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Police and rescue workers continued their search Saturday for eight climbers missing on mountains in Japan.
Four members of a Tokyo mountaineering club, aged between 29 and 45, have been missing since Dec 30 on Mt Tsurugi in the Northern Alps in Toyama. Police said they were supposed to arrive at a cabin last Wednesday during their descent but never showed up.
NHK reported that the area has been hit by blizzards all week, with snow waist deep. Poor visibility and a high risk of avalanches have hampered search operations.
Meanwhile, police continued searching for four other missing climbers on Mt Myojin in the Northern Alps, in the Southern Alps and on Mount Fuji.
The body of another missing climber was found Saturday afternoon on Mount Fuji at an altitude of 2,000 meters, NHK reported.
© Japan Today
13 Comments
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CapnSinbad
What is it with climbing mountains in the dead of winter ? I mean, common sense should prevail without hesitation. Doesn't look good for these folk though. Best of luck to them.
hereforever
I agree with CapnSinbad. I and my wife have climbed quite a number of mountains over the years. Can't see us climbing in that weather. Like you said, common sense! Hope they come out of this safe.
Yubaru
First off, and this is not meant sarcastically, when it comes to "common sense", Japanese people in general are lacking it BIG time.
Secondly why in the dead of winter? Because for many of these folks it's the only time of the year they can all get off together at the same time.
I hope they are safe, but I certainly dont want to see the "rescue" bill.
my2sense
That is so true. I tend to judge these stories in Japan with my Nihonjinron hat on.
hereforever
Yubaru, it's about one million yen for one helicopter rescue.....which is why my wife and I have climber's insurance.
Herve Nmn L'Eisa
Many climbers, as opposed to hikers, have the goal of reaching the summits of certain mountains progressively with the longer term goal of climbing Everest, the Road to Everest it's called. It's about the challenge. These are not day-hikers.
noriyosan73
Students who don't know how to swim in the rivers during the summer, teachers who make foolish decisions to allow students to use the canoe in the rivers during the winter, and now people who go up snow covered mountains unfortunately end in a tragic loss of life. Live life to the fullest, but not the dumbest.
smithinjapan
noriyosan: "Students who don't know how to swim in the rivers during the summer, teachers who make foolish decisions to allow students to use the canoe in the rivers during the winter, and now people who go up snow covered mountains unfortunately end in a tragic loss of life."
That and the elderly eating mochi that's not cut up. You took the words out of my mouth.
noriyosan73
Someone needs to take the full-sized mochi out the mouths of the elderly. Just who is the adult in these situations?
Nessie
The mountains are beautiful in winter. I was up this past weekend. There really is nothing like a winter climb, assuming you're prepared and you know the terrain. Also, there are some peaks that are only accessible in winter.
smithinjapan
noriyasan: "Just who is the adult in these situations?"
No one, since every year we have to read about how many elderly choked on mochi.
Nessie: "...assuming you're prepared and you know the terrain."
Therein lies the rub.
pumpkin31526
If they were organised and carried proper survival kit and they found/made a shelter theres still a chance for them. I hope they are found in time.