A hike up Mount Fuji

Stars and Stripes reporter David J. Carter reports on his hike up Japan's Mount Fuji.

The popular trail is covered with thousands of other visitors both local and foreign.

An old Japanese saying goes, "A wise man climbs Mount Fuji once, but only a fool does it twice."

Looking up from the eighth station, I could see the summit clearly and knew the torment I’d put myself through in the hours preceding was going to pay off. Not that much further, I kept thinking. But as I’d come to realize throughout the day, looks on Mount Fuji can be deceiving.

Read the full story: Mount Fuji climb is tough, but worth it

Photo by Yuno-yuno