A lifting elevator (1418, 1518), comprising: a first elevator segment (1426A, 1526A) having a first plurality of slips; a second elevator segment (1426B, 1526B) rotatably coupled to the first elevator segment, the second elevator segment having a second plurality of slips; a third elevator segment (1426C, 1526C) rotatably coupled to the first elevator segment, the third elevator segment having a third plurality of slips; a first hinge (1428A, 1528A) about which the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment are rotatable with respect to each other; and a second hinge (1428B, 1528B) about which the first elevator segment and the third elevator segment are rotatable with respect to each other, a first lifting lug (1438A, 1538A) directly coupled to the first elevator segment; a second lifting lug (1438B, 1538B) directly coupled to the first elevator segment, wherein the first lifting lug and the second lifting lug are configured to carry a load of a conductor string that includes the joint of pipe, wherein each of the first plurality of slips, the second plurality of slips, and the third plurality of slips comprises a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe; and a segmented timing ring coupled to and configured to actuate the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips and the third plurality of slips, wherein the segmented timing ring is actuated by one of a pneumatically, hydraulically, and electrically powered actuator. a first elevator segment (1426A, 1526A) having a first plurality of slips; a second elevator segment (1426B, 1526B) rotatably coupled to the first elevator segment, the second elevator segment having a second plurality of slips; a third elevator segment (1426C, 1526C) rotatably coupled to the first elevator segment, the third elevator segment having a third plurality of slips; a first hinge (1428A, 1528A) about which the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment are rotatable with respect to each other; and a second hinge (1428B, 1528B) about which the first elevator segment and the third elevator segment are rotatable with respect to each other, a first lifting lug (1438A, 1538A) directly coupled to the first elevator segment; a second lifting lug (1438B, 1538B) directly coupled to the first elevator segment, wherein the first lifting lug and the second lifting lug are configured to carry a load of a conductor string that includes the joint of pipe, are rotatable with respect to each other, a first lifting lug (1438A, 1538A) directly coupled to the first elevator segment; a second lifting lug (1438B, 1538B) directly coupled to the first elevator segment, wherein the first lifting lug and the second lifting lug are configured to carry a load of a conductor string that includes the joint of pipe, wherein each of the first plurality of slips, the second plurality of slips, and the third plurality of slips comprises a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe; and a segmented timing ring coupled to and configured to actuate the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips and the third plurality of slips, wherein the segmented timing ring is actuated by one of a pneumatically, hydraulically, and electrically powered actuator. plurality of slips comprises a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe; and a segmented timing ring coupled to and configured to actuate the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips and the third plurality of slips, wherein the segmented timing ring is actuated by one of a pneumatically, hydraulically, and electrically powered actuator.