• A Chinese student was rescued twice from Mount Fuji in four days.
• The rescues were sparked by his return to retrieve a lost mobile phone.
• Officials warn against climbing during the off-season due to dangerous conditions.

A 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan climbed Mount Fuji twice outside of the official summer hiking season, resulting in two rescues from the mountain within four days. The first rescue took place on April 22 after he reported symptoms of altitude sickness near the summit and was unable to descend due to the loss of his crampons, essential equipment for safe climbing. He was airlifted from the Fujinomiya trail, located at nearly 10,000 feet (about 3,000 meters) above sea level, according to BBC and South China Morning Post.

Just four days later, the same student returned to the mountain in search of his phone and other belongings left behind during the first rescue. Emergency services reported that another climber found him unable to move due to altitude sickness, prompting a second rescue operation. The mountain's conditions were harsh, with temperatures at the summit plunging to minus seven degrees Celsius, and the wind chill effect making it feel even colder, according to HuffPost and CBS News.

The rescues have ignited online backlash, with users criticizing the man's disregard for safety guidelines and expressing that he should bear the cost of the rescue operations. The Shizuoka police have reiterated warnings against climbing Mount Fuji outside of its designated season, which runs from July to early September, emphasizing the potential dangers and the inaccessibility of medical facilities during this period. Officials noted that "the weather could suddenly change" in the off-season, complicating rescue efforts, according to BBC and South China Morning Post.

Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and a symbol of Japan, is increasingly frequented by hikers, with over 220,000 climbers in 2023 alone. Local authorities introduced entrance fees and caps to manage overcrowding and ensure safety. The student’s actions underline the ongoing challenges of balancing tourism and safety on this iconic peak, as experts continue to discuss capacity limits for visitors, as noted by CBS News and HuffPost.