Nobukazu Kuriki
President of Tao Inc. (Solo alpinist) living in Sapporo
- Main achievements
• Climbing
2008 Present - Planning toward a non-oxygen ascent of Mt. Everest
December 2007 - Successful ascent of Vinson Massif, highest mountain in Antarctica
May 2007 - Solo non-oxygen ascent of Cho Oyu, 6th highest mountain in the world
oReal time internet stream with Japan Television
oUHB special broadcast program
October 2006 - Successful ascent of highest mountain in Oceania, Carstensz Pyramid
October 2005 - Successful ascent of highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro
June 2005 - Successful ascent of highest mountain in Europe, Mt. Elbrus
December 2004 - Successful ascent of highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua.
June 2004 - Successful ascent of highest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley.
•Lectures
•Adventure camps for children
•Writing columns
Kuriki, now 25, began climbing his first year in college.
He claims to have far less experience than world famous climbers, but has already conquered 6 out of the 7 continents' highest peaks, leaving only Mt. Everest to ascend. Kuriki's style is unique. Without assembling a team, he ascends a mountain alone and with no oxygen. He films the entire endeavor and sells his footage to television stations. A solo ascent with camera equipment is very difficult. Kuriki must carry all of his climbing equipment plus his camera at all times.
To film himself passing a certain point, he sometimes sets up his camera, climbs down, and climbs back up to get the shot. He sells rights to his footage as a content creator.
- On becoming a content creator
In climbing, the end result is normally most important, but Kuriki says he enjoys the process the most.
As a solo climber, he was unable to share neither the joy of the process nor the final achievement.
When he ascended Mt. McKinley in 2003, a friend lent him a camera. He shot and edited his ascent, and received very positive feedback. Before he knew it, he owned his own camera and found himself constantly thinking about different angles.
Videos shot in such hazardous conditions are naturally very valuable. TV stations started approaching Kuriki to purchase the rights to air his footage.
Kuriki jumped at the opportunity and began selling his footage as content. Even a normal ascent is extremely challenging. Kuriki takes on twice the strain with his equipment.
It's a brutal process.
Yet, it is hard to perceive that from Kuriki's demeanor.
"I don't want people to doubt that I really made an ascent."
Said Kuriki, during a genuine moment.
When he climbs Mt. Everest, his dream is to broadcast live via satellite transmission.
Kuriki deep in thought
Kuriki considers the possibility of climbing footage as content
－The fright of risking one's life
Kuriki says he never looked at a mountain and felt fear toward it. His imagination is what harbors most fear, usually about a week before his ascent. "Once I start climbing, I speak to the mountain, I'm in its hands." His calm demeanor demonstrated true bravery.
Kuriki on the peak of Mt. McKinley
Nobukazu Kuriki WEB Site
http://kurikiyama.jp/
