Military News - Military Times

Sailors scale Fuji 4 times for charity

Three sailors and a civilian contractor successfully climbed Japan’s Mount Fuji four times in less than 24 hours — a goal many thought was either crazy or impossible.

Not only did they beat their goal by two hours, climbing nearly 40,000 feet in just 22 hours, but they also exceeded their donation goal, collecting $10,910 to be split evenly between the Shunkou Gakuen Orphanage in Yokosuka, Japan, and the South Carolina Guardian Ad Litem organization, which benefits abused, neglected and at-risk children.

“The climb went great, though it is pretty tough to walk today,” wrote Lt. Doug Szwarc of Submarine Group 7 in an e-mail to Navy Times. “Luckily, this year we had some really good climbers in the group, which made the climb achievable. Knowing there were so many people all over the world, and even on Mt. Fuji that day, rooting us on, really raised our spirits and gave us that extra energy we really needed to get to the top.”

In addition to Szwarc, Lt. Justin Hoff, also of Submarine Group 7, Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Michael Raney, of Fleet Public Affairs Center; and civilian contractor Luke Nelson climbed the mountain four times in 21 hours, 59 minutes, and 15 seconds. The group started the climb at 5:45 a.m. Monday and finished at 3:44 a.m. Tuesday. Another climber, Lt.. Rob Lovern, also of Submarine Group 7, made it up the mountain three times before an injury prevented him from finishing, Szwarc said.

“We actually ran the last 100 yards so we could make sure our time was under 22 hours,” Szwarc wrote. “The last 20 minutes of the final climb were really difficult as well. Justin and I were almost laughing about how much pain we had in our legs.”

Szwarc said the group plans to give a check to the Guardian Ad Litem organization at their request and is putting together a hidden link on their effort’s Web site for those who donated to vote on what presents should be purchased for the orphanage and the 87 children who live there. Items being considered are bicycles, DVDs and video cameras, among others, he said.

Last year, Szwarc and another sailor climbed the mountain three times in less than 24 hours on a dare and raised $4,500 for charity.