Man Rescued While Climbing Mt. Fuji. He Was Rescued Again Days Later After Returning to Find Lost Phone

Just four days after being airlifted from Mount Fuji, a college student was rescued from Japan's highest mountain for a second time as he attempted to find his lost phone.

The climber, a 27-year-old Chinese national attending university in Japan, was rescued by helicopter last week. Days later, he attempted to return to the site of his first rescue to retrieve belongings he had left behind—including his phone, The Guardian reported.

Another climber found him on Saturday more than 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) up the mountain.

"He was suspected of having altitude sickness and was taken to hospital," police stated on Monday.

Mount Fuji's steep slopes are blanketed in snow most of the year, open to a limited number of hikers from July to September. Authorities discourage off-season climbs, which can quickly turn life-threatening, even for experienced climbers.

The twice-rescued hiker is fortunate to have left the mountain with his life, even if it meant leaving his phone behind. It's unclear whether his phone was recovered.