Today in Survival History

Finally, after almost five full months of 2004, the Worst Case Scenario dishes up a story of survival worthy of the calendar.

On this day in 1985, British adventurers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates began their ascent of Siula Grande, a 21,000 foot tall mountain in Peru. They reached the summit in June but it was the events that occurred afterward that defied belief. While descending, Simpson fell, completely destroying his knee. Then, while Yates was attempting to lower the injured Simpson down a section of the mountain by rope, the slope gawa way, with only Yate's failing strength (can you hear the dramatic musical score?). Yates eventually had no choice but to cut the rope, sending Simpson falling. Yates returned to base camp heartbroken. Unbelievably, Simpson survived the fall, and over the course of the days that followed, managed to drag himself back to camp.

Now THAT is a survival story!