Back to the YouTube video - if the prop stopped because of a snarlup with the rope then why did the pilot need to deploy the parachute ? Am curious because I thought he'd just need to do an emergency engine-off landing (apols if I have this wrong as I'm not a power pilot).
From the few things that you can see on the video, I'd say he wasn't particularly high, and the terrain below looked rather hostile for a "normal" power-off landing.
On the other hand, there must have been a glider field nearby, somewhere. But perhaps not within gliding distance.
Oh well, we weren't there. Very easy to criticize a life-or-death decision from the comfy chair, with full hindsight.