A recent earthquake near Japan's Mount Fuji sparked concerns about a possible eruption of the volcano, dormant since 1707. The event reminded retired Indian Army Lieutenant General Pradeep Bali of his own ascent of the iconic peak in 2004.
Mount Fuji: A Sacred and Majestic Peak
Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain at nearly 4,000 meters, is a conical, snow-clad volcano visible from Tokyo, 130 kilometers away. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts trekkers and pilgrims during the July-August climbing season. In the Shinto religion, it is revered as a powerful Kami, or sacred force of nature.
A Diplomat's Adventure
While serving as a military diplomat at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, Bali decided to trek the mountain as a gesture of growing India-Japan friendship. His companions included his 14-year-old daughter and several Indian friends living in Tokyo. On August 15, after Independence Day flag-hoisting at the embassy, they drove to the Yoshida route starting point.
The climb began late at night with high spirits, but enthusiasm waned as the trail steepened. A cyclone brewing in the Pacific off eastern Japan brought rain and dropping temperatures. Like the Pandavas' final journey in the Himalayas, group members gradually dropped out at rest huts along the way.
The Final Stretch: A Daughter's Determination
By the Ninth Station, only Bali and his daughter remained, trudging through black volcanic ash. Rain intensified, soaking their clothes and numbing their hands. Exhausted, Bali decided to turn back. But as he told his daughter, she gripped his forearm and said firmly, “No, papa. We are very close to the top now and cannot turn back.” Embarrassed by his lack of resolve, Bali resumed climbing. At daybreak, they reached the summit. The rain stopped, and the rising sun peeked through parting clouds. They circled the crater rim before descending, picking up their companions along the way.
Reflections on Perseverance
Back in Tokyo, Bali proudly recounted his ascent, but he knew in his heart that it was his daughter's firm resolve that made it possible. “I felt embarrassed at my lack of resolve,” he recalled. The experience underscored the power of determination, even in the face of nature's fury.
