Japanese mountaineer Nobukazu Kuriki, 33, from Hokkaido, is preparing to make his fifth attempt to summit Mount Everest in Nepal in September, 2015.
Japanese mountaineer Nobukazu Kuriki, 33, from Hokkaido, is preparing to make his fifth attempt to summit Mount Everest in Nepal in September, 2015.
Nobukazu Kuriki
Kuriki clasps his hands, which were badly frostbitten in 2012 and required amputation of several fingers and a thumb, during his Broad Peak ascent on the border of Pakistan and China in 2014.
Kuriki clasps his hands, which were badly frostbitten in 2012 and required amputation of several fingers and a thumb, during his Broad Peak ascent on the border of Pakistan and China in 2014.
Nobukazu Kuriki
"Icefall doctors" are currently preparing the way for Kuriki's Everest ascent but warn his climb needs to be completed by early October. This image shows Kuriki climbing Nepal's Mount Annapurna solo in 2010.
"Icefall doctors" are currently preparing the way for Kuriki's Everest ascent but warn his climb needs to be completed by early October. This image shows Kuriki climbing Nepal's Mount Annapurna solo in 2010.
Nobukazu Kuriki
Kuriki could be the only climber to ascend Everest this year. He's the only one to have received a permit for the climb. The Nepali government closed Everest in April after an earthquake triggered avalanches that killed 19 people.
Kuriki could be the only climber to ascend Everest this year. He's the only one to have received a permit for the climb. The Nepali government closed Everest in April after an earthquake triggered avalanches that killed 19 people.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
Kuriki will attempt to climb Everest without oxygen. It's a risky strategy. Without supplementary air, climbers battle fatigue and confusion which can lead to accidents. This image shows Kuriki during his Broad Peak ascent in 2014.
Kuriki will attempt to climb Everest without oxygen. It's a risky strategy. Without supplementary air, climbers battle fatigue and confusion which can lead to accidents. This image shows Kuriki during his Broad Peak ascent in 2014.
Nobukazu Kuriki
Look closely and you'll see Kuriki crossing a massive rock face on Broad Peak, which borders China and Pakistan, in 2014. He says his Everest attempt is "not for record or honor."
Look closely and you'll see Kuriki crossing a massive rock face on Broad Peak, which borders China and Pakistan, in 2014. He says his Everest attempt is "not for record or honor."
Nobukazu Kuriki
"By climbing and webcasting from Everest, I want to tell people that we can try together and share our adventures in life so they can keep trying for their dream," Kuriki told CNN. Kuriki is seen here during his Broad Peak expedition in 2014.
"By climbing and webcasting from Everest, I want to tell people that we can try together and share our adventures in life so they can keep trying for their dream," Kuriki told CNN. Kuriki is seen here during his Broad Peak expedition in 2014.
Nobukazu Kuriki