Touching The Void
Discussion
I watched the movie based on Joe Simpsons book, Touching The Void, on More4 the other night.
I read the book a while back so looked forward to the film, which I thoroughly enjoyed. What an inspiring story! It is difficult to comprehend quite how Joe Simpson managed to dredge up the sheer willpower and bloody mindedness to survive. Having broken my own leg ski-ing in France 9 years ago I found it difficult to watch the scenes where he tried to put weight on his mashed leg.
The one thing that surprised me is that Joe's friend Simon was apparently criticised by other climbers for cutting the rope. What was he supposed to do.
Inspirational stuff. If you haven't seen it it's essential viewing.
I read the book a while back so looked forward to the film, which I thoroughly enjoyed. What an inspiring story! It is difficult to comprehend quite how Joe Simpson managed to dredge up the sheer willpower and bloody mindedness to survive. Having broken my own leg ski-ing in France 9 years ago I found it difficult to watch the scenes where he tried to put weight on his mashed leg.
The one thing that surprised me is that Joe's friend Simon was apparently criticised by other climbers for cutting the rope. What was he supposed to do.
Inspirational stuff. If you haven't seen it it's essential viewing.
Indeed, great film, and even better book 
You should also read "The Beckoning Silence" by Joe Simpson - about an attempt on the North Face of The Eiger.
As for Yates being criticised for cutting the rope, one of my friends is a climber and is very much part of the same circles as Joe & Simon - his take on it is that he neither blames Yates nor criticises him, as he's never been in that situation, so he has no idea how he would act.
So to be honest, no-one can really criticise Yates, very few of us have ever been in his position at that time, and even fewer can say from their hearts that they know they wouldn't cut the rope.
Personally, I can't even begin to imagine making that decision either way....
You should also read "The Beckoning Silence" by Joe Simpson - about an attempt on the North Face of The Eiger.
As for Yates being criticised for cutting the rope, one of my friends is a climber and is very much part of the same circles as Joe & Simon - his take on it is that he neither blames Yates nor criticises him, as he's never been in that situation, so he has no idea how he would act.
So to be honest, no-one can really criticise Yates, very few of us have ever been in his position at that time, and even fewer can say from their hearts that they know they wouldn't cut the rope.
Personally, I can't even begin to imagine making that decision either way....
ApexClipper said:
As for Yates being criticised for cutting the rope, one of my friends is a climber and is very much part of the same circles as Joe & Simon - his take on it is that he neither blames Yates nor criticises him, as he's never been in that situation, so he has no idea how he would act.
So to be honest, no-one can really criticise Yates, very few of us have ever been in his position at that time, and even fewer can say from their hearts that they know they wouldn't cut the rope.
Personally, I can't even begin to imagine making that decision either way....
It made a point of it at the end of the film, that Simon had been criticised by fellow climbers. The way I saw it, if he hadn't cut the rope they would both have died.
You're right, terrible decision to have to make!
Good idea, chief.
I've had the DVD since last Chrimbo, still wrapped so will have a gander the neet, after I've hurled abuse at the cat.
{Btw, Paul - seen the new Tuscan convertible? That review in the latest EVO mag? Looks broadly tremendous; might you not fancy a jot of al fresco?}
Oinkton.
I've had the DVD since last Chrimbo, still wrapped so will have a gander the neet, after I've hurled abuse at the cat.
{Btw, Paul - seen the new Tuscan convertible? That review in the latest EVO mag? Looks broadly tremendous; might you not fancy a jot of al fresco?}
Oinkton.
To be fair, those who made that judgement didn't have all the facts to hand. Simpson wrote the book with the express intention of explaining why he thought Yates was justified in his actions.
Brilliant book and a fantastic film. Not being a climber I was glad to be presented with images that I couldn't really picture in my mind.
I also found it quite fascinating to watch the "making of" on the DVD because it gave a real insight into Joe Simpson's character. I came away not liking the bloke much to be honest. Having said that, I still respect him immensely. I suppose it takes a certain kind of person to do what he did - stubborn mainly!
Brilliant book and a fantastic film. Not being a climber I was glad to be presented with images that I couldn't really picture in my mind.
I also found it quite fascinating to watch the "making of" on the DVD because it gave a real insight into Joe Simpson's character. I came away not liking the bloke much to be honest. Having said that, I still respect him immensely. I suppose it takes a certain kind of person to do what he did - stubborn mainly!
derestrictor said:
{Btw, Paul - seen the new Tuscan convertible? That review in the latest EVO mag? Looks broadly tremendous; might you not fancy a jot of al fresco?}
Oinkton.
One of the things that I really like about the Targa is that it is two cars. Roof on and it's a coupe, roof off totally different. Different from any of the rag tops I've had.
Wouldn't mind a blast in your R400 though Simon.
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 15th October 22:35
If you liked the film and both the books, then minus 148 degrees - a book about the first winter ascent of Mt McKinley (the highest peak in North America @ ~19500ft) is simply awesome. In fact an indescribeably good book. So good I even took a flight around McKinley and hunter etc when I was in Alaska a couple of weeks back.
Dave
p.s. -148deg is how cold it got when they were climbing McKinkey
Dave
p.s. -148deg is how cold it got when they were climbing McKinkey
David A said:
If you liked the film and both the books, then minus 148 degrees - a book about the first winter ascent of Mt McKinley (the highest peak in North America @ ~19500ft) is simply awesome. In fact an indescribeably good book. So good I even took a flight around McKinley and hunter etc when I was in Alaska a couple of weeks back.
Dave
p.s. -148deg is how cold it got when they were climbing McKinkey
- I'd second that for a superb book - first read it when I used to live there as a teenager and first started climbing. BTW McKinley is 20,320 ft 
>> Edited by alfaman on Thursday 24th November 21:14
David A said:
If you liked the film and both the books, then minus 148 degrees - a book about the first winter ascent of Mt McKinley (the highest peak in North America @ ~19500ft) is simply awesome. In fact an indescribeably good book. So good I even took a flight around McKinley and hunter etc when I was in Alaska a couple of weeks back.
Dave
p.s. -148deg is how cold it got when they were climbing McKinkey
Thats farenheight I presume
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff