Some stories write themselves. Others climb 3,000 metres up a snowy Japanese volcano twice in one week, get altitude sickness twice in one week, and have to be rescued… yep—twice in one week. Strap in, because this one deserves its own feature on “Trailer Park Boys.”
A 27-year-old Chinese student (still unnamed, probably for dignity preservation purposes) was airlifted off Mount Fuji on April 22nd after getting a serious case of altitude sickness. Not ideal—but hey, it happens. Mount Fuji’s no joke, especially in the off-season. Snow, sub-zero temps, and oxygen levels that make every step feel like your lungs are filing for unemployment.
But here’s where things get spicy.
Four days later, our man is back on the mountain. Why? Not for spiritual enlightenment. Not for a new personal best. Nope—he went back to find his lost phone.
And guess what? He gets altitude sickness again.
A fellow climber found him immobile near the same altitude—roughly 3,000m up the Fujinomiya Trail, where conditions were just as miserable and icy as you’d expect in April. Another rescue. Another airlift. Another round of collective facepalming from the authorities.
No Fine, No Clue?
Technically, there’s no penalty in Japan for needing mountain rescue. It’s one of those “you mess up, we’ll still come get you” kinds of systems. But after the second rescue, Japanese social media lit up with outrage. The mood was less about “glad he’s okay” and more “charge him, now.”
And we tend to agree, because honestly – dragging trained rescuers up a snowy volcano during off-season conditions—twice—isn’t just careless, it’s dangerously dumb.
Mount Fuji Isn’t a Theme Park
Local police in Shizuoka reminded climbers (you know, for the second time this week) that Mount Fuji is still covered in snow and brutally cold in spring. Hiking season officially opens in July, and even then, it’s no Sunday stroll. Last year, authorities started capping climber numbers and charging entry fees on the most popular trail. More trails are expected to get the same treatment this year.
The problem is: off-season climbing is free. No bans, no fees, no staff. Just you, the ice, and your personal judgment—or lack thereof.
Clout vs Common Sense
Yes, we get it! Phones are expensive and your selfies with Mount Fuji in the background probably slapped. But is any of that worth a second rescue helicopter ride and another brush with hypoxia? Probably not.
Let this be your Wacky Wednesday PSA: If you need to be rescued off a mountain once, maybe don’t climb it again four days later—especially just to find your phone.
Because if there’s anything worse than being the guy who got rescued from Mount Fuji, it’s being the guy who got rescued twice from Mount Fuji… because he dropped his phone.
Priorities, people.
