Summary of Joe Simpson's Touching the Void

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

Book Preview: #1 I was in the middle of the Cordillera Huayhuash, in the Peruvian Andes, with Simon.

We were surrounded by spectacular ice mountains and the only indication of this from within our tent was the regular roaring of avalanches falling off Cerro Sarapo.#2 I was not the full ticket, but I was over the worst.

It was freezing last night. I had met Richard, a travel companion, in Lima, halfway through his six-month exploration of South America.

His wire-rimmed glasses, neat practical clothing, and bird-like mannerisms hid a dry humor and a wild repertoire of beachcombing reminiscences.#3 I was worried about the weather, but Simon was confident that it would not be as bad as it seemed.

He suggested that we should just climb through a snowfall, and if we did that we would risk mistaking a serious storm for the normal pattern.#4 I had worried unduly about whether there would be a significant difference between us.

I had imagined the frustrations and tensions that would arise from such a situation.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was not in any hurry.

I knew we could both reach the summit easily if a fine viewing point presented itself.