Touching the Void

[dave archer]

I went to see Touching the Void yesterday, a documentary (with plenty of re-enactment) about a mountainteering incident in the Himalayas - thoroughly recommend it!

Harrowing, but very well done and captivating. Rarely have a I heard a cinema in such hushed silence, with nervous laughter erupting that telling bit too loudly at the odd moment of humour.

I'm not into climbing, but would recommend this film to anyone. Unless you're about to start some Himalayan challenge yourself, in which case I'd skip it  

Dave.

[peter k]

Read the book. Apparently he ended up being shunned in a lot of climbing circles for cutting the rope. Only he knows if it was the right thing to do and it's his concious that has to deal with it.

Peter

[Mary]

<font color='#008080'>I read an article about this recently, apparently the buddy (or what ever the term climbers use) who cut the rope had come to terms with the incident.

Since the filming and subsequent release of the film the guy has had a breakdown due to the stress of the situation and a whole new group of people many who know nothing about climbing judgeing him &nbsp;

The book i felt was outstanding and I shall be sure to make time to see the film.

[dave archer]

I haven't read the book (will be doing), so only have the content of the film to go on. At the end it said he'd been criticised by some in climbing circles for cutting the rope, but that his 'buddy' has always defended his decision to do so.

From the film, I can't see what possible choice he had - any climbers out there able to offer any insight ??  

Seems (from the film) that doing so saved them both in the event.

Mary - I'm really sorry to hear Simon has had a breakdown since the film came out. He must have a had enough of a time of it with his own concience, without others (who weren't there, of course) opening their mouths on the subject.
   

Enthralling film though  

Dave.

[Mark Davies]

<font color='#000080'>It's an absoulutely fantastic book. An incredible story on the strength of human nature.

I had the privilage of meeting Joe Simpson a few years ago in a pub in the Lakes. A very unassuming bloke. He says in the book, and did to me personally, that he bears no resentment whatsoever to his climbing partner. In the same position, he would have done the same thing. So would I. I'm not surprised his partner isn't coping with it, though I've never heard a climber offer any criticism on the subject.

I'll be going to see the film of course, but I'd suggest that if you like that, read the book. Awesome.