MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Cold, sandy wind attacks you from all directions, threatening your precarious position atop the volcanic rock, 12,388 feet above the sea. Your ears are numb; your eyes are stinging, yet what a lesser person might consider hell is your heaven. You look out over the horizon to see the sun peaking above distant mountains, painting the clouds with breathtaking strokes of pink and orange. Congratulations, you're on top of the world.
There's a reason hundreds of thousands of people journey from all parts of the world every year to make the approximate six-mile climb up Mount Fuji. As the tallest mountain in Japan, it offers one of the best views on earth. It is not surprising that this almost perfectly shaped volcano has been worshipped for centuries as a sacred mountain and experienced enormous popularity among poets, painters and other artists.
"It's quite a feeling being above the clouds," said Lance Cpl. Jonathan Chorle, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron tactical data network specialist. "It's one of those experiences that you have to do yourself to fully understand it."
Chorle recently completed the climb as part of an expedition from the Station.
"It was harder than I thought," Chorle said. "We started off with a lot of energy, but towards the end we were just working off determination."
Despite the high altitude, Chorle recommended the experience for anyone.
"The higher you go, the more strength you need to climb," Chorle said. "Your heart pounds more and you get a little foggy in the brain, but you can definitely do it. There was a group of school kids that passed us up about half way. At their age I was still learning to ride a bike."
The climb was no problem for Lance Cpl. Thomas Vilakis, Marine Aircraft Group 12 special intelligence operator. Despite unpredictable, cold weather, Vilakis made most of the ascent in sandals and Hawaiian shorts. Sleeping in a small hut near the top of the mountain, he waited until next morning's sunrise to summit.
"The view was breathtaking," he said. "Up there you could see everything." It's worth doing because it's the tallest mountain in Japan and it's a volcano. It's something no one should really miss."
With affordable lodging on the mountain and numerous tours, including three expeditions from the Station a year, Station residents have little excuse to miss the opportunity.
Mount Fuji is officially open for climbing during July and August via several routes. Climbers usually ascend the mountain on the first day, stay overnight at one of several huts near the crater, and descend on the following day.
For more information on climbing Mount Fuji, call the outdoor recreation office at 253-5534.