On Mount Fuji in the middle of the night - what happens if there's no going back
- Juna Franka
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Two years ago I was on a hike to the top of Mount Fuji in Japan. 12,390', an extreme challenge for me. On top of it all it was raining and so windy I had to duck behind some planks and wait for the wind to die down before I could round the corner.
Around 6 pm I arrived - a little too late - at my place for the night. I laughed at the buckets with the words "no trash - for puking". I was fine. What happened to the guy who arrived shortly after me, collapsing on his bed and struggling to breathe for half an hour before falling asleep - even though he had an oxygen bottle?
I was able to fall asleep peacefully, but then everything changed.
At 10 pm I woke up feeling horribly sick. My head was pounding and my stomach turning. I just wanted to get away from here. Feverishly, I was looking for a way to get out of the situation but there was no turning back. It was only upwards from here.
Panic was rising within. Intuitively, I went downstairs and sat in front of the front door of the little hut. There was another hiker already there and we nodded at each other weakly. Sitting up right and getting a little more oxygen into my lungs was helping a bit and I wasn't alone anymore. Still, I didn't know what to do next. I couldn't stay like this the whole night.
I prayed, "Jesus, help me. I can't do it." It was my only chance. I couldn't go back down, nor up, had no medication and couldn't sleep either. I was completely done.
A little while later I finally needed the bucket and I was so relieved! Finally, I could sleep.
Just a few hours later, at 2 in the morning, the alarm went off and I was the happiest person alive! I'll never forget that moment. My nausea was gone, I had new energy and could continue to the top.
The way up (and later a long, slippery way down) were extremely challenging. With every step I told myself: PACE YOURSELF, so I wouldn't exhaust myself.
The many elderly hikers who were struggling upwards in groups to see the sunrise over Mount Fuji once in their lives impressed me.
As the sun broke through the clouds, the crowd cheered. What a fascinating moment.
My painting "Pace Yourself" reminds you of exactly that:
that you are capable of so much more than you think
that you'll receive new energy when ask for it and take a break
that you're not alone on your journey
that there's more than one way to the top
that the beautiful view will be worth it
that the sun will rise again
that the path will show itself when we take the next step
and most importantly: that you have to pace yourself in hard times so you don't collapse
Pace yourself!
There are two more paintings of the series INTO THE LIGHT I haven't introduced to you yet. They are about breakthroughs and hope and focus on light.
Thank you for reading and see you next time!
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I'm going to share detail pictures and fragments until it's time to reveal the whole series in July. I hope you'll stay tuned.
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