Between a Rock and a Hard Place
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Overview
One of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told -- Aron Ralston's searing account of his six days trapped in one of the most remote spots in America, and how one inspired act of bravery brought him home.
It started out as a simple hike in the Utah canyonlands on a warm Saturday afternoon. For Aron Ralston, a twenty-seven-year-old mountaineer and outdoorsman, a walk into the remote Blue John Canyon was a chance to get a break from a winter of solo climbing Colorado's highest and toughest peaks. He'd earned this weekend vacation, and though he met two charming women along the way, by early afternoon he finally found himself in his element: alone, with just the beauty of the natural world all around him.
It was 2:41 P.M. Eight miles from his truck, in a deep and narrow slot canyon, Aron was climbing down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly, and terrifyingly, came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall.
And so began six days of hell for Aron Ralston. With scant water and little food, no jacket for the painfully cold nights, and the terrible knowledge that he'd told no one where he was headed, he found himself facing a lingering death -- trapped by an 800-pound boulder 100 feet down in the bottom of a canyon. As he eliminated his escape options one by one through the days, Aron faced the full horror of his predicament: By the time any possible search and rescue effort would begin, he'd most probably have died of dehydration, if a flash flood didn't drown him before that.
What does one do in the face of almost certain death? Using the video camera from his pack, Aron began recording his grateful good-byes to his family and friends all over the country, thinking back over a life filled with adventure, and documenting a last will and testament with the hope that someone would find it. (For their part, his family and friends had instigated a major search for Aron, the amazing details of which are also documented here for the first time.) The knowledge of their love kept Aron Ralston alive, until a divine inspiration on Thursday morning solved the riddle of the boulder. Aron then committed the most extreme act imaginable to save himself.
It started out as a simple hike in the Utah canyonlands on a warm Saturday afternoon. For Aron Ralston, a twenty-seven-year-old mountaineer and outdoorsman, a walk into the remote Blue John Canyon was a chance to get a break from a winter of solo climbing Colorado's highest and toughest peaks. He'd earned this weekend vacation, and though he met two charming women along the way, by early afternoon he finally found himself in his element: alone, with just the beauty of the natural world all around him.
It was 2:41 P.M. Eight miles from his truck, in a deep and narrow slot canyon, Aron was climbing down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly, and terrifyingly, came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall.
And so began six days of hell for Aron Ralston. With scant water and little food, no jacket for the painfully cold nights, and the terrible knowledge that he'd told no one where he was headed, he found himself facing a lingering death -- trapped by an 800-pound boulder 100 feet down in the bottom of a canyon. As he eliminated his escape options one by one through the days, Aron faced the full horror of his predicament: By the time any possible search and rescue effort would begin, he'd most probably have died of dehydration, if a flash flood didn't drown him before that.
What does one do in the face of almost certain death? Using the video camera from his pack, Aron began recording his grateful good-byes to his family and friends all over the country, thinking back over a life filled with adventure, and documenting a last will and testament with the hope that someone would find it. (For their part, his family and friends had instigated a major search for Aron, the amazing details of which are also documented here for the first time.) The knowledge of their love kept Aron Ralston alive, until a divine inspiration on Thursday morning solved the riddle of the boulder. Aron then committed the most extreme act imaginable to save himself.
Reviews (11)
between a rock and hard place
Written by Vivian on April 10th, 2008
- Book Rating: 4/5
wow-- I remember hearing about this on TV and reading an account of this ordeal in the newspaper, but to hear Aron tell the story was painful... Such courage--an inspiration for what a person can do with the attitude and fortitude to survive.
Entertaining
Written by Silvia Munoz-Price on October 7th, 2007
- Book Rating: 4/5
It is a good book. Interesting story. Easy to follow.
A breakthrough in human survival
Written by Justin Norton on April 13th, 2006
- Book Rating: 5/5
A delightful and motivating adventure. From this point on human science has been changed. For years we have aahhed over the highly motivated coyote and wolverine for their uncanny ability to remove a limb in means of survival. This book has opened a new paradigm shift for the entire world. A time when man, has faced his greatest challenge yet, yes men have died and sacrificed much more for many thing in this world, but to amputate ones own hand in a desperate struggle of freedom has now set a much newer horizon. A must read for everyone.
Between something on my opion too!
Written by Shane Nixon from Burlington, NC on December 16th, 2005
- Book Rating: 2/5
There were times when I REALLY wanted to just stop the CD player and be done. There were times when I didn't want to get out of the truck. I think the big thing for me is that I KNEW how the story turned out, and it took a LONG TIME to get to that point. Probably my own fault, but this one was far from great for me. I didn't enjoy him reading it either. But I didn't hate it. Again, I think my own expectations were for something else.
Can't Decide
Written by Shane Nixon from Burlington, NC on November 10th, 2005
- Book Rating: 3/5
It is either GREAT, or AWFUL. I found myself sometimes almost falling asleep while driving it was so boring. The next chapter, I would not want to get out of the truck for fear of missing something. The story is obviously compeling, but I knew the ending so I was continually trying simply to guess "when" and not wondering what would happen. It also takes about 7 chapters to get started. I'll give it a three because I am not sure how I felt about it.
Great read!
Written by Anonymous on November 7th, 2005
- Book Rating: 4/5
I think Aron must have had a thesarus with him also besides his trusty pocket knife, because the only thing in this book that got on my nerves at times was the search to use the most uncommon, fanciest grammar to describe a simple and natural situation. But other than that it was a great book, great story! Highly recommend it to anyone.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Written by Anonymous from Woodland Hills, CA on September 1st, 2005
- Book Rating: 3/5
The story is a bit slow and boring until the accident. Then it picks up a bit, but I have to say that his voice would put me to sleep sometimes. And I found myself often zoning out and then I would have to repeat tracks because I stopped paying attention. Quite surprising for what you would think would be a very engaging story.
Incredible Story
Written by George Lewis from Helena, AL on July 5th, 2005
- Book Rating: 5/5
Wow! What a story! Even more powerful coming from his own voice. Excellently written and read. I could easily put myself in his shoes throught the book. You don't have to be the outdoors type to relate to this story. There are lessons in it for everyone. Highly recommended.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Written by Anonymous on June 29th, 2005
- Book Rating: 5/5
A gripping narrative that is so well told that it puts you right there in the canyon with Aron. Even with Aron's extraordinary physical condition and experience you can see the accident happening and feel his shock at what has just happened. What a testament to Aron's courage.
Between a rock and a hard place
Written by Robert Vandenbroeke from Moab, UT on May 29th, 2005
- Book Rating: 5/5
I really enjoyed this narrative . It was all the more interesting to me, as I have been down in those canyons . I couldn't understand how anyone could do what he did, but after hearing his story, I see he had no choice but to amputate his arm or die!