Climber's High (クライマーズ・ハイ)

'Bosa Terrace'?

Where?

Just below Cave Overhang. Above Overhang 3.

Above and to the left of Crescent.

The Cloud-top Route...

The first path up The Partition. The cleverest route in Japan.

You've been up?

11 years ago.

I slipped at Overhang 3.

'Rock!' I called down to him where he had the rope.

'Rock!'

And?

Direct hit. Killed him.

The last guy you'd expect.

He'd climbed Everest.

Wow.

It's below zero up there, only a third as much oxygen.

But he didn't take a picture, or plant a flag.

He just stared up into the sky.

Sometimes in the dead of winter cranes fly over Mt Everest.

At the world's highest point...

...he was watching for cranes even higher...

...than him.

I killed a great climber.

Why are you telling me this?

I've decided.

What?

We're climbing The Partition.

Not me!

Early Summer, 1985

Hey! Time to go.

Just a little bit longer!

It's time to go. We'll come back.

Come on, Jun. You've got a plane to catch.

The climb starts on the platform at Doai Station.

What?

No way!

486 steps to ground level.

I can't come next month.

Then the month after.

Mom's going to Switzerland.

Switzerland?

For an interpreter's job.

Mr Yuuki?

I'm the escort.

Aren't you a brave boy, taking a jumbo all alone!

Shall we go?

Thank you.

Just a minute...

I found this today.

For me?

Keep it and think of me.

Summer 2007 Doai Station, Gunma Prefecture

Three eighty...

Three eighty...

...four.

I've decided to try Everest next spring.

Yeah? Wow.

I wanted to go up The Partition with you first.

You and Dad were going to do it that summer.

Don't forget how old I am.

I'm 33. What does that make you?

Don't ask!

The North Kanto News

August 12th, 1985

Well?

He hasn't said yet.

But he's always wanted to visit Yasukuni.

Yuuki!

Downstairs!

You've got friends in Circulation?

He climbs.

Who?

Anzai.

Oh, him...

Maebashi, Gunma

We leave at 7:40 tonight.

We'll stay at the Guide Center, then head for The Partition first thing.

There's no backing out now.

Why me?

It happens to guys like you.

What?

You stop looking around, and start climbing faster.

You feel a kind of excitement that numbs all fear.

Not me.

You get an adrenalin rush. It's called 'climber's high'.

I like turning people onto that.

Climber's what?

'Climber's high'.

Anzai...

Call me when I page you.

It's...

...busted.

Bullshit.

Get that thing cleaned up so she backs off.

What was Boss Ito talking about?

Nothing. It's stupid. I'll be at the station.

And if not?

I'll get to the Guide Center tonight, whatever happens.

You're going climbing?

Showing him the ropes.

What about the rest of the Climbing Club?

Sorry!

What?

Why do you climb mountains, anyway?

The whole story?

Not now.

To come down.

What?

I go up to come down.

Show me what an old guy can do.

Let's close up, Sis. He'll go away.

Leave me alone!

Hey, Sis!

Allow me.

I don't need your help!

I'll try and get the company to add another million yen.

It's not the money, I said!

Then what?

Sorry.

What is it really about?

Go away!

Please.

Please!

Stop that, will you!

Please!

Please!

Please!

Get in, damn it!

Excuse me.

You're the head police reporter...

'Sayama'.

Excuse me.

Wait...

Why Yuuki?

Sir?

He won't take a desk job. Why do you tag after him?

He's a born reporter.

'A born reporter'!

So... why Yuuki?

Doesn't every small-town paper need one loose cannon?

Excuse me.

'Night.

Mah jong?

That would be cooler.

Today's high: 31.9 degrees!

The 15th? All right.

On the 15th the Prime Minister will visit...

...Yasukuni Shrine!

Is Regional doing Politics now?

We're flexible.

Newsroom...

Mr Sayama! Your office is calling.

I said I'd be right back.

I just overheard the Jiji Press guy...

It's all yours.

OK. Page me.

The Partition? Don't fall.

The Partition?

Break your neck.

Gee, thanks.

Yuu-san...

What's up?

Kawashima called.

And?

A jumbo's missing.

A jet?

Nothing on the wire yet.

We've just been handed this bulletin.

A Japan Airlines jumbo jet has vanished from radar.

This is breaking news.

Look!

JAL Flight 123 from Tokyo to Osaka has vanished from radar.

The flight left Haneda Airport at 6 p.m., and was to reach Osaka at 7.

A bulletin from Kyodo News.

A Japan Airlines jumbo jet has vanished from radar...

...north of Yokota Air Base...

...around the border between Gunma and Nagano Prefectures.

Page everyone. Call Haneda.

Why here?

Who cares!

Call Japan Airlines. Get a passenger list!

Call the Gunma and Nagano police. And the fire departments.

A bulletin from Kyodo News.

JAL Flight 123 is missing with 524 people aboard.

The worst single-plane accident in aviation history.

Regional staff, I want you!

Get me a map.

50,000-scale of the border area.

Oimura here...

Check the passenger list...

For locals, right?

Back in 10.

Why?

Someone's meeting me.

Yuuki!

Back in 10!

Wait!

Chief!

Tetsu! We're setting up a special team.