At an impressive 102 years and 51 days old, Kokichi Akuzawa (Japan) reached the peak of Mount Fuji – the country’s tallest peak at 3,776 m (12,388 ft).
The summit made him a record-breaking legend as the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji (male). And he did it after fighting back to health from heart failure.
As the honourary chairman of the Gunma Mountaneering Club, Kokichi climbs a mountain on almost a weekly basis. And in 2022, he conquered the Nabewariyama (1,272 m) to commemorate his 99th birthday.
However, this time he wanted to do something that no one his age had done before – take on Mount Fuji.
Kokichi had summited Mount Fuji before, most recently at the age of 96.
At 8:40 a.m. on 3 August, Kokichi started ascending Mount Fuji using the Yoshida route. It’s the easiest of the four routes leading up to the summit, but still far from simple. It usually takes around six hours to get to the top, meaning the monumental attempt would be tough for Kokichi.
Instead of tackling the route in a single day, Kokichi stretched his climb over three days, spending two nights in huts.
He was fortunate with the weather, enjoying fine conditions throughout. But he still experienced chills and high winds as he got higher up the mountain. On top of that, he had to deal with a drop in atmospheric pressure and inspired oxygen pressure, which is a challenge even for younger people.
While the first and second days went smoothly, the third day was tough for Kokichi. The high-altitude conditions left him feeling like he wanted to give up by the time he neared the ninth station.
Kokichi’s mountaineering buddies weren’t sure if they could encourage him to keep going, because he had been through so much already. He tripped over while climbing a mountain near his home in January and shortly afterwards fell ill with shingles, and then suffered a heart failure.
He fortunately survived all these misfortunes, but he had to work hard to get back in shape: he got up early every morning for an hour-long walk, and he climbed a mountain almost every week.
Knowing all this, no one could speak against Kokichi’s wish to give up near the ninth station… except his daughter Motoe, 70. She told him to carry on and to just take things one step at a time.
At 11 a.m. on 5 August, Kokichi successfully reached the summit of Mount Fuji. And on the summit, he signed the visitor book at the Fujisan Sengen Shrine. At the moment of his amazing feat he felt more relief than excitement.
But now with an official Guinness World Records certificate in his hand, Kokichi’s feelings have changed.
He said: “It was tough, and it felt a lot different to the last time I climbed it. I’m amazed that I made it to the top. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help. I’m feeling pleased now.”
When asked if he wants to climb Mount Fuji again, Kokichi joked “never again”.
“If you ask me next year, maybe you’ll get a different answer, but for now, I’m happy with that climb.”
AloJapan.com