Hoping to improve his nation's standing after World War II, geologist Kuramochi pushes for a Japanese expedition to Antarctica but meets resistance.

Vice exploration leader Hoshino asks Shirasaki to allow him and a team of people to spend the winter in Antarctica; the Soya encounters stormy seas.

Kuramochi suggests setting up the research base on an island connected to the continent by an ice sheet; he has trouble with the sled dogs.

The 11 men of the wintering team prepare to survive Antarctica's harsh climate; Inuzuka dozes off and causes an accident with disastrous consequences.

Kuramochi announces that it is time to climb Botnnuten and invites Himuro to join him, but Himuro believes the mission is too dangerous.

Four days after the accident, Kuramochi, Himuro and Inuzuka struggle to survive in the wilderness; a search party finds three of their dogs.