Unlike many free climbers, Koichiro Kobayashi does not consider the view from the top to be the highlight of scaling a cliff.
Unable to enjoy such vistas due to a severe visual impairment, Kobayashi, 46, feels a sense of achievement from completing a task that would be challenging even to those with perfect vision.
An enthusiastic climber from the age of 16, Kobayashi completed several major climbs overseas after starting university.