Mountaineer’s extraordinary story of survival

MOUNTAINEER Simon Yates – who has taken on some of the world’s most hostile terrains – is to visit Warrington to tell the story that catapulted him to fame.
He will be at the Pyramid on Friday November 23 with his incredible story “My Mountain Life.”
In June 1985, he embarked on a trek that would change his life forever.
High up on the remote Siula Grande in Peru, Simon found himself in a desperately unenviable position when his partner and friend Joe Simpson fell and broke his leg – an injury that can have the most serious repercussions for even seasoned climbers.
Determined not to abandon his friend, Simon attached himself to Joe using a rope and painstakingly lowered him thousands of feet down the mountain through blistering conditions.
However, just when it seemed things couldn’t get worse, Simon lowered Joe over an unseen cliff, meaning the injured climber was suspended above a deep crevasse, with Simon bearing all his dead weight.
As his weight threatened to pull both climbers off the cliff, Simon took the decision to cut the rope, causing Joe to plummet into the crevasse.
In an extraordinary tale of survival, both climbers returned to base camp, and this epic story was later penned in the book “Touching The Void” which was also made into a film – a move that turned both climbers into household names.
More than 30 years on Simon is still a very active climber and guide, making several expeditions to all corners of the world each year.
His talk, illustrated with photographs and movies, will enable members of the audience to share in some of his hair-raising experiences.
Tickets are on sale now at www.pyramidparrhall.com or at the Box Office on 01925 442345.