Am I an idiot?

Hi all,

I am 28, M who is planning a solo travel across Japan starting from 27th September. I am interested in hiking Mount Fuji and I got my reservation with Fuji Mountain Guides (https://www.fujimountainguides.com/) for the hike starting 02nd October, 2024. I was aware that it's off-season hiking but I never knew what it really meant! I am fit both physically and mentally but I never how peril or dangerous it could be to hike in off-season. I was speaking with couple of native Japanese people on Reddit and they advised me to avoid going on this hike.

Can you please provide a recommendation? I am confused. Please provide me with a clear answer.

Thank you.

Well, this seems to be perilous. To put this in perspective, last year around the day you plan to hike first snow did fall on Mt Fuji. And last year was (as this year) a hot year.
Are you prepared for that?

Are you an experienced climber? If you go bring appropriate clothing it will be very cold at higher altitude even though temperatures in October are expected to be 30 C. I also don’t think hiking alone is a good idea in any scenario.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BjJl6deBsuk&pp=ygUaYWJyb2FkIGluIGphcGFuI...

Id not hike unless you are experienced with support. Locals get annoyed when foreigners break rules and then the have to go up the mountain when it's off season and they are injured.

I've not hikes fuji before due to the exertion needed

To everyone’s response,

I am going with professional guides to the top. The name of the guides service is Fuji Mountain Guides.

I am not traveling by myself.

Short answer - yes. You are an idiot, even with professional guides.
Even during the regular climbing season this year the officials were surprised at the number of deathes in the few weeks after the season started.

Hi Rudo33,

Well, I looked into the link you were so nice to provide us in your first post, and in "MT. FUJI" - "Climbing Mt Fuji" it clearly mentions "Do not believe the blogs that say Mt. Fuji is an easy climb" and tells you what one would call enough preparation, especially in sections like "Difficulty Level" and onward.

The service indeed seems like a reliable one that not only provides professional guides but straightforwardly gives you all the warnings in English language so that NO IDIOT can miss out.