After returning to the resort, the group set off to buy hiking gear.
Outdoor equipment stores are quite common in Fujiyoshida City, perhaps because Mount Fuji is nearby, attracting many people to climb it.
They found the largest outdoor equipment store in the city and went inside to start choosing the gear they wanted.
Wearing a T-shirt while hiking looks a bit unprofessional, especially at such a high altitude with low temperatures; you'll need to buy some clothes.
While a windbreaker may not be the most fashionable item, it's perfect for this situation.
At this outdoor gear store, the group purchased all their equipment: waterproof jackets, trekking poles, hiking boots, headlamps, backpacks, water bottles, and more.
I also bought some medications to prevent altitude sickness, as well as first-aid supplies such as bandages.
It's not that I'm afraid I won't need it, it's that I'll need it and not have it.
Making thorough preparations is definitely the right thing to do.
After preparing these items, Guangyou and his group returned to the resort by car.
There won't be any barbecue today, so let's go to bed early and get plenty of rest for tomorrow's challenging mountain hike.
The next morning at 10:00 AM, Guangyou and his group got ready and boarded the bus to the 5th station.
Mount Fuji is divided into ten sections from its base to its summit, each called a "gate." The so-called fifth gate is, in layman's terms, halfway up the mountain.
The highest point the bus reaches is the 5th station, at an altitude of 2,305 meters. The 5th station has also been renovated and transformed into a leisure platform frequented by many tourists.
There are many restaurants and souvenir shops at the 5th station, as well as a post office where people can write postcards and other souvenirs.
After getting off the bus, Guangyou and his group randomly picked a restaurant at the 5th Station to fill their stomachs.
This area can also be considered a scenic spot, a must-visit location for many tourists when they come to Mount Fuji.
Food in tourist areas is always much more expensive than in other places; a bowl of noodles here costs 30% more than noodles in a regular restaurant.
The taste was only so-so, and the extra cost was really a pity for Guangyou.
After finishing their meal, Xiaolan and the others were about to leave when Guangyou called them back.
"We need to discuss which route to take up the mountain."
There are four main climbing routes for Mount Fuji: Fujinomiya Route, Subashiro Route, Gotemba Route, and Yoshida Route. Each route has different conditions and takes different amounts of time, so choosing a route is very important.
Sonoko frowned and asked, "They should be about the same, right? Are there any differences?"
Guangyou nodded and explained, "The difference is quite significant. For example, the Yoshida Line has the longest history of operation, so there are many small houses along the roadside, and the facilities are very complete."
"The trail is relatively easy to follow, and there are small huts at each station. However, because there is a forest, it gets foggy at night, making it easy to get lost."
"The Gotemba Line has very few facilities, not even many toilets, and nowhere to replenish energy, so it requires a lot of physical strength. The only advantage is that there are not many tourists."
"The Fujinomiya Line has few facilities and is closest to the summit, but the trail is not easy to walk; it is very steep and mostly consists of rocky terrain."
These routes each have their own unique features, and the choice depends on the climber's individual circumstances.
If you have mountaineering experience, you can choose a route like the Gotemba Line as a challenge.
However, judging from the situation of the people present, the Gotemba route and the Fujinomiya route have been eliminated.
"Let's stick with the Yoshida Line. You don't have that much experience, and there are plenty of cabins along it, so you can rest for a while after each trip."
Kouyu decided to take the Yoshida route. Ran might be okay, but Ai, Sonoko, and Conan definitely wouldn't have the stamina for such a difficult route.
Once the route was finalized, it was time to set off.
Before setting off, Guangyou went to the souvenir shop and bought four Vajra Staffs.
The Vajra staff can also be used as a trekking pole, serving its function as a trekking pole while also carrying extraordinary commemorative significance.
The Vajra Staff of Mount Fuji is octagonal, representing the eight peaks of Mount Fuji, and is also a symbol of spiritual practice.
It's already noon, so it's about time to set off.
Each station indicates how long it will take to get from your current location to the next station. From the fifth station to the sixth station on the Yoshida Line, the sign says it will take forty minutes.
Unlike other mountains, Mount Fuji is a volcano, so there is nothing to see along the way except for clouds and mist.
The road between the 5th and 6th stations is mostly a flat gravel road.
Today the weather is sunny, which is a blessing from heaven, making the mountain climbing trip easier.
The current altitude is over 2,300 meters. Looking out from the side, you can see lush greenery covering the mountains and fields, which is very pleasing to the eye.
Mount Fuji isn't a place you can just climb whenever you want. It's only open for a limited time in July and August each year, and is under maintenance the rest of the time.
There is a 1,000 yen environmental protection fee for mountain climbing, which is equivalent to more than 60 RMB.
The money wasn't wasted. After paying, Kōyū and his group each received a wooden pendant with a Mount Fuji design. Judging by what they brought back, these items weren't worth a thousand yen, but for the scenery, it was worth it.
This money could also be considered entrance fee, but unfortunately, not all of it went into the pockets of those in power.
Mount Fuji is privately owned and does not belong to Japan. People can climb the mountain, but they have to pay money to the Asama Shrine every year.
Ai Haibara added from the side, "To be precise, the ownership of the part of Mount Fuji above 3360 meters above sea level belongs to Asama Shrine."
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