Original subtitles

Towering the Himalayas,

its vertex is sacred and inviolable.

The highest peak in the world.

8848 meters above sea level.

But also the closest place to the gods.

June 8, 1924

8740 meters above sea level

Two British were standing:

(George Mallory)

George Mallory

(Andrew Irvine) and Andrew Irvine.

Seeing the peak close at hand.

But at 12:50 on the same day

both disappeared without a trace.

The first time Mount Everest was conquered

was on May 29, 1953.

The climbers were Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa Norgay.

But when were Mallory and Irvine killed?

It still hasn't been ruled out that it wasn't after successfully reaching the summit.

After all, Mallory and Owen may have topped it.

Everest - The Summit of the Gods

Nepal, 1993

Funajima!

Funajima!

We can't go back now.

I need to take at least the amount of pictures required for a collection.

Thank you.

The collection won't be published.

- How can you... - We're going to the airport.

No problem.

The luggage is already gone.

Mr. Kudo.

Mr. Kudo!

Can't we discuss it?

Fukamachi, please, think of my situation.

In order to participate in this expedition

I had to borrow money everywhere

just to come up with a photo collection.

Have you thought about the two dead people?!

In the event of an accident you keep pressing the shutter.

That's my job.

Please consider the feelings of the victims' families.

Mr. Kudo.

Mr. Kudo!

You have been an expedition partner. You should understand.

Mr. Kudo...

Hashish?

I don't need it.

- Hashish? Good quality. - No.

Do you want to change some money? Please change some money.

I'll give you the high rate. Please.

Please change some money. I'll give you a very high rate.

Please change some money. Please.

Please.

(The closest mountain to the sky)

(Vest Pocket Kodak Model B)

Namaste.

Namaste.

Your camera, how much does it cost?

Two hundred dollars.

The lens is cracked.

That's why two hundred dollars.

Otherwise it would be more than five hundred dollars.

Too expensive.

One hundred and eighty?

One hundred and fifty!

Vest Pocket Kodak Model B.

In 1924 Mallory took the camera up the mountain.

Is it really the same?

That's right.

Fukamachi, do you think Mallory was killed

after topping the Everest?

I don't know.

If he climbed to the top successfully

there should be a commemorative photo.

If you find the negatives

the history of Mount Everest will be subverted.

This would be world-class news!

Provided that the camera is Mallory's.

Not impossible.

You have no reason not to buy it.

Thank you.

One hundred and fifty dollars.

Tell me...

how did you got this camera?

I'm sorry, I can not tell you.

If I tell you more much, I will be lose my business.

Tell me.

I am willing to pay.

I think I miscalculated.

Miscalculated?

I should't have sold it to you for one hundred and fifty.

It seems this camera

is more valuable than I imagined.

Is this the store that sells stolen goods?

I don't understand what you're talking about.

"Poisonous Snake"?

He told me everyting.

Are you sure you didn't misunderstand him?

Stealing the Buddha from a Sherpa may have a retribution.

You might be hit in the head by a rock.

Or fall off a cliff.

You are vicious!

Those were stolen goods!

Wait for me for a moment.

Where is the camera?

The camera in your hand, hand it over immediately.

It is ours.

Thank you.

Can I talk to you about the camera?

The camera?

I'm asking about your camera.

Strange...

You...

Aren't you Joji Habu?

You are Joji Habu!

(Gakuyusha Publishing)

Vest Pocket Kodak cameras were overproduced.

Can you prove it was Mallory's?

Then stop bothering me.

It's not only that.

The camera's owner is Joji Habu.

Habu?

I encountered Habu in Nepal.

Was it really Habu?

Hasn't he died in the mountains yet?

Look.

Definitely, it was him.

Joji Habu.

His look is ferocious.

Our next story.

The Himalayan Expedition of the Japanese Mountaineering Association.

The target rises 8091 meters above sea level. The Annapurna.

Haneda Airport, today

Mr. Hase, you are about to travel to the Himalaya.

How do you feel?

I am very excited right now.

I will work hard

to live up to the expectations.

Is this the goal?

For me the Himalayas are unknown.

Me and my teammates hope to work together

while using our own climbing skills.

Are you nervous?

I would lie if I said I'm not.

But just like for my respected predecessors, the feeling of joy is bigger than the tension.

I heard that the fee to participate in the expedition is one million yens.

Disgraceful.

Why can they make the trip

while we are sitting here?

It's a matter of financial resources.

The poor can't go climbing.

Hey, Inoue...

What if we climb the Ghost Rock?

What?

Ghost Rock in winter.

It is suicide.

The poor have to think of ways to become famous.

Ghost Rock in winter is not less than the Himalayas.

I don't want to die.

What do you live for?

If I can't go to the mountains, there's no difference with being dead.

(Tanigawadake, Ichinokura)

(Takizawa third wall)

(Habu and Inoue, first to climb in winter the Ghost Rock)

Tanigawadake is very difficult in the storm.

The conquest of the well-known Ghost Rock

gave us both fame.

Climbing requires more than physical strength.

You also need a sense of balance and rhythm.

Habu had those talents.

No one dared to try following his pace.

He was not only fast, but also neat.

The rhythm of climbing was very smooth.

In other words, he was a genius?

Right.

He was the perfect climber.

But also the worst man.

Unlike our first moment of fame

the expedition that challenged the Annapurna failed.

Mr. Habu.

I heard about the Ghost Rock.

So amazing.

Only two people for that challenge.

I could have done it alone.

My partner could have been anyone.

How terribly those words hurt.

He was completely unconscious.

But I couldn't stand him anymore.

I cut off from him.

I never had a climbing partner so annoying.

But some people still admired him.

Kishi!

Take a safest way.

Stupid.

Hook the rope first.

Don't change the line.

Stupid, not there.

Hey, come back!

Why did you climb that way?

Because it's faster.

I'm not interested in safe ways.

Don't be too arrogant.

If you know someone climbed it in the past

then it's no different from walking the ground.

There is no need for climbing.

Joji Habu also thinks so.

You never hesitate on the rock.

When faced with the decision

you always choose the hardest route.

I was because of you that I started climbing.

What is your name?

My name is Buntaro.

What is it?

You have to step on the rock on the left.

Yes.

You're tied to your partner and he slips, he is left hanging.

His weight is dragging you.

And if it keeps going on, you both will die.

So if I cut the rope, at least I can be rescued?

Right.

I don't cut it.

Then you die together.

If the partner is you, I cut it immediately.

You're an idiot.

What would you do?

I don't know.

Come on, President, say it.

President.

Why do you make it so difficult for me?

Cut it off.

Your partner would be killed.

Still, I'd cut it.

It's not so easy to cut it.

The other one is still alive.

If it's a matter of life or death

I think the President would also cut it.

Hey, you!

Speak to the president with a little more respect.

Stop it, don't jump.

I'll give you...

No matter how nice you talk about it.

It's a death sentence not to cut it.

- You bastard... - Enough!

Don't do that.

What if you were the one hanging?

If I knew we both couldn't be rescued

I wouldn't blame my partner for doing it.

He spoke like that

and the word suddenly spread among the mountaineers.

Then that happened.

(North Japanese Alpes)

Are you OK?

I'm sorry.

Is there any way for you to climb up?

No way.

Coming.

Coming.

What happened?

Yes.

That's right.

He fell off the Byobu cliff.

Yes.

It seems that the young man's name

is Buntaro Kishi.

The incident was deemed accidental rupture of the rope

caused by friction against the rock wall.

But the rumour among the mountaineers

was that Habu must have cut off the rope.

He was in charge of Buntaro Kishi.

If I had continued being his partner

I would have also be killed.

After the death of Buntaro Kishi

Habu became better known as the "God of the Ichinokura plague".

Thank you for coming.

Welcome.

I'd like draft beer.

Draft beer.

Habu went to Nepal seven years ago. No one has heard of him ever since.

His passport expired in 1991.

So he is...

an illegal resident.

Your draft beer.

So what?

It makes sense.

Why?

Habu is in Nepal posing as "Poisonous Snake"

to hide that he is an illegal resident.

He can't reveal his identity

so he can't mention Mallory's camera.

Lend me some money.

I want to go to back to Nepal.

What a joke.

Borrowing money before paying off the the first debt.

I told you.

Now it's not the time for Habu or Mallory.

No time for fairytales.

You should hurry back to work to make money.

Gourmet food and catalogs are good.

You're not in a position to choose.

If this matters, you should get it. Your company can make a fortune.

Don't worry about it.

A great opportunity fell from the sky.

I won't see it slip away.

(The legendary mountaineer Mallory) (Mystery of Everest's first summitting)

(Habu's teammates) (Challenging the steep Himalayas)

Hello?

Hello, is this Mr. Fukamachi's house?

Yes.

I heard that you are investigating Joji Habu?

You are Mr. Fukamachi.

Hello, my name is Ryoko Kishi.

Buntaro Kishi's sister.

After my brother's death

I started receiving a fixed amount of money every month.

The sender did not leave a name

but I saw that it was manuscript.

This is how

I started to make contact with Habu.

Did Mr. Habu...

go to Nepal seven years ago?

After he went abroad

he kept writing every month.

Three years ago

he sent me this

with a letter saying

that it would be his last.

I haven't heard back from him.

Mr. Habu is still alive.

I met him in Kathmandu.

Really?

Really.

Well.

He's still alive.

Why would he want this anonymity

stuck in Kathmandu?

Have you already seen Mr. Hase?

Mr. Hase is the yang, and Joji Habu is the yin.

The two opposite sides of mountaineering.

He never had the kind of sponsorship that I had.

He was always staring fiercely at me.

We kept climbing in order to compete with each other.

As soon as I heard that Habu had climbed the Ghost Rock

I immediately went on to conquer the Ghost Rock too.

Then I heard he was going to climb it alone the next time.

Now, in retrospect

he was just like a child with a grudge.

When did the Grandes Jorasses incident happen?

After the Eiger and the Matterhorn

I wanted to conquer the Grandes Jorasses.

Dominate the three northern walls in the Alps.

I didn't expect Habu to climb one step ahead of me.

However at the Grandes Jorasses

Joji Habu fell off a cliff.

(Grandes Jorasses, 1979)

When the rope pulled in the end

his body bounced and he hit the rock wall.

Multiple fractures of the left humerus.

Left femur fractured.

Three broken ribs, in addition to multiple body contusions.

Suspension angle of minus 30 degrees.

For anyone else, it would mean death.

But Joji Habu didn't give up.

He unlocked and fastened the frozen knot with his teeth.

Each time he advanced between five milimeters and one centimeter.

Slowly climbing up the rope.

He was seriously wounded.

But with one hand and one foot

he climbed the 25 meter rock wall.

There's simply no human way of doing it.

Habu miraculously survived.

The world looked at him with admiration.

As for Mr. Hase...

(Achievement accomplished by Wataru Hase; Grandes Jorasses winter climb) He set foot on the top of the Grandes Jorasses and enjoyed the glory.

(A Japanese escapes death miraculously) Joji Habu fell off, and the legend was born.

Eight years ago, at the Everest expedition

it was the first time you were two together in a team.

At the time it created quite a fuss.

The goal was the first winter climb through the southwest wall.

Due to the adverse weather conditions supplies were being consumed and there was a growing delay.

Finally it was decided to give up on the southwest wall.

Divide into two teams to attack an unplanned route.

Going through a route that has been done several times by other people

makes no sense at all!

We have sponsors behind us.

Regardless of whether we take the planned route or not

there's not much difference if we successfully reach the summit.

You climb for your sponsors!

Don't you care about anything? Don't you answer to others?

My trip is to try

the first winter southwest wall climb.

As long as there is a trace of possibility

I don't intend to give up.

As a result, the team split in two.

Habu, following the original plan, challenged the southwest wall.

I led the detachment to take the unplanned route.

At that time Habu was doing absolutely everything.

From carrying equipment to opening the way.

But once the opportunity to attack the top was open

he didn't expect it...

I do most of the work.

Why should I be second?

The first group will just go to a certain extent.

If I put you in the backup group

is to make sure that someone climbs the top.

Not being the first one does not make sense.

I can't stand behind other people.

There is no better arrangement than this.

Habu.

Listen to me.

I can't accept it.

If I have to go second

I'd rather go down.

So Habu went back down the mountain.

I ascended through the unplanned route.

At least someone made it.

It's here.

The expedition was stationed in this cirque.

Climbing it from here

would make me extremely happy.

The southwest wall rout starts from the Yellow Band.

You go around and then you climb it.

Would he like to go directly?

The rock walls here are almost vertical.

And very fragile.

Not a place where you can climb.

But Habu...

Staring at the cliffs ahead.

I got goosebumps.

He had that expression, I'll never forget it.

Mr. Hase,

What do you think he is trying to accomplilsh?

It's the mountain.

No matter where he is,

Joji Habu was born for the mountain.

His life without climbing is meaningless.

He must have a crazy plan

that only he can achieve.

I want to go to Nepal.

I'm going to Kathmandu to find Habu.

Fukamachi.

Joji Habu and Mallory's camera...

There's no bigger news.

It seems that you it's your destiny.

The travel company will arrange everything.

He is said to be a mountain guide.

But Ang Tshering and Habu

didn't sign with any travel agency.

It seems the only way to hire them is in person.

Are there any other clues?

Wel... no.

In short, we have to find him old style.

But we will find him.

Namaste, namaste.

Namaste, namaste.

We're looking for a sherpa named Ang Tshering.

Do you know Ang Tshering?

No, no.

You let us know if you know where he is.

Here.

What?

I'll find him for you.

But you have to give me ten dollars.

Fine.

You promise?

Yes.

I promise you.

- Okay? - Okay.

Today, we'll just look here.

We've come a long way.

It doesn't matter, let's look for him.

We lost our parents when we were very young.

I remember Hobu was also...

Yes, the same thing.

He is like family.

When my brother died

there was a lot of gossip.

But my brother wouldn't hate Habu.

It was an accident.

My brother had a great respect for Habu.

Is your son feeling better?

Much better.

Great.

Hi.

I've been asking the tour guides.

Apparenty Ang Tshering goes quite often

to a mountaineering shop in town.

And Habu?

They've only seen Ang Tshering.

Have you ever heard of a man named "Poisonous Snake"?

And of sherpa Ang Tshering?

I don't know.

Do you know "Poisonous Snake"?

No.

And Ang Tshering?

No.

Thank you.

You are Ang Tshering!

Take me to Bikar San!

Are you Ryoko?

Cherish that stone.

Where is Habu?

Forget him.

Where did the old man go?

Ang Tshering!

He is very important to you.

Habu, I mean.

After I lost my brother

I only had Habu in the world

to take care of me.

That's why Habu is...

the most important person in my heart.

Japanese!

Give me ten dollars.

I found Ang Tshering's house.

Give me ten dollars.

Son!

My wife, Duma.

And my children.

Duma is the daughter of Ang Tshering.

Seven years ago

I challenged the Everest.

But over eight thousand meters

I was blocked by the wind and the snow.

I tried to return to the base camp

but my body couldn't move.

In that moment...

between Duma and Ang Tshering

they took turns carrying me dying down the mountain.

And that's how I was reborn.

I miss you.

But I must go.

Don't do anything that will put you in risk of dying.

Please, promise me.

Don't die.

Winter southwest wall.

Individual.

Anaerobic.

What is Habu planning?

Southwest wall of the Everest in winter.

I knew it!

Individual, anaerobic.

That would be an unprecedent achievement.

I want to follow Habu, photograph everything.

I will go to the base camp to meet him.

Well, to follow Habu...

I'll need money.

You don't have to worry about money.

Goodbye.

Thank you for your help.

I will fly back to Japan today.

I will go to witness Habu's feat.

Please, give him this back for me.

Goodbye.

(Namche Bazhar, 3440 meters above sea level)

(Dingboche, 4300 meters above sea level)

Habu.

Hurry up.

Let me take your picture.

Shoot you like the mountain.

Even if you refuse, I will follow you.

Until I can't keep up.

Please.

Up to you.

You promise?

(Base camp, 5300 meters above sea level) (Temperatures below minus 21 degrees)

The camera you found at the Everest...

At about 8100 meters.

When I first went surveying.

I found the remains of an aged Caucasian man.

Ant the camera beside him.

Was it Mallory?

Yes.

Sure enough.

And the film?

There was no film.

Did Mallory reach the summit?

If you don't live to go down the mountain

reaching the top doesn't matter.

Death is just rubbish.

Mallory was asked why he climbed.

He replied, "Because the mountain is there".

I am different from him.

"Because I'm here".

I'm here, so I climb.

Even if the weight becomes a burden

is it really necessary to do all this?

(First day delay due to the weather) (Temperatures below minus 20 degrees)

I would like to ask you something.

What's that?

Kishi?

Did you cut the rope?

I killed Buntaro Kishi.

(Third day delay due to the Weather) (Temperatures below minus 22 degrees)

The biggest enemy in winter is the strong wind.

It is dangerous to stay up there for a long time.

Four days and three nights.

It can only be done with a fast attack.

Is it possible to do it?

Early departure from the base camp.

Through the ice waterfall, and into the West Cwn for the first night.

The next day through the Bergschrund

and then bivouac under the grey rock ridge.

The third day I climb the rock band

and spend there the last night.

On the morning of the fourth day, I leave the tent in place

and I attack the top.

Eight hours to the summit.

Three hours back to the tent.

That makes four days and three nights.

I've been going over this project to death.

Any stretch or drop

I've learned by heart.

For the past seven years

there hasn't been a day when I didn't think of the southwest wall.

Tomorrow is the day of departure.

Bikar San will go to the mountain of the gods

to ask if the gods love him.

(Seventh day) (Minus 15 degrees)

So none of us cares

about what happens to the other.

Please, promise me this.

Shoot me.

Let me nowhere to run.

(Icefall) (Altitude: 5700 meters)

If I follow his footsteps he won't walk away.

I won't let go of you.

I'll follow you.

(6300 meters above sea level)

(7200 meters above sea level)

Get up.

Listen, I will slip under your body.

You have to pay close attention to me.

Let's go.

Enough.

It's OK.

Habu.

Enough.

Leave me.

Don't argue.

Leave me.

(7300 meters above sea level)

Listen to me.

Sit against the wall and don't move.

If you lean forward you will be hit by a falling rock.

Why did you save me?

I didn't save you.

It was Kishi.

Saving you

makes it even.

Don't give up!

If we die, we die together.

Listen, I will die with you.

Stop.

Kishi!

No!

Stop right now, Kishi!

Kishi!

I said in a critical situation

I wouln't hesitate.

I killed him.

There are falling rocks!

Don't move.

I'm sorry.

I've ruined your four days and three nights plan.

Not at all.

Do you intend to climb all in one go?

There is no way to climb it.

Do you want to die?

I will not die.

Goodbye.

Do you want to escape?

Did you come here to escape?

To go back without pictures?

Shoot me.

Let me nowhere to run.

I'm not going back.

Habu is still fighting.

Habu!

I was just refueling!

No...

Habu!

Habu, get out of there!

Quickly, Habu!

Habu!

Get away, Habu!

Hurry up, Habu!

Hey!

Snow is coming, get out of there!

Fukamachi!

Fukamachi!

Do you think...

Habu has succeeded?

I don't think anyone can conquer that wall.

But I can't imagine Bikar San falling.

He moved his head and look to the top.

The face of someone who dared challenging the mountain.

I think I witnessed a miracle.

Ony Habu would dare climbing it.

He is uniquely skilled.

Even climbing in the middle of the storm.

So what?

A meaningless death.

He agreed

not to do anything that could kill him.

He said he would never die.

But now he's dead...

Didn't you take Habu's last picture?

Don't you want to become famous with this?

I suddenly felt...

...empty.

Then why did you follow him?

I don't know.

It's no joke.

I dreamed of him again yesterday.

Dreamed that he climbed the top.

You are seriously ill.

You must be ill.

Is it open?

Welcome.

I climbed a while ago, right?

And then?

The weather suddenly got worse.

The place is prone to avalanches.

I even climbed up and down the mountain.

- Three jars of draft beer. - Good.

These elite mountaineers are really handsome.

But almost all of them died in the mountains.

They are so often up the mountain than dying one day is not unexpected.

I don't want to die.

They, however, want to die in the mountains.

Besides, if you're afraid to die, then you might as well not climb at all.

Hey, pay attention to the point.

Do we have anything wrong?

Young people shouldn't pretend to understand.

Now, what?

Nothing, just drink.

No, no.

Old man, please, explain it clearly.

Forget I said anything.

But you said something.

Just tell me where I'm wrong, why I'm not right.

Don't talk.

What do you want?

What do you...? Let me go!

Fukamachi, stop!

Fukamachi! Fukamachi, don't fight!

Quickly, let him go.

Let him go.

Fukamachi!

Hey! Fukamachi!

Because I'm here.

I'm here, so I climb.

Habu.

I am also eligible to climb it?

Do you really want to go back?

My brother and Habu...

The most important people in my life died on the mountain.

I really don't understand.

Why go climbing the mountains?

I want to see for myself why.

I'll go with you.

You must return safe.

Why climb?

Why go ahead?

Because I'm here, so I climb.

That's what Habu said.

I am here.

I am here.

When Duma was pregnant

I gave him my wife's necklace.

Then Bikar San asked me

if it could be sent to Japan

to give it to you.

Physical condition?

All good.

Where are you now?

Over 7000 meters.

Too fast, take it a little slower.

I'm fine.

What is it?

The wind changed.

(North East Ridge, 7900 meters)

It's right there.

I will stand on the top.

Good, light body.

I'm going to make it.

The weather has deteriorated.

I'm coming.

One step after the other.

Get down immediatly!

I can do it.

I'm going to attack the summit.

Fukamachi!

Fukamachi!

The situation of Fukamachi is not good.

Can you hear me?

Answer me.

Only a few steps away.

Come back quickly.

If you go on like this, you will die.

I must climb to the top.

Makoto.

You promised me.

You must come back alive.

Makoto.

Makoto.

Come back, I beg you.

Habu, I can too!

Makoto.

Makoto.

I will stand on top of the peak!

Makoto.

Taking one life is enough.

This is wrong.

Why are you so cruel?

The gods are about to make a decision.

Habu.

Shouldn't I be here?

The gods are good.

Oh my god.

Save me.

(8050 meters above sea level)

Enough.

I can't make it.

Fukamachi.

Fukamachi.

Fukamachi.

Is that it?

Is that it?

Not yet?

So die and then rest.

Don't rest.

Still alive. Don't rest.

I will not allow you to stop.

Live.

Go back.

Death...

...is rubbish.

If the feet don't respond

walk with the hands.

If the hands don't move

keep going with the fingers.

If the fingers don't work

use your teeth

biting snow and ice forward.

If not even the teeth react

advance with your eyes.

Stare a way forward.

If even the eyes are useless

and there's really nothing you can do,

imagine.

Imagine with all your might.

Imagine.

(Peak altitude: 8848 meters)

I finally set foot on the top of the Everest.

Nonetheless

it seems that in that moment

I angered the mountains gods.

So then...

you ...

The summit...

Yes.

I reached the summit.

What you're looking for

is right here.

He is George Mallory.

The film is inside the bag.

I don't care about that.

That's not true.

Why did you come here?

What is the purpose of your ascension?

I don't know.

You don't know?

So

you don't know.

Habu.

Let's go back together.

I'll take you back.

I swear.

I'll take you back.

I won't rest, like you.

If I stopped

just push me down.

Kill me.

Eat my flesh.

I will not die.

I'm going to make it back alive.

Habu.

Habu.

Come with me.

Let's go back together.

Let's go back together!

Let's go back together!

Come on, come with me!

For better or worse...

...come with me.

Ryoko.

Where is he?

Where?

If the feet don't respond

walk with the hands.

If the hands don't move

keep going with the fingers.

If the fingers don't work

use your teeth

biting the snow forward.

If not even the teeth react

advance with your eyes.

Stare a way forward.

Makoto!

If even the eyes are useless

and there's really nothing you can do,

imagine.

Imagine with all your might.

Imagine.

Imagine.

Imagine.

Habu.

I will survive.

I will keep on living.

Subtitles by eltiomolonio.