Joe Simpson, Touching the Void

Touching the void by Joe Simpson is a true story where two men go on a adventure together. They are both out to climb a unconquered moutain called Silula Grande in the Pervian Andes. It is a story following how both of them struggled up the mountain and down, with unbelivable tragedies and decisions to make along the way. It is brilliant with highs and lows and a book to read before you die.

Amazing and tense made me really feel for these brave men. However, we have heard too much from Joe, i wanted to hear more from Simon. Great, definitely recommended.

I liked everything about this story, but the best bit was all the interesting words and the the lovely vocabulary. Although some words i didn't think they went well with what he was trying to say. The best parts where when they were climbing the mountain.

Touching the Void is "that famous story" of mountaineering. To sum it up quickly: two young climbers successfully scale the unclimbed face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. One the way down, in dangerous conditions, Joe Simpson severely fractures his leg. Climbing partner Simon Yates tried to help him down, but ends up needing to cut Joe's rope to save his life. Joe survives a drop of at least 100 feet into a crevasse, and spends days crawling across snow fields and glaciers to get back to camp.The book is interesting that Joe, who wrote the book, is brutally honest about his own thoughts and experiences in a situation that would make anyone struggle. The good thing is that he seems to avoid using cliches or being overtly philosophical about "greater forces" or anything. Clearly the book was written very soon after the incident when Joe Simpson must still have struggled with his experience.The book has some distinct advantages over the movie (which I have on DVD): you get a better feel of Joe's experience in his own words rather than an "interpretation" by film makers. Plus, one thing that is not explained in the film were Joe's feelings towards Simon, the "man who cut the rope". Joe makes it very clear in the book that he has no anger towards Simon, and seems to be trying at every opportunity to defend Simon and his decision, stating that he would have done the same.The nice thing about the edition I have is that Joe adds a follow up, not only of a later expedition, but also his experiences of making the film. In addition, the great Sir Chris Bonnington has penned a foreword to the book, which is clearly a big priviledge to any climber.This book is an autobiography I'd recommend to anyone.

Touching the Void - Joe Simpson and his companion Simon Yates both in their prime and already accomplished climbers take on another challenge the mountain of Sula Grande. It's in a different sphere of the world from their normal climbs and as they take it on they begin to realise this. Snow storms engulf them, they run out of food and water and then the text becomes incredibly un-put-down-able. Joe falls and breaks his leg. Simon with frost bite and a determined will lowers Joe down the mountain. It's commonly known in climbing circles if you're now where near humanity no chance of rescue and a broken leg, it's just a matter of time before your life is claimed. During one lowering in a heavy snow storm Joe is lowered over the edge of a cliff, he can not support his self against the mountain and becomes a dead weight. Simon being dragged inch by inch takes the desperate measure of cutting the rope, it was him or Joe. Joe doesn't die, but the rest of the story is his life story of how he drags himself back to camp, how he copes with an adversity that in reality has already signed his death warrant. In this context who could not read such a book.