Challenge x droproof

Murono What is your ultimate goal?

Katayama: My goal is to climb Denali, the highest peak in North America, by myself in 2025. Denali is the mountain where Naomi Uemura disappeared. I like the way he achieved great things while maintaining a humble attitude, and as I climbed the mountain, I began to think that perhaps I could go to Denali, too. I began to think that maybe I could make it to Denali.
Denali is not an easy mountain for me. It is located at a very northern latitude, and the conditions are very difficult. Therefore, I don't think I can go there suddenly, so I try to climb one or two mountains overseas a year to improve my skills while aiming for Denali.

Murono How did you come to know Naomi Uemura?

Katayama: I learned more about him after I started mountain climbing. I am from the same prefecture of Hyogo, and in Toyooka City, where I was born, there is the Naoki Uemura Adventure Museum. I went there many, many times. By getting to know Mr. Uemura in depth, I thought the strength and humanity hidden in his humility was cool.

Murono What kind of mountains were you climbing at that time?

Katayama: I was climbing Mt.

Murono How do you think our drop-roofs can be useful in these challenges?

Katayama: It is maintenance that can withstand severe conditions. When I was originally doing my own maintenance, I didn't really know the difference between waterproofing and water repellency, so I just kept shaking waterproofing spray. (Laughs)
How do you perfectly waterproof a product in a challenging, harsh environment? (laugh) I found Drop Roof when I was researching how to perfectly waterproof a product in a challenging environment.

Murono: Indeed. No matter how much you shake the waterproofing spray, the effect is limited, isn't it?

Katayama: I learned about the difference between waterproofing and water repellency on the website, and as I learned more about how it was developed, I decided to consult with your company.

Murono: I will do my best to be of service.

Murono Please give a message to those who are trying to take on this challenge.

Katayama: Your limits are not something that can be determined by others. But if I give up, that will become my limit.

In return for what I have been made aware of, I decided that next time I would be the one to tell people about it. The trigger for this thought happened to be the mountain (Yatsugatake Daidōshin), so I am conveying my message through the mountain. My left arm was said to be irreparable at the time, and there was no rehabilitation for my left arm. It was rehabilitation for living with my right hand. I would put on socks or wash my head using only my right hand.
I was rotten, but when I met him, an elementary school student (*see profile), and he made me aware, I became positive even though I couldn't move my left arm. And even though I couldn't move my left arm at all, I felt like I could give it a try just in case it didn't work.

Murono Until then, you had not even tried to move (your left arm).

Katayama: I was told that it wouldn't move, so I gave up. So I blamed my family, friends, and hospital staff. But I met someone and was able to change. Not only that, but the fact that I could not move my left arm at all was also a good thing.
Imagine, Mr. Murono, if you had been able to move your left arm even a little and the doctor had told you, "If you push it any harder, it will stop moving," don't you think you probably would not have done it?
But since it didn't move at all, I thought that since it wouldn't get any worse, even if I did something reckless, it would either stay the same or get better.

Murono I see, there was nothing less.

Katayama That's right. If I had moved at all, I probably would not have done it. The fact that my left arm did not move at all and the fact that I was noticed by the elementary school students was a plus and made me feel positive. I didn't have to take it out on anyone anymore.
I happened to be able to move my left arm, but I think there are many people who really can't heal. There are many people who can't get well even if they try. However, I was able to become a positive person through such a chance! I think that if I could just tell people that my illness or injury may not be cured, but they can become positive, even if it is only in their mind. I would be happy if I could convey that through my activities.

Katayama: Three years ago, I met a woman. She was climbing a snow-covered mountain with some friends when she stepped on a snow bank and slipped 200 meters to her death. She was just following the same trail as her friends, but she was the only one who slipped and fell. One step slower or one step faster would have changed my life. Why me? I was very worried.
But through my challenge, they became more positive, and now they are already back on the snowy mountain. When I see that, I realize that what I am doing is not in vain.

Murono: I think it is natural to feel depressed at times, but you may have had unfavorable circumstances, but it is no use holding grudges forever, so you changed your mind about what you can do now.

Katayama: Yes, I was able to create that opportunity. I want to keep telling people that going forward.