In May 1999, Malcolm Daly and his climbing partner Jim Donini were attempting to climb a new route on an unnamed peak in the Alaska Range when Malcolm fell, severely injuring both his legs and getting stranded on an icy ledge, alone in sub-zero temperatures for 48 hours while his partner went for help. By the time he was plucked off the mountain by a helicopter, both of his feet were frostbitten and one eventually had to be amputated.