que pasa

If you're planning to climb Mt. Fuji in the summer and you're planning to spend a night at one of the cabins for a night, here's what I recommend you pack:

- Winter jacket (for strong winds and cold weather during the night and when ascending to the summit)
- Ear warmers & scarf, thermals/long johns (unless you're really resilient)
- Cap (provide shade under sun, block face from flying sands, keep head warm)
- Extra T-shirt and long sleeve shirt (layer as you go up)
- Wet wipes
- 2 litres of water
- Energy bars/snickers/beef jerky/biscuits
- High altitude meds (you don't realize you need it until you start feeling really sick, by which time it's too late, you can't turn back)
- Headlight (for lighting the way when you climb in the dark)
- Extra pair of thick socks
- Cash 2500 yen (5x100yen for toilet, 2000yen for buying a hot meal and drinks - you appreciate the hot food and basically become price insensitive at that point. there is no free hot water available in the cabins)
- Cards/book (something to entertain while resting at cabin)

Optional: camera, ipod, sunglasses

When you start at 5th station, wear long pants (i.e. cargo pants/jeans), hiking boots, t-shirt. cap to start.

Accomodation: I think it costs 6000yen to stay a night at the cabin - that's excluding the 2500yen cash you should bring for toilet and food.

Notes:
I've heard of people starting at the night (~10pm) and then making their way to the summit by sunrise (~430am) but I think that's too tough for anyone who's not trained or fit.  We started at 1245pm and reached our 8th station cabin at 5pm-ish.  I think latest you should start is 2pm, reach the cabin around 8pm, grab a hot meal, rest/sleep and then leave the cabin at 130-2am to ascend to the summit (~2-3hour climb because of the jam in human traffic, dark and narrow conditions and low oxygen level)

If you don't make it to the summit for sunrise, don't worry, you'll be able to see if from anywhere on your way up from 8th station. 

All the best and enjoy your climb!

P.S.  If you hate downhills, beware the EHOD (see my last post) and mentally brace yourself for a 4-5 hour descent...