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Have you ever experienced the "third man"?
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:07 pm
by Grampahawk
I read an interesting article about a mysterious phenomenon that happens to solo climbers who are hurt, lost, or very tired. It invoves a human's capacity to conjure up a companion when one is most needed in a survival situation. T.S. Elliot wrote about it:
Who is the third who walks always beside you?
When I count, there are only you and I together
But when I look ahead up the white road
There is always another one walking beside you
Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded
I do not know whether man or woman
-but who is that on the other side of you?
I seldom solo and have never experienced this. Have any of you?
More information on this can be found in a book written by explorer and survivalist John Geiger- "The third man factor: surviving the impossible". He has document hundreds of these incidents.
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:39 pm
by Big Benn
Interesting.
I day hike the mountains mainly on my own. And often choose routes where I can be alone all day. I have sometimes returned very, very tired, (one of the conditions mentioned), due to being old, over weight etc, (Ugly Fat Bastard in fact!), but not yet experienced that phenomenon.
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:40 pm
by lowlands
Interesting idea you've presented. The mind can definitely do some crazy things. I've recently been looking into studies people have done regarding the human brain in solitude and desperation. A notable one of which was Ken Ambler's recollection of the 1996 Everest season and how one climber, Beck Weathers, after lying in the snow for about 2 days just below the summit, drew enough energy from the thought that he had too much to live for, to just die there.
Very interesting 20 min. video, I can find the link if anyone would want to watch it.
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:57 pm
by MoapaPk
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:03 pm
by Grampahawk
Very erie. Extremely well done
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:05 pm
by Sierra Ledge Rat
Yes, I've experienced the Third Man Factor and wrote about it here:
http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/435884/The-Search-A-Winter-Solo-of-the-Leaning-Tower.html
There is a good book about the Third Man Factor.
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:08 pm
by Dow Williams
I prefer the third person to be a woman, but to each his own.
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:21 pm
by OJ Loenneker
I often mumble and have conversations with my self when I am out and about by my self in the hills. I don't think that that is th same thing though...
Posted:
Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:33 pm
by MoapaPk
Does a sock puppet count?
Posted:
Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:29 am
by RayMondo
The subconscious will do anything to help a person (the host) survive. Many Third Man experiences arise from delirium, though the need to "create" a companion is a tool that the mind will use in order gain comfort.
Dr Hamish MacInnes described meeting another man in the jungle below Roraima (Climb To The Lost World), when in a state of exhaustion. He reported following the man, until he turned and faced him. Only to find that it was himself.
I have not had a direct Third Man experience, though when I'm in a blizzard and get all closed up in my gear, I get very close to my own, inner self.
Posted:
Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:34 am
by Diego SahagĂșn
Posted:
Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:51 am
by Diego SahagĂșn
Reinhold Messner's story by David Roberts on Adventure Magazine:
http://www.a-z.gr/index.php?name=News_e ... cle&sid=14
Posted:
Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:34 am
by MoapaPk
Lolli wrote:MoapaPk wrote:Does a sock puppet count?
A sock puppet? What's that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrK3Zko8Lbg
Posted:
Wed Jan 27, 2010 2:31 am
by OJ Loenneker
Lolli wrote:MoapaPk wrote:Does a sock puppet count?
A sock puppet? What's that?
Puppet made out of a sock.
I know they have them in Sweden, because I made one when I lived in Denmark.
Posted:
Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:37 am
by Charles
Lolli wrote:hehe
yes, they do
For some reason I thought about electricity... not about dolls.
Good one!