This summer I'm planning on hiking these three mountains, and while I've got the Lonely Planet Hiking in Japan, I'd like some personal impressions of people who have

a) climbed any of the 3 peaks and their experiences, particularly of Haku-san and Tateyama
b) impressions of the accuracy of LP's guide and the degree to which it diverges from reality (IE can I really climb Hakusan in two days in the time suggested, assuming a decent level of fitness for a city girl
c) has anyone hiked Mount Fuji from the base, and would you recommend it, or is it more strength-preserving to start from the 5th station?

Last summer I did several hikes out of LP's Hiking, and found that sometimes they pushed the envelope; one hike I barely pulled off and found myself limping home (27km Tanzawa Traverse), and another, Kumotori-san, I had locals telling me there was no way I could make the end of the second day; I took a side trail.

I'm not always certain if I should trust locals, given my female status, I think they assume that I can't make it so far, and most of them are surprised to see a solo female. I also have a tendency of getting adopted by ojiisan along the trail, whether I like it or not.

I'm thinking of doing Hakusan around the 19th of July, Fuji at the end of July, and Tateyama sometime after the 10th of August. Any advice regarding this timing or any other details would be greatly appreciated. For Hakusan and Tateyama, is there a possibility of snow, even in July and August?

Both Hakusan and Tateyama have places called Murodo. At either location, what kind of supplies, if any, can be found there? LP is vague on what can be found their, accomodation aside.

Thank you!

Three mountain resorts are easy from July 1st thru August end where you can see many families enjyoying seightseeing. We can see city casual people at Murodo stn of Tateyama from April 11. Fuji is OK in June, but you may see difficulty on access before June end. Climbing Fuji taking 6-7 hours from 5 stn may be tough for city people, but you can get short rest (with charge!) at mountain huts open of each station in summer season. Hakusan may be tough untill mid-June cos of much snow remaining this year.

In general, August is easy, but crowded and have many money collectors.

Three resorts close in winter season tightly. No trasportation, no accomodation and no residentials.

Fuji Accomodation Open: July 1st to August end
http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/tozan/2001/
http://www.fujigoko.co.jp/Recreation/yamagoya/

Tateyama Accomodation Open: Apri 11 to Nov end
http://www.alpen-route.com/

Hakusan Accomodation Open: July 1st to October 15th
http://www2.nsknet.or.jp/~jogoshi/

Toby

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Toby,