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Who Cut The Rope for You? Lessons Learned From a Mountain Climbing Movie



Posted: Sunday, July 08, 2007

by
horner associates

I watched a movie on mountain climbing one day while in a reflective mood. I had seen the movie before but never saw the powerful point that smacked me in the face until that day. I do not recall the name or actors of this action packed movie. However, I will, hopefully never forget the insightful lesson I learned.

You see the movie opens with three experience mountain climbers hanging off the edge by a rope and hook in the top of the ledge that was making its way out of the rock. The weight was too much. The people on the rope were a family of two children and their father.

The father, a man in his late forties was at the end of the rope while his son, in his 20’s was above him. The sister was clinging on to the rope and attempting to get a grip onto a rock that would hold the three of them. As much as she tried the rope attachment to the rock would not hold them. The father made a decision. He ordered the son above him to cut the rope in order to save their lives. With his weight removed, there was a chance. Without his death all three of them would die.

The son painfully obeyed. The decision caused strain with the relationship with his sister. However, she continued with her life to make it purposeful. She kept climbing.

Whereas. Her brother stopped. But he still had a meaningful career.

They meet again years later while her brother is the photographer covering a climbing expedition that his sister happens to be a participant.

Before the story ends, she is near death from a climb that went bad. Her brother climbs again to rescue her once again. Once again, in the attempt to save her life he is hanging on a rope with four climbers this time. In order the save the life of the woman the older climber orders the young man to cut the rope.

In this case, he willingly dies but takes an unwilling very rich climber with him who was responsible for the death of the wife of the climber above him in a prior climb because of his selfishness.

That was the short version. Here were the lessons I learned

  • If someone cuts the rope to save me from a certain death I am responsible for making my life even more purposeful and worthy of that sacrifice.
  • It is important to thank folks who may not have sacrificed a physical death but may have sacrificed other things in their life to make mine more meaningful.
  • I must examine what I would do if asked to “cut the rope" for someone else. Should I keep trying when the odds are against us? When should I cut the ropes? How will I live with the decision?
  • Which ropes need cutting in our lives for the achievement of our goals?


  • I do not want my climb up the mountains in my life to be a selfish climb.


  • I do not intend to hurt others in my climb up the mountain.


  • I really do not want to be at the end of my rope but desire to be around as long as I can to help others be better climbers. But If I must sacrifice to help someone else that I want to do it knowing that I will transition and be in a good place with my decision.


    • In conclusion, I encourage you to examine times when someone cut the rope for you. Have you been living a life with purpose? Have you been able to say “Thank You?"

    Say "Thank You" to someone who sacrificed for you today. Send a beautiful fine art thank you or encouragement card today. www.rayhorner.com

    This Article has been viewed 1,909 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
    Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
    » left by Cecelia
    from So. Florida     4 years 205 days ago.
    Yes. It reminded me to always be mindful of those who have and constantly sacrifice for me. It also reminds with that with each sacrifice should come a sense of duty.
    » left by 4 years 204 days ago.
    I agree with you. It is so very easy to forget when there is little struggle.
    » left by mike from england 3 years 38 days ago.
    its called vertical limit
    » left by Anonymous 3 years 38 days ago.
    cool! Thanks
    » left by MSK from INDIA 161 days 5 hours ago.
    Picture name is "VERTICAL LIMIT" and fantastic one.

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