Opinion | Check your fitness before ascending Fuji

Hiking scenic nature trails wherever they may be found is increasingly popular in an ever more urbanised world. It does not come without risks, even if it is remote from fast-paced city life.

The July-September climbing season on Japan’s famous Mount Fuji had barely begun when at least five people had perished on the slopes, including three people found separately near the volcanic crater towards the end of June.

Sadly one of the five was a Hong Kong civil servant, who set off with his wife on the popular Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi prefecture side at about 1.30pm on July 8.

About 8.30pm, at 3,100 metres on the 3,776m ascent, he felt unwell and lost consciousness before being rushed to a nearby medical station. He was later declared dead. Our thoughts are with the family and friends. There was no suggestion of mishap often associated with hiking casualties, such as a fall or getting lost.

That serves as a reminder that even on holiday in a safe, civilised place – popular with Hongkongers – there is a need to be careful and properly prepared for hazards beyond misadventure. If a hiker is unprepared, runs out of water or is tired, for example, these are just among many factors that can trigger health risks, including unknown heart conditions.

Just before the season opened a professional climber aged 38 died after being found unconscious as he ascended the mountain from the Yamanashi side.

One risk that must never be discounted at such extreme heights is altitude sickness. Indeed, veteran mountaineer Chung Kin-man told the Post that Hongkongers planning the increasingly popular ascent of Japan’s tallest mountain should check with their doctors whether they are suitable to hike to such high altitudes.

“Altitude sickness hits everyone at a different speed and the body needs time to adapt,” he said. “If hikers start feeling symptoms like headaches, nausea or shortness of breath, they should inform their companions and rest.”

Mount Fuji’s steep, rocky slopes have become increasingly crowded day and night with more than 220,000 visitors during the summer hiking season, raising concerns over environmental damage as well as safety and prompting comparisons with the “traffic jam” of climbers at the peak of Mount Everest and littering of the slopes.