First thing to remember about Mt Fuji, is she doesn't want people on her. She will let you think it's easy, then at the point of no return she'll test your soul. If you get near the summit, you earned her respect and she will let you pass.

Second thing is, there is no depth perception on Fuji. From any angle it looks like you are almost there and only have a little ways to go.
8 hours later you are still walking uphill.

The first part of the hike was the most deceiving part. It was mostly level and there was a wide trail. The weather was great and everyone was happy. 30 minutes later....

You arrive at the first station. You start at the 5th station, and 30 minutes later you arrive at the 6th station. Well that's easy, there are only 10 stations and I am already at the 6th after 30 minutes. Easy.

Then you walk and walk and walk and never get any closer. Zig zagging left and right constantly uphill. In the distance you can see lights from the rest huts, and the top is not that far away. But is that really the top?

Then you get to a hut and pay $80 for 3 hours of rest along with 400 other people, but space is tight so how do they fit so many people? By sleeping head to feet. You think feet that have climbed Fuji this far smell like roses?

When you go to sleep in the hut the weather is cold but clear. When you wake up it's freezing, raining, and the winds are nearing typhoon speeds. Then you hike for an hour and finally reach the 3,100 meter hut. Then you hike for another hour constantly going straight up. It must be near 3,500m by now, the 3100m hut is so far down there.

But no. You are only at the 3,250m hut. The summit is 3.776 so you have to endure that 3-4 more times. This was the soul crusher for me. It was at this point I knew I wouldn't make it to the summit in time.

Then you hike for another hour and get to the pseudo-summit. Once you top that you see you have at least two more hours to go, but it's already 6am and the bus leaves at 9am and it takes 2-3 hours to descend. So you decide you aren't quitting, but can't reach the top in time. They say the descent is worse than the climb up. How can that be?

Because you are constantly walking down hill in the never ending zig zag motion. You pass a sign that says 5km to the 5th station. Then an hour later, you see another sign coming up. It must say 3km or less, but no it says 4.5 km to go. Your crushed soul is stepped on again. But you keep going.

Why is it so hard to walk downhill? Well first because you are already dead from walking uphill for 8 hours. Then because you have to walk downhill for 3+ hours. Finally, and most importantly, because the trail is loose gravel.

Finally you reach the 5th station which is already about half way up the mountain. Some die hard people climb from the absolute base, but that would be impossible for me. The fifth station is about where civilization starts and stops as far as climbing goes.

Then you look back at the mountain and realize she's much meaner than you thought.

Never underestimate Mt Fuji.