees at 07:45. The 99 percent humidity makes the cold biting. Throughout the day, temperatures will hover between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius, but due to Mount Fuji's characteristic as an isolated peak, gusts of around 9 meters per second will keep the perceived temperature consistently below freezing. The exposed slopes above the 5th station, particularly on the Yoshida and Fujinomiya routes, will be significantly impacted by wind.

Warm clothing is essential. A quick-drying base layer, a fleece or light down mid-layer, and a waterproof-breathable hard shell outer layer are required. Waterproof gloves and a knit hat are also mandatory. Ground conditions show no snow, and while a slight drizzle is possible during the day, the steep volcanic scree slopes will generally be wet. Consider the possibility of icy patches remaining in shaded areas and depressions. While crampons or microspikes are not necessary, trekking poles will be beneficial for preventing slips.

Current visibility is 3.3 kilometers, but this will worsen when entering clouds. If planning to traverse the crater rim, known as "O-hachi-meguri," exercise extreme caution against getting lost in poor visibility or losing balance due to strong winds. The significant temperature difference of 14.6 degrees Celsius between the summit and the base means rapid temperature drops and increased wind exposure with altitude gain, making frequent layering adjustments and awareness of altitude sickness crucial for safe ascent. While the risk of lightning is low, hypothermia can be avoided with proper cold weather gear.