Climbing Mt. Fuji

You might not think of mild-mannered Elsie (Barks) Naylor as a world champion mountain climber, but she is!

Elsie at her home in Bradenton, Florida.

In the years before her marriage, Elsie summitted Ft. Fuji, and she's got the stick to prove it! During World War II, Elsie served in the Red Cross in England, France, Japan and Korea. Fuji was pleasant diversion for her and a few friends.

Even modern-day climbers are advised "Many tourists buy walking stick or bring up a block of wood to collect brands at each of the stops...".

Note the imprint "Climbed Top" at right.

Elsie says it took most of one day and part of the next. Overnight, they slept in a primitive huts, with other hikers, men and women mixed together. "I completely wore out a pair of shoes on the climb."

FOR FURTHER READING
See the Japan-Guide for pics of the rocky terrain that was so steep on the way down, there was no way to avoid sliding down bit by bit.

WikiPedia explains Mt Fuji is 12,388 feet high.
This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.