Differences in Influencing Factors for Fall Risks During Descent on Mount Fuji: A Comparison of the Fujinomiya and...

Area of Science:

• Mountaineering Safety
• Biomechanics of Falls
• Environmental Risk Assessment

Background:

• Mount Fuji has four distinct routes, with limited research on descent-related fall factors.
• Previous studies have not compared fall risks across different Mount Fuji routes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare fall rates and influencing factors during the descent of Mount Fuji's Fujinomiya and Yoshida routes.
• To identify route-specific risk factors for falls during mountain descents.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey of 463 participants descending the Fujinomiya route.
• Comparison with data from 551 participants from a previous study on the Yoshida route.
• Collected data included demographics, climbing experience, gear, trail awareness, and fatigue.

Main Results:

• The Fujinomiya route had a higher fall rate (59%) compared to the Yoshida route (42%).
• Route-specific factors like trekking pole use, shoe type, and fatigue influenced fall risk differently on each route.
• On Fujinomiya, inadequate footwear increased fall risk, while on Yoshida, trekking poles and lower fatigue reduced it.

Conclusions:

• Fall risk and contributing factors vary significantly between the Fujinomiya and Yoshida routes.
• Route-specific safety recommendations are needed for climbers on Mount Fuji.