Jouji Habu

A mountaineer with a natural talent for rock wall climbing who has conquered many difficult spots in Japan, including Mount Tanigawa's Ichinokurasawa demon slab. However, because of his lack of recognition he was unable to travel abroad due of financial difficulties. He is uncooperative and very passionate and stubborn about mountain climbing, so his climbing partners wouldn't last long with him. After losing his partner and mountaneering junior Buntarou Kishi in an accident, he began to prefer solo climbing.

In 1979, he slipped and was injured while attempting to climb the Grand Jorasses alone in winter, but survived owing to his tremendous mental and physical strength. In 1984, he participated in the Everest winter expedition. Dissatisfied with the climb, he descended the mountain and disappeared.

After that he began living in Nepal illegally and started working as a Sherpa with help from Ang Tsering. He planned to climb Everest solo and without oxygen in the winter and his work as a Sherpa helped to familiarise him with the terrain. On one of his climbs he discovered George Mallory's body and his camera, which led to his encounter with Fukamachi.

He is inspired by Masaru Morita.

(Source: Wikipedia)