Mount Fuji in March

I'll be in Japan next month, and I'm looking to get up Fuji. Hoping someone here has done it in the 'off-season,' and could help me understand what to expect in terms of conditions, equipment, and other people, etc. Thanks!

Ive climbed and skied fuji in almost every month with snow and in almost every conceivable condition. Shoot me a PM with any questions or post up here.

BL: it's awesome, probably just you and the mountain, but obviously VERY specific condition dependent. You'll need a car or have to pay about $100 USD for a taxi to access from Gotemba train station. Might be able to hitch hike back to Gotemba, but getting up needs a taxi. 

Cheers,

Dave

239-two-three-three-2oo2 

How are you getting into Japan nowadays Carter? It is quite the set of entry restrictions they have...

Conditions: I hiked/climbed and skiied Fuji in April, and felt it was comparable conditions to Mt Washington (I see you're from NH) in mid-winter conditions. It is similarly windy, though the wind exposure lasts for longer since its a bigger mountain. Temps similar to Mt Washington as well. I went up the Yoshida trail for the uphill, and if I remember right its on a ridgeline nad doesn't have much exposed avy risk on the uphill (please verify on you're own), mostly just icy and wind-blown snow. 

Equipment: For the uphill i'd recommend technical crampons and poles if you're confident in high wind situations. I brought an axe but never pulled it out. It was never more than steep hiking. Some navigation for whiteout conditions. Other than that your standard kit. 

Other people: Even in April the mountain was still very quiet, I think it was the first week of the year the bus was going partly upway, and maybe 10-15 people on the whole mountain, and I was the only skier I saw.