Touching the Void

A curious confluence of events has brought thoughts of mortality to mind.

On the weekend I came across this entry at the Church of Steel blog. It's a long but touching post about a man's experience as a father and as a son. "Garrison Steelle" talks about dealing with a disturbed wife and buffering their young son from her behaviour and also reminisces about a special birthday celebration for his now deceased father. That got me thinking about how fragile our happiness is and how fleeting the time with those we love.

Now I've just finished watching the film Touching the Void (PBS) and Desperate Housewives (ABC) on tape because I couldn't watch them Sunday night. And interesting combination back to back; not surprisingly it isn't Desperate Housewives that compounded my thinking...

Touching the Void is the true story of two young British climbers who faced an unclimbed mountain face with fearless confidence and managed against all odds to survive a horrible string of accidents on the descent that left them separated, close to death and convinced that the other had perished. A desperate tale (hey, it all ties in!) to say the least, but beautifully filmed and told with power. Not a film for those with a fear of heights. What caught me was how these young men looked death in the face at every step, weighted the risks, and chose a course of action. Talk about human frailty and of consequences! Yeesh.

Touching the Void also reminded me of a mountain mis-adventure of my own many years ago. Nothing even faintly as desperate of course, but if you ask me I'll tell you about it.