In brief
A Chinese student in Japan found himself in trouble after attempting to climb Mount Fuji outside of the official season, facing not one but two rescues in just four days.
The adventure began when he lost his crampons and couldn't descend the Fujinomiya trail at about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level. Rescued by helicopter on Tuesday, he made the risky decision to return to the mountain days later to retrieve his missing phone and belongings. Unfortunately, he succumbed to altitude sickness and needed rescuing again on Saturday, but thankfully he's now safe.Authorities emphasize that climbing outside the designated season, which runs from July to September, is incredibly risky due to rapidly changing weather and closed medical facilities. Following criticisms and safety warnings, local police reiterated their stance against off-season climbing to prevent further accidents. Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet), attracts over 220,000 climbers each summer, but raising climbing fees aims to tackle rising tourist numbers and ensure safety.
