THROWBACK THURSDAY | Climbing Mount Fuji: 8 Hours of Hell
Added 2017-12-07 14:36:29 +0000 UTCHey guys!
I hope you're having a great week so far!
Today saw the release of a new video: "Day in My Life | Living in Japan"
After 5 years I finally caved in and made a “Day in my life" video; from waking up and having a shower, to riding a bullet train and being on Japanese TV. Discover my greatest weakness, what I eat for breakfast every morning, and how awkward and bizarre Japanese award shows are. And most importantly, let's unravel WHAT'S IN THE BOX.
► You can check it out here! https://youtu.be/rSkk3RocnY0
Hopefully that'll keep you entertained until the next Patreon vlog, which is out over the weekend, so keep an eye out folks!
In the mean time though, it's time for "THROWBACK THURSDAY" where every week l introduce a video from the Abroad in Japan channel from years ago, that you've probably never heard of, and talk a bit about it from a behind the scenes perspective!
This week: 2013's Climbing Mount Fuji video! A journey in which we ascended Japan's iconic volcano throughout the night - nearly getting frostbite along the way - to arrive in time for the fabulous sunrise. People always tell me this is one of their favourite videos. God knows why. It's basically just 14 minutes of swearing and whinging in pain.
"Climbing Mount Fuji | 8 Hours of Hell"
-> https://youtu.be/gtt583ruGAI
There's a proverb in Japan; "A wise man climbs Mount Fuji once. A fool climbs it twice."
Unless you're really into your mountain climbing, I can see why that proverb makes sense, as I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed climbing Mount Fuji.
Having lived in Japan for just over one year, my good friend George came over for three weeks and we set about travelling Japan, from Tokyo to Hiroshima, via Kyoto and Kobe.
Top of our to-do list though was to climb Mount Fuji. However, we did almost no research in advance outside of booking the bus. We did most of our research in a McDonald's in Tokyo, the morning before we set off.
We arrived for the climb, woefully underdressed in t-shirts and shorts, to the shock and surprise of fellow Japanese climbers, and as we climbed higher and the temperature dropped, it became clear we were screwed.
Whilst I'd had the foresight to bring a ski jacket (although I was pretty much wearing extended shorts), my friend George came in t-shirts and shorts, dressed like a British tourist on a holiday to Spain. Honestly, I've never seen someone shiver so much, and once we reached the summit and enjoyed the sunrise, we had to get down quickly before he ended up with frostbite.
Whilst the view was undeniably good, at times it was simply too busy to truly appreciate the climb.
When you climb a mountain, you don't expect to have to queue to reach the summit; the night I did it, there were hundreds - if not thousands - of fellow climbers, which meant for the last hour or so, you're walking up it slowly in a line.
Finally, once you reach the top, you're rewarded with the view of vending machines. At times, it felt like Mount Fuji was less a natural wonder and more like some kind of theme park attraction.
That said, I don't regret climbing it and I'd definitely consider doing it again - albeit not at night time. My advice to aspiring Fuji climbers would be, don't bother climbing it for the sunrise. Just climb up it during the day instead and enjoy a far less crowded climb, with the entire day to enjoy the views as you make your ascent!
Good luck! (And if you've already climbed Fuji, let us know your secret tips for success in the comments section below!)
- Chris
Comments
One of the first videos I saw from the channel! I've probably watched it 15 times by this point, I always make a semi-monthly pilgrimage back to watch it. I'll never get over the vending machine at the top of the mountain.
2017-12-14 17:32:26 +0000 UTCRegarding climbing Mt Fuji. Be sure to get enough sleep! I have a few ambitious friends who climbed the mountain just the next day they arrived Haneda without proper sleep. Just don't.
2017-12-14 00:14:04 +0000 UTCMy Mad Lady, what?? hahaha, didn't realise I was making a point, was just recalling a memory from when I was 13 or 14 ish, but I'm glad you think it's a good one, and I remember it being a good one indeed!
2017-12-13 11:40:42 +0000 UTCYou forgot to tell us what number you were in the keyword contest in your day in the life video!! That iron has it in for you BTW.
2017-12-10 04:36:27 +0000 UTCThe Fuji video was one of my favourites so far. So many of my Japanese clients wax lyrical about Fuji-san, and then you get the realist who tells you about the forest on the lower slopes that is Japan's top place to go to top yourself, plus the godawful problems with tourist litter. You know, I've had to introduce the word 'litter' to a lot of my Japanese clients. It literally isn't in their vocabulary.
2017-12-09 08:17:15 +0000 UTCA great (night in the life?) video of you climbing mt fuji! Content like this and all the other videos you produce is one of the reasons we keep resubbing to Patreon! Keep up the great work!
2017-12-09 01:20:12 +0000 UTCThis was my first video I saw from you and it remains my absolute favourite.
2017-12-09 01:02:33 +0000 UTCRyan, while you have a point (and a good one) there are some people that just click on a couple videos and then go do other stuff or go to other videos. I imagine that's kinda what he's getting at. I understand your point completely as I have binged a lot of Brian's videos already and I'm glad to help out monetarily as well.
Bitey Mad Lady
2017-12-08 17:32:54 +0000 UTCRemember being recommended this through youtube 4 years ago and staying up all night and binge watching every video on your channel for the first time! I had no interest or idea about Japan before finding your channel and this video, but holy foook it gave me direction and meaning in life. (for some strange reason, as the videos about 2 men complaing their way up a 4000m volcano) Thanks Chris, never stop what your doing, Also never stop swearing in your videos!!!
2017-12-08 15:03:41 +0000 UTC„You’re probably never heard of“ I don’t speak for everyone, but bingeing every video on the channel usually comes before throwing actual money at the creator. Your assumption, that I don’t know more about you than I should, insults me
Ryan Wolf
2017-12-08 12:04:39 +0000 UTCMore Pocari Sweat was obviously needed on this climb to make things super easy and comfortable (Fuji vid).
2017-12-08 10:55:26 +0000 UTCThe Japanese hotel iron - I absolutely felt your pain. I had one like that in Kyoto and fought that sucker and I DO know how to iron. In fact, I'm usually quite adept at ironing (it's the little things isn't it?). I was so traumatised by my experience I'm considering travelling with an iron next time I go to Japan just to avoid having to face one of those suckers down. Loved your day in the life, but I'm glad you don't do them all the time. And I agree with Nynke, cut the banana up and put it on the oatmeal.
Dr Dia
2017-12-08 05:32:09 +0000 UTCGod ive seen that video at least 30 times. Quite possibly one of my favourites.
2017-12-07 21:08:32 +0000 UTCWhat I really wanted to say, though: please, Chris, try cutting up the banana and putting it in your oatmeal! It's so much better that way...
Nynke de Haas
2017-12-07 20:32:22 +0000 UTCI'd seen this during my great bout of watching all the videos when I discovered this channel in spring. Still, it's nice to be reminded of it and hear a bit more about the experience!
Nynke de Haas
2017-12-07 20:30:29 +0000 UTC
