Climbing from Gotemba �i1/13�j

On a clear day, there isn't too much problem finding you route, Gotemba route gets cloudy around the 5th and 6th station. If you can't see in front of you, DON'T MOVE. The cloud will usually pass by in few minutes.
You probably won't get too lost because Gotemba area is all ash covered and you'll be able to find the path once the cloud clears.
In low visibility, walk along the rope and poles.
Even if it's cloudy near the 5th and 6th station, the weather at the summit may be very good so don't give too much hope. If it's raining and thundering all around, it's not a very good idea to walk around too much because you might get struck with a lightening.

1. During the summer months, there will be a bus to the New Gotemba Fifth station (red line). To get on these buses, you'll need to buy a ticket a the ticket counter (blue circle) before getting on the bus. Even during other months, there are buses to Shonen no Ie (House for Boys).
   If you plan to walk the entire distance, follow the orange line passed the McDonald.
   If you're going to take the bus to the New Gotemba Fifth Station, skip to the third page.
   If you are planning on taking the bus, be sure to fill up your water bottles here at the station. If you are going to walk, there will be a park further down.
   There is a public toilet at the Gotemba New Fifth station so if you don't have time, do it there. If you have time, the toilets are shown by green circles. There is one inside the ticket turnstyle - turn right right after going up the stairs from the platform. There is also a toilet outside - go down the right staircase and walk a few steps straight.
   
   
2. Start early if you want to reach the summit before the sunsets. (7.30)
   After passing route 246, there was a sign saying it's 3.8 to Shonen no Ie where there is an US army base.
   
3. There is a sign saying 39Km to Fujimiya, 30Km to Fuji New 5th Station, but don't take too much heed to it. 30Km is to the Fujimiya New 5th station and not to the Gotemba New 5th Station.
   
4. Sakura Park near the Ryugahara (Dragon Field) - US Army base. This is the last public washroon before the Gotemba New Fifth Station. Fill up your water bottles here and go to the washroom here. I, also, wash up here on my way down.
   
5. Ryugahara. The left side is the US army base nad the right side is the Japanese self defense training base. (8:30)
   
6. Past the Japanese self defense base, there is a Seinen no Ie. This is the last stop for the regular bus from Gotemba. The mountain bus usually goes nonstop up the the Gotemba Fifth station and won't usually pick up passenger from this bus stop.
   
7. There is a sign saying it's 24Km to Fuji 5th Station. This just implies we've walked 6Km from the last sign.
   Look to the left side of the road. There should be poles with numbers on them. This is used to tell drivers the distance between the poles. Watch it increase as you walk. The road that's an entrance to the fifth station at 5.1 - that is, it 5.1Km from here.
   
8. Click on the picture to enlarge it. The pole with a while tag is the distance pole. Watch for them as you walk.
   The road gradually will begin to incline a little bit. Take you time here because we still have some distance to go.
   
9. There is a temperature sign. When I walked here, it was 14 Celsius. Remember, it gets colder as we climb higher. (Sept.16, 2006)
   
10. Umakaesi (Return Horse) is near the 2Km sign. There is a sign saying it's 1,016m above sea.
    This site is also the point where runners of Fuji Ekiden change.
    
    

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