Tetshu Shiohara was a lost soul living on Shikoru, in an appartment alone. He was a wandering man according to some while other describe him as humble and determined. His father was a loacl professor. Tetshu studied in America, returned to Japan but failed his attempts to pass his bar exam. These problems caused him to become more reclusive despite already having a distant relationship with his family and no friends. His lack of social interactions is probably the reason why he began live streaming in 2015. Aroudn this time Tstshu was a hobby and he announced his intention to compete in biathlon. Despite his struggling situation he didn't complain about it during his streams. He liked speaking with his viewers and was generous with his time. Among those viewers, one standed out, a women who broadcasted lifestyle videos. She was friendly with him and the 2 would interact online. He accepted an offer in 2017 to climb Mout Fuji with her. It's unclear if tfter that the 2 met again. But she encouraged him to keep climbing. Tetshu also broadcasted his daily activities including commuting to his hospital appointments. As a stage 4 colon cancer patient, he only had 7% survival odds. He was unemployed anr received financial support from his parents. He would eventually meet his fate on October 2019. He became a regular climber of Japan's tallest mountain. He reached its summit every summer season. The legend say the spirit goddess of Sakuya Hime protects and lives on the mountain. Discussions online even suggests the goddess took notice of Tetshu's presence in the events to come.Weather conditions and its popular trails make it one of the most visited mountain in the world generally between July and September. Climbing outside this window without permission of authorities is forbidden since ice and slopes make climbing its slopes dangerous for professionals let alone general public.
Generally speaking this moutain is still welcoming to beginners. Its trails have 10 rest points for climbers to sleep, get food and access first aid stations. Despite this, some accidents can happen and aroud 10 fatalities happen each year. The moutain huts only offer short term protection making sudden wealth, hypothermia, dangerous. Even in the summer months, temperatures in the summit can be beyond freezing. Always triple check the weather, listen to the locals and over prepare. The official mountain website is stating these risks. Tetshu would climb this moutain several times for at least 4 years without incident and the summer conditions mean he hd no winter climbing experience. He broadcaste his commute home from a hospital appointment and a live stream viewer metionned they would like to see the view of Mount Fuji in winter Tetshu replied that it wouldn't probably be that cold, that he would go without dying. The fact that he mentionned the word die shows he knew how dangerous it could be. Maybe he didn't care or was denial. He wouldn't have access to mountian huts for food or rest after the fifth station since it was closed. Only approved climbers are allowed to reach that summit in off season. Crampons who have solid grip are required, poles with snow basket also, and finally cie axe is essential to perform a life saving maneuver. It's, without ropes, the only way to stop an uncontrolled slip. Tetshu sent off in Tokyo on October 28th 2019. then joined the most popular Yoshida trail, planning to start hiking in mid morning to reach summit as quickly as possible and then descend the mountain during the same day. He posts that he feels sick and want to go home. At 10 : 30 he reaches the fifth station and starts his live broadcast.His gloves are not wind or waterproof. His choice of casual jeans light hiking boots and a fleece jacket aren't much better.
At 10 : 42 he enters the Yushi trail ignoring clear warmings that it's closed, air is misty and clouds hang low in the atmosphere. The terrain is a moist and dramp. Tetshu then decides to reduce the typical round trip from 10 hours to 6 hours by completing a rapid climb of the mountain. it was a tight timing and he knew he would return in darkness.Why not bringing a head or handheld torch in case? He planned to rely on his phone. He mentions how he should avoid areas of snow because he is inexperienced, he mentions that he will try to not die, that even if he dies, he won't know. Tetshu climbs over another warning sign and keep going toward the snowcapped mountain. He also admits he forgot the crampons. Shortly after he reaches the sisth station and sees that mountian huts are closed then he tells to his viewers that outside of mountain climbing, snow is the only thing easy to climb. He is also behind his schedule. Reaching the summit by 2 pm is crucial otherwise he won't be able to walk from the fifth station to the bus in darkness. Instead it will be a descent on icy slopes in pitch black with only a phone torch to guide his path. He reaches the 7th station at 11 : 35 and hears someone's voice. After he comes across a man and women on trail. Now he is 1 000 meters from the summit. Only 5 hours of sunlight left. No time for food or to rest. Mountainners can burn 700 calories per hour, even a bit more in extreme conditions. He tlels his viewers it would be better if it was snowing as he would go faster. By 1 : 19 om, Tetshu reaches the 8th station. He is completly alone and the trail is covered with snow. From here the mountain looks increasingly like a skiing resort. Guard rail and ropeways are covered by several feets of snow. At 01 : 50 pm; the trail is almost unwalkable without the right gear. Tetshu starts suffering from the lack of oxygen and stronger winds.
The frozen snow created a narrow walkable path. One wrong step would make him in serious trouble. How Tetshu would ever descent the mountain is still unclear. In 2 : 15 pm, Tetshu is walkign 30 degree slopes at least, battling the wind and starting to lose the feelings in his fingers. It's also uncealr if he is on the right path. After a few minutes he reaches the path aroud the summit. He made it before 3 pm, a hollow victory. He ignores his last chance to call for help at the final station on his route. Tetshu had to climb over frozen sbnow drifts with only lose rocks now to stay He pauses to take a photo despite having freezing fingers and nearly falling twice. He is beyond the safety of the ropeway. Then he slipped near the summit around 2 : 30 pm, the stream was still live, shutting off when the phone hit a rock. There was nothing to hold on and he didn't know how to stop a slide. So he picked up speed until he fall from one of the mountain's edge. Members of the stream contacted the police. Team of rescue and helicopters searched for 2 days. At 1 : 40 pm of 20th October 2019, a body was found just below the 7th station, the lower half of the body was missing, face too damage to recognize him and a backpack with nothing to knowhis identity. The police suspected it was Tetshu Shiohara. 13 later their hunch was confirmed. Tetshu has falle 2 300 feets or 700 meters There are still debate about his true intentions, if it was deliberate suicide or just an accident. Tetshu was a guy in search for motivation and meaning. Streams were a rare place he could find connection and recognition.