We survived.

According to Patricia Schultz's book, 1000 places to see before you die, seeing the sun rise from the top of Mount Fuji is regarded as one of the most moving natural experiences you can have on our ball of clay.

She forgot to mention that you will also be stiff as a plank, your eyes will be bloodshot from volcanic dust that had been sandblasting your retinas for the past few hours, you'll lose basic speech ability, you will be shaking like a reed from the cold, even with 5 jackets layered over each other, and the wind will cut into your lips so much that it'll still be peeling two days later.

Even with the physical discomforts, the garaikou (sunrise) was an awe-inspiring sight. I felt on top of the world, looking down at creation. The sunrise started as a neon pink smear across the horison. It grew and progressed to become orange, yellow, golden. It touched the clouds, forming spaceships and alternate universes across the expansive horison.

I was surprised to see how many people had come to climb through the darkest night for eight or nine hours, just to see the sun rise. Earlier, we looked down during water breaks to see caterpillars of lights ascend the mountain. Strings of Japanese climbers, each equipped with a different coloured light, walked in long, snaking rows with the bells on their walking sticks echoing through the night. People from all over the world sat on top of the symmetrical emblem of Japan, huddled together for some warmth, waiting quietly for the skies to change colour.
PS, I went all the way there and back, and I did not take one photo of Fuji-san. I took photos of the thousands of bells hanging from the shrine at the top. I took photos of bleary-eyed fellow travellers. But not one of Fuji. Well, I suppose I can just google image it if I really want to.

PPS The above photo was taken with my keitai. I had reception on the top of Fuji! Hurrah for Docomo! Alas, there was no one that I wanted to phone.

PPPS Ta to Isabel who sent me the photos I sent her. Let's picture tennis! One day when I own a laptop, I promise to add some photos of bells, found only on top of the mountain.