Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- airlift / ˈɛərˌlɪft / (v.) – to move people or supplies by aircraft to or from a place that is difficult to reach because of certain situations, like floods, wars, etc.
Example:Several people were airlifted from the flooded town to hospitals.
- uproar / ˈʌpˌrɔr / (n.) – a strong reaction from many people, often with anger, noise, or complaints
Example:There was a big uproar when grocery stores said they would raise prices for basic foods like rice, bread, milk, and eggs.
- designate / ˈdɛz ɪgˌneɪt / (v.) – to officially choose or name a place or thing for a specific purpose or title
Example:The castle was designated as a historical site because of its rich history and importance.
- pilgrimage / ˈpɪl grə mɪdʒ / (n.) – a journey or visit to a special place, often religious or spiritual, where people go to show respect
Example:He went on a pilgrimage to a famous temple in India.
- entrant / ˈɛn trənt / (n.) – a person who enters something
Example:Each entrant must sign the safety agreement before climbing the mountain.
Article
Read the text below.
A climber airlifted with altitude sickness from near the peak of Japan’s Mount Fuji returned to the slope and was rescued for a second time just four days later, authorities said.
Officials urged people to be aware of the harsh conditions at the country’s tallest peak during its off-season.
The climber was identified only as a 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan. He made an emergency call on April 22 and was airlifted after developing symptoms of altitude sickness, police said, adding that his climbing irons were also damaged.
On April 26, he returned to the mountain’s Fujinomiya trail about 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet) above sea level to look for his cell phone and other belongings left behind, Shizuoka prefectural police said. Another climber found him there, unable to move after he apparently developed altitude sickness for a second time, police said.
The mountain’s hiking trails are officially open only from July to early September, but there is no penalty for hiking off-season. There is also no charge or penalty when a climber needs to be rescued, but the Chinese student’s case prompted an uproar on social media and generated calls for him to be charged, at least for his second rescue.
The Shizuoka police urged all climbers to use caution, noting that the mountain has low temperatures and is covered in snow even in spring.
The 3,776-meter-high (12,388-foot-high) mountain was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013. A symbol of Japan, the mountain called “Fujisan” used to be a place of pilgrimage and is increasingly popular among hikers today.
To control overcrowding and risks from rushed overnight climbing through rocky slopes to see the sunrise, local authorities last year introduced an entry fee and a cap on the number of entrants on the most popular trail and will introduce similar rules on other main trails this year.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- There is no charge or penalty when a climber needs to be rescued on Mt. Fuji. Do you think climbers should pay a fine if they are rescued more than once? Why or why not? What would be a fair way to handle these situations? Discuss.
- If climbers had to pay to be rescued, do you think fewer people would try to climb Mt. Fuji? Why or why not? What might be the advantages and disadvantages of that? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Climbing Mt. Fuji can be dangerous, especially in the off-season. If you were to climb it, what would you do to ensure your safety? What are the most important safety items to bring when climbing a mountain like Mt. Fuji? Discuss.
- Do you think the emergency services in your country are good enough to help climbers in danger? Why do you say so? Discuss.
