. Jalbum 8.3 Climbing Mt. Fuji slides/IMG_2319.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 The 5th station where weary hikers rest before returning home. The 5th station where weary hikers rest before returning home. slides/IMG_2319.JPG slides/P6115080.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Luke and Matthew ready to go. Luke and Matthew ready to go. slides/P6115080.JPG slides/P6115083.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Luke, Sandy and Matthew. Luke, Sandy and Matthew. slides/P6115083.JPG slides/P6115086.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 This way to the mountain. Sorry Volcano This way to the mountain. Sorry Volcano slides/P6115086.JPG slides/IMG_2322.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 The climb to the 7th station is steep but the trail is not too bad. The air is starting to get thin. The climb to the 7th station is steep but the trail is not too bad. The air is starting to get thin. slides/IMG_2322.JPG slides/IMG_2324.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 That's a lot of switch-backs to get up the volcano That's a lot of switch-backs to get up the volcano slides/IMG_2324.JPG slides/IMG_2325.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Matthew Matthew slides/IMG_2325.JPG slides/P6115089.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Photo stop. We've been going for about an hour and a half. Photo stop. We've been going for about an hour and a half. slides/P6115089.JPG slides/IMG_2329.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Looking down from the 7th station at the trail we have just climbed. Looking down from the 7th station at the trail we have just climbed. slides/IMG_2329.JPG slides/IMG_2330.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 The next stage to the 8th station is a lot harder. Lots of boulders and difficult terrain. It's about 2.5 hours to the 8th station over this stuff. The next stage to the 8th station is a lot harder. Lots of boulders and difficult terrain. It's about 2.5 hours to the 8th station over this stuff. slides/IMG_2330.JPG slides/IMG_2331.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Climbing to the 8th station. Climbing to the 8th station. slides/IMG_2331.JPG slides/IMG_2332.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Sandy taking a breather. Sandy taking a breather. slides/IMG_2332.JPG slides/P6115105.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 The 8th station. This is about 10,000 ft above sea level. The 8th station. This is about 10,000 ft above sea level. slides/P6115105.JPG slides/IMG_2334.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 The air is thin and Luke suffers from altitude sickness. Fortunately he has a little cylinder of Oxygen to take the edge off. The air is thin and Luke suffers from altitude sickness. Fortunately he has a little cylinder of Oxygen to take the edge off. slides/IMG_2334.JPG slides/P6115104.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Luke reaching the 8.5 station. Barely. Luke reaching the 8.5 station. Barely. slides/P6115104.JPG slides/IMG_2335.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Going on up to the 9th station the trail gets easier but steeper. The thin air makes it very hard. Going on up to the 9th station the trail gets easier but steeper. The thin air makes it very hard. slides/IMG_2335.JPG slides/IMG_2342.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 The trail leading up to the 9th station. The trail leading up to the 9th station. slides/IMG_2342.JPG slides/P6115108.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Matthew trying to convince Luke that this climbing Mount Fuji was a good idea. Matthew trying to convince Luke that this climbing Mount Fuji was a good idea. slides/P6115108.JPG slides/P6115111.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Luke reaches the top, not feeling so well. After 7 hours, it's time for a nap. Luke reaches the top, not feeling so well. After 7 hours, it's time for a nap. slides/P6115111.JPG slides/IMG_2344.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Luke at the top of Mount Fuji (about 12,000 feet above sea level). Luke at the top of Mount Fuji (about 12,000 feet above sea level). slides/IMG_2344.JPG slides/IMG_2347.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 It wouldn't be Japan without a drink machine at the top of the volcano. It wouldn't be Japan without a drink machine at the top of the volcano. slides/IMG_2347.JPG slides/IMG_2353.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Look at the pretty clouds. They are so far below us. Look at the pretty clouds. They are so far below us. slides/IMG_2353.JPG slides/IMG_2355.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Down was less tiring but hard on the joints. Pretty awsome view though. Down was less tiring but hard on the joints. Pretty awsome view though. slides/IMG_2355.JPG slides/IMG_2356.html# Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:08:13 +0900 Sun is setting and we are still a couple of hours away from reaching the 5th station. Sun is setting and we are still a couple of hours away from reaching the 5th station. slides/IMG_2356.JPG