Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival

by Joe Simpson

We were in the middle of the Cordillera Huayhuash, in the Peruvian Andes,

'When you're sleeping at about the same height as Mont Blanc it doesn't seem very significant, does it?' Simon said with a mischievous grin.

These guys are referring to the highest point in the French Alps/Europe not including the Russian Caucasus peaks.

acclimatised and ready now for our main objective - the West Face of Siula Grande.

Even without the tent, the snow stakes, ice screws, crampons and axes, rock gear, stoves, gas, food and sleeping bags all amounted to a daunting load.

The glacier edge was cracked and contorted, and we looked back at our route so as to fix the features in our minds.

Know your features so you can descend in bad weather if needed.

Looming over, with my stomach clenched, and a sharp strong sense of danger, I enjoyed the feeling.