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Authorities in Japan have rescued a climber from Mount Fuji twice within a week after he returned to retrieve his lost phone. The 27-year-old, a Chinese college student residing in Japan, was first rescued on Tuesday (April 22) after experiencing altitude sickness near the summit at 12,388 feet. He was airlifted from the Fujinomiya trail by helicopter.
Despite the initial rescue, the climber returned to Mount Fuji on Saturday (April 26) to recover belongings, including his phone, but fell ill again at an altitude of over 9,842 feet. Another climber alerted authorities, leading to his second rescue.
Climbing Mount Fuji outside the official season, which runs from July to September, is discouraged due to harsh conditions. The mountain is closed from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily to non-overnight hikers. New measures for the 2025 climbing season include a $28 permit fee and a limit of 4,000 visitors per day. These rules aim to address overcrowding and safety concerns.