Disabled climber makes slow progress

AN American mountaineer who lost the use of his legs in a car accident seven years ago resumed his slow but steady ascent of Mount Fuji yesterday after his attempt to climb Japan's highest mountain nearly ended on its first day.

Keegan Reilly began pulling himself up the slopes of the 12,385-foot peak early on Monday using a custom-made device resembling a low-slung mountain bike.

The 22-year-old soon ran into problems a safety ranger on the trail stopped him and the eight members of his support team.

"He sort of freaked out when he saw us," Reilly said by mobile phone from the mountain. "He had never seen an arm bike before and he really didn't know what to do. He didn't want to let us pass. I really thought we were going to have to go back down."

After an eight-hour delay, however, Reilly and his supporters persuaded the ranger to relent.

"It kind of shows exactly what we are trying to raise awareness about," Reilly said. "We wanted to climb in a country outside of the United States to show people more about what extreme climbing for disabled people is."

Despite the delay, Reilly said the climb is going far better than expected.

"It's easier than I expected," he said. "The paths are wide, but there's lots of loose gravel. My tires have been spinning out a lot."

After an eight-hour climb yesterday, Reilly had reached 9,400 feet.

"We're making amazing progress," said John Nelson, Reilly's uncle and a member of the climbing team.

Weather and strength permitting, Reilly said he hopes to reach the summit today, roughly two days earlier than expected.

The climb, up generally gentle slopes, normally takes six or seven hours.

Reilly turns a crank to propel his arm-powered, "Scarab" climbing apparatus, which is made of titanium tubing.