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.