Falling to Safety

Photo courtesy Amazon.com

When Yates cut the rope, Simpson fell into a crevice. After a series of snow bridges slowed his fall, Simpson landed on an ice ledge. In almost total darkness and bitter cold, with an unknown drop on either side of him, Simpson decided to use the remains of the rope to lower himself down into the depths below. In his book, "Touching the Void," Simpson explains, "In seconds my whole outlook changed. The weary frightened hours of night were forgotten...I could do something positive. I could crawl and climb and keep on doing so until I had escaped from this grave."

He lowered himself until he hit a floor and, when dawn arrived, Simpson was able to climb out to the side of the mountain. Simpson wasn't entirely in-the-clear yet; he still had to get down the mountain and cross a rocky field in spite of his broken leg. He continued to force himself to press on by chanting, "Move, stop dozing, move!" An incredible amount of determination brought Joe Simpson down from Siula Grande. In the end, Simon Yates survived as well, after a harrowing descent to safety.

The Aftermath
Joe Simpson's book, "Touching the Void", about his experience on the mountain has also been made into a major motion picture. While many people have focused on the decision that Yates made to cut the rope, Simpson is first to point out that he would have done the exact same thing. In fact, he has said that he was surprised that Yates even attempted to stay with an injured climber.

Joe Simpson's experience was certainly frightening and for most, almost unthinkable. But, as with many survivors, Simpson's will to live was stronger than the alternative -- the decision to give in to his pain or despair. After several surgeries, Joe Simpson's leg is fully healed and he continues to mountain climb.