Simpson has always defended Yates over his decision to cut the rope, and is adamant he would have done exactly the same thing. Yet the two Englishmen no longer speak, having drifted apart since the making of the movie. “I don’t have anything in common with him anymore,” admits Yates.

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.

What does Simon Yates do now?

After graduation Yates concentrated on mountaineering and did rope access work to support himself financially. Yates currently lives in Cumbria (north west England) with his wife Jane Yates and their two children Lewis and Maisy Yates. Yates’ wife & children have accompanied him of some of his later expeditions.

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 was Joe rescued?

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.

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.

How did Simpson and Yates get down the mountain?

Yates had to painstakingly lower Simpson down the mountain using a rope pully system. At intervals, Simpson would stand on his good leg and signal to Yates to come and join him. They repeated this process and were making steady ground. In the book he writes about this approach: “ [Yates] was still grinning, and his confidence was infectious.

Who is John Simpson?

Simpson has another career as a motivational speaker, addressing corporate events throughout the world. His most recent book is the novel Walking the Wrong Side of the Grass, published in 2018.

What happened to Jason Simpson and did he survive?

But Simpson survived, and four days later he crawled into base camp. Three years after that, he gave his account in a best-selling book, Touching the Void, which was adapted into a documentary in 2003 and a play in 2018. It’s a startling case study of a man facing death, but one that’s absolutely about living. “Would I have cut the rope?

How old was Tom Simpson when he started climbing?

From the age of 8, Simpson travelled between schools in Britain and various countries where his father was stationed. Simpson began rock climbing after being introduced to the sport at Peak Scar on the Hambleton Hills in north-eastern Yorkshire by a teacher at Ampleforth College.