SHIZUOKA, Jun 14 (News On Japan) –
A everlasting gate has been put in on the Yamanashi Prefecture entrance to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji, unveiled on June 13. Authorities hope the brand new measure will assist handle the continuing downside of reckless climbing makes an attempt.
According to Yamanashi Prefecture, the steel-framed gate is roughly 8 meters large and three.5 meters tall, with a development price of round 15 million yen. During the summer season climbing season beginning July 1, the gate will stay open from 3 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed in any respect different instances. In addition, the variety of climbers will probably be capped at 4,000 per day, with every climber required to pay a passage charge of 4,000 yen per journey.
Security personnel will probably be stationed on the gate 24 hours a day all through the climbing interval. Climbers with reservations at mountain huts will probably be allowed to move outdoors of standard working hours. One of the most important security issues has been so-called “bullet climbing,” the place climbers try to succeed in the summit in a single day with out satisfactory relaxation. A brief gate put in by Yamanashi Prefecture in 2024 considerably decreased these harmful makes an attempt.
However, consideration has since turned to climbers trying to succeed in the summit carrying solely T-shirts, sandals, or different inadequate gear. To handle this challenge, Yamanashi Prefecture has strengthened its deployment of “Mt. Fuji Rangers,” prefectural employees skilled to intervene with poorly geared up climbers. Their coaching was additionally demonstrated on June 13. During the drill, one role-playing climber argued, “We always climb like this. Why can’t we go? We don’t have time, let us through quickly.” The ranger responded, “We want everyone to enjoy climbing Mt. Fuji, but your safety is our top priority. In your current outfit, it would be extremely dangerous, so we cannot let you pass.”
Under the brand new system, prefectural employees could have the authority to refuse entry to climbers missing enough gear. One vacationer observing the measures commented, “I think it’s necessary to prevent accidents. If you consider the need for helicopter rescues in case of emergencies, it’s better to have restrictions.”
Meanwhile, on the Shizuoka Prefecture aspect, the place the climbing season formally opens on July 10, native authorities say putting in an analogous gate could be tough resulting from variations in terrain. However, they’re dashing to arrange non permanent huts close to the trailhead to test climbers’ gear and clothes as a part of their very own security efforts.
Source: FNN