Katayama Rescued Alive in Mt. Fuji Climbing Attempt

Climbing mountains in Japan can become dangerous, as former F1 driver Ukyo Katayama found that out for himself in recent days. As reported by the Yomiuri newspaper on Friday, the 46-year old former Grand Prix driver was rescued alive “after going missing whilst climbing Mt Fuji in his native Japan.”

According to the GMM news agency, citing the aforementioned source, Katayama “called Shizuoka prefecture police after one of his companions died and the other was "in danger" in high winds and freezing temperatures.”

It's worth mentioning that Katayama, despite his past in motor racing, is also a professional mountaineer.

Following his 95-starts Formula One career in the mid '90s, Katayama started taking several other racing challenger, including Le Mans 24 Hours race, Dakar Rally and, most recently, Speedcar Racing.

As far as his mountain climbing career goes, the Japanese racer climbed the world's sixth-highest mountain, Cho Oyu, during the course of 2001. Three years later, he attempted climbing the Manaslu mountain, but failed in the process. However, he didn't let go of his ambition and eventually captured that mountain in late 2006.

In his spare time from mountain climbing and racing in several series worldwide, Katayama is also a commentator for Japanese broadcaster Japan Fuji TV, obviously for Formula One racing.