Aoi Yukimura

Aoi Yukimura is the protagonist of Encouragement of Climb and a student who once loved mountains with her childhood friend Hinata Kuraue. A fear of heights and a period of isolation leave her reluctant to return to climbing.

Aoi Yukimura's return to the mountains

Reserved, cautious, and skilled at solitary crafts, Aoi initially avoids unfamiliar people and difficult challenges. Her motivation grows from reconnecting with Hinata and discovering that progress can be gradual.

Fear, friendship, and gradual progress

Aoi learns hiking preparation, stamina, route planning, and mountain safety through increasingly demanding climbs. Friendships with Hinata, Kaede Saito, and Kokona Aoba help her recover confidence, while setbacks on Mount Fuji teach her to accept failure without abandoning her goal.