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The Daily Insight

Why did Simon cut the rope

Author

Emma Valentine

Published Mar 27, 2026

Joe Simpson, one leg badly broken, was dangling helplessly above his doom in the Peruvian Andes, connected to life and his climbing partner, Simon Yates, by a 5/16-inch nylon line. Then Yates cut the rope to save his own life.

Why did Simon cut the rope in Touching the Void?

“The snow was collapsing and sooner or later I was going to be pulled off the mountain to my death. “I got a knife out of my rucksack, which was difficult because I was losing feeling in my hands, and cut the rope. It wasn’t a great decision; it was a pragmatic act made in the moment.

Would you cut the rope Touching the Void?

The new play revisiting a classic dilemma. Touching the Void is the real-life survival story of mountaineers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, whose dramatic descent from a climb in Peru became the subject of a million-selling book and, in 2003, a BAFTA-winning movie.

Was Simon Yates wrong to cut the rope?

There was little room for morality in the decision to cut the rope, says Yates. “I think people read or think far too much into it really. The actual decision wasn’t really a decision. … Simpson has always defended Yates over his decision to cut the rope, and is adamant he would have done exactly the same thing.

What happened to Joe Simpson and Simon Yates?

When the injured Simpson was inadvertently lowered over a cliff, Yates hung on for more than an hour before making a devastating decision: he cut the rope, sending his companion plunging to certain death. But Simpson survived, and four days later he crawled into base camp.

Does Joe Simpson blame Simon?

For a while he didn’t speak about his experience, but when it became clear that in climbing circles that Yates was being attacked for his actions, Simpson realised he had to write up what had happened. ‘They all decided to blame Simon,’ Simpson recalls. ‘It was ridiculous.

Why did Yates cut rope?

However, Simpson survived the fall and managed to climb and crawl out of the crevasse and reached base camp four days later. Yates’ rescue efforts contributed significantly to saving Simpson’s life despite his decision, near the end of rescue, that he needed to cut their climbing rope to prevent a fatal fall.

How does Touching the Void end?

The main docudrama ends when Simpson reaches base camp to find Yates and Hawking still in residence and his safety is then assured.

Did Joe Simpson survive?

Joe Simpson (born 1960) is a British mountaineer, author, and motivational speaker. While climbing in Peru in 1985, he suffered severe injuries and was thought lost after falling into a crevasse, but he survived and managed to crawl back to his base camp.

When did Touching the Void happen?

The true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.

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Is Simon Yates in the Tour de France?

Simon Yates has abandoned the Tour de France 2021. The British climber had been hoping to target stage wins in the Pyrenees in the coming days, but he was caught up in a high-speed crash with around 60km left to race on stage 13. … But after pursuing the bunch, Yates was forced to leave the Tour de France.

Is Touching the Void real footage?

It reconstructs the true story of the fateful climb which British mountaineers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates undertook in the Andes in 1985. The film combines documentary and dramatic reconstructions of the ascent of Siula Grande which nearly killed the two climbers.

How far did Joe fall in Touching the Void?

Touching the Void is a 1988 book by Joe Simpson, recounting his and Simon Yates’s near fatal descent after climbing the 6,344-metre (20,814 ft) peak Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. Approximately 15% of the book is written by Yates. It has sold over a million copies and has been translated into over 20 languages.

What is touching the void meaning?

: My understanding is that it means to achieve the unachievable, experience the impossible. Something along those lines. I think that, in this usage, ‘The void’ is a vacuum, such as Outer Space, which cannot be touched, but to actually do so surpasses normal human experience.

Did Joe Simpson climb Eiger?

Nine years later, when climbing on the Eiger in 2000, he was caught in a storm and heard two climbers plummet to their deaths close by. This would be enough to put many off for life, but Simpson had made six attempts to climb the mountain by the end of the following year.

What happened to Jessica Simpson's dad?

In 2012, Joe filed for divorce from Tina after being married for over 30 years. In Open Book, Jessica said that her dad “betrayed” his marriage to Tina. … Joe then denied that there was another person that came between him and Tina, saying, “I’m not with anybody else. I love your mother.”

Are Simpson and Yates friends?

In their rush, Simpson slipped, fell and broke a tibia: staying alive no longer depended on him, but rather the empathy of Yates. They were not friends, just climbing partners by chance; the relationship was only made to quench their thirst for adventure.

Did Joe climb Everest?

Simpson has never done high-altitude mountaineering (above 8,000m). In a sense, his criticism here is the same as that made by those who knew only that Yates had cut the rope, but not how he had saved Simpson’s life previously.

What does Joe Simpson do now?

Simpson, 59, lives in the Peak District, and is the author of eight books.

What mountain did they climb in Touching the Void?

Touching the Void tells the story of what befell the 25-year-old Simpson and his climbing partner Simon Yates, then 21, when they set out to conquer the unclimbed west face of a notorious peak called Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes.

Why is Touching the Void Rated R?

“Touching the Void” is not rated but would probably receive an R for occasional use of strong sexual profanity and crude slang terms, mountain-climbing violence and scenes of peril, and some brief drug content (use of painkillers).

Which mountain is the deadliest?

Annapurna, Nepal Located in north-central Nepal, Annapurna is widely considered to be the deadliest mountain on Earth, and one of the most difficult to climb. Standing 26,545 feet in height, it is the 10th-highest peak on the planet and is well known for its frequent, and sudden, avalanches.

Are there any mountains that haven't been climbed?

An unclimbed mountain is a mountain peak that has yet to be climbed to the top. … Most sources indicate that Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 metres, 24,840 ft) in Bhutan or on the Bhutan–China border is the tallest mountain in the world that has yet to be fully summited.

Did Jessica Simpson's parents divorce?

“I feel like it made it harder for me to accept other people in their lives.” Jessica Simpson is taking a look back at her parents’ divorce. … Jessica’s parents — Joe Simpson and Tina Ann Drew — divorced in 2012 after 34 years of marriage.

How rich is Ashlee Simpson?

Net Worth:$11 MillionDate of Birth:Oct 3, 1984 (37 years old)Gender:FemaleHeight:5 ft 6 in (1.7 m)Profession:Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Singer-songwriter, Dancer

Who Abandoned Tour de France today?

Register now for FREE unlimited access to reuters.com. CLUSES, France, July 4 (Reuters) – Primoz Roglic, last year’s runner up, abandoned the Tour de France before stage nine after suffering multiple bruises when he crashed in stage three, the Slovenian cyclist said on Sunday.

Who has abandoned the Tour de France 2021?

Peter Sagan has abandoned the Tour de France 2021 after struggling with knee pain that has developed due to bursitis. The Bora-Hansgrohe star has been almost anonymous during this year’s race ever since his heavy crash with Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) on stage three of the race where he picked up the injury.

Is Adam Yates riding the Tour de France 2021?

A new signing for the Grenadiers in 2021, Adam Yates arrives with a strong record in stage races and Grand Tours. With a best finish of fourth at the Tour de France, and coming off a ninth place in 2020, Yates knows what it takes to be competitive across three weeks.

Is the climbers based on a true story?

The Climbers (Chinese: 攀登者) is a 2019 Chinese adventure drama film directed by Daniel Lee and written by Alai. … The film tells the real-life expedition of two generations of Chinese mountaineers to ascend Mount Everest from the perilous north side in 1960 and 1975.

What two decisions did Simon Yates have to make?

He had two choices: hold the rope and risk both their lives, or cut the rope and survive. It was an impossible decision for Yates but, at the last second, he cut the rope and saved himself.