"IT'S 3:05 ON SUNDAY. This marks my 24-hour mark of being stuck in Blue John Canyon. My name is Aron Ralston. My parents are Donna and Larry Ralston, of Englewood, Colorado. Whoever finds this, please make an attempt to get this to them. Be sure of it. I would appreciate it."
It's April 27, 2003, and for the first time since my arm was pinned against the wall of this Utah canyon, I am using my digital camcorder to videotape myself. I take long blinks and rarely look at the camera's screen. What makes me avert my glance is the haggard expression in my eyes. They are wide-open, huge bowls; loose rolls of flesh sag and tug at my lower eyelids.
Picking up the camera, I point it first at my forearm and wrist, where it disappears in the horrifyingly skinny gap between a large boulder and the canyon wall. Then I pan the camcorder up over the pinch point to my grayish-blue hand.
"What you're looking at there is my arm, going into the rock ... and there it is stuck. It's been without circulation for 24 hours. It's pretty well gone."
Shaking my head in defeat, I yawn, battling fatigue.
I outline my failed attempts at self-rescue, and continue. "The other thing that could happen is someone comes. This being a continuation of a canyon that's not all that popular, and the continuation being less so, I think that's very unlikely before I retire from dehydration and hypothermia. Judging by my degradation in the last 24 hours, I'll be surprised if I make it to Tuesday."
I know with a sense of finality that I'm saying goodbye to my family my parents and my 22-year-old sister, Sonja and that regardless of how much I suffer in this spot, they will feel more agony than me.
"I'm sorry."
Comments
I've just finished reading your book. I usually read about 50 pages per night, but I couldn't read your story at that slow rate. And now I want to know how close you are to that little boy that you lifted to your shoulders. Is it going to happen? Have a very fulfilling, but safer life.
Flag This@Joanne /strong - he's there! just read that Aron and his wife had a baby boy in February: http://coloradocommunitynewspapers.com/articles/2010/11/26/news_press/lifestyles/26_pj_ralston_qa_dc.txt
Flag ThisNow that the movie is out, even more people will hear and see Aron's amazing story. I got to see it with a gathering of his friends and family in Boulder, and all of us were riveted. I reviewed the film on my blog at http://www.marshallulrich.com/blog/127-hours-Aron-Ralston.
Flag ThisAdventure is inherently risky, however Ralston should never have been climbing alone and, even worse, without anyone knowing where he was. He was then and still is a reckless and foolhardy athlete as evidenced by his admission that since Moab he's summited all the CO 14ers in winter and solo. Clearly the added risk of solo adventuring is more important to him than the concern of family and friends. While a fascinating story of survival it's hard for me to jump on this bandwagon.
Flag ThisThere is risk in everything we do but spending your time on the computer bad mouthing others who are out there living their dreams is a waste. Aaron was doing what he loved and I give him two thumbs for living those dreams. If I had to wait for someone each time I wanted to go out hiking the North Cascades, I might as well stay at home and waste my life in front of a television set watching football. My wife supports my love for outdoor adventure regardless of the consequences. Live the Dream!!
Flag ThisThank you for sharing your story and to Franco for his superb acting in the recreation during the movie. This showed you as a person of extreme courage, strength, character, and determination and left me realizing that these are characteristics available to everyone who wants to cultivate them. I felt inspired and so appreciative of my life. Surprised at the depth of emotion I felt and how shaken I was. God bless you and your family - so happy you made it!
Flag ThisI read the book and just saw the movie... some of the movie, I think, was actual film when he filmed himself for his family. Watch the parts where there is two pictures... I am under the impression that one may have been the actual film at the time and the other is the directors cut!.unbelievable...and a credit to Aron Ralston for giving us all a little bit of human courage to do whatever it takes, even though most probably would have panicked!
Flag ThisDespite the courage, inspiration, toughness, and even the well written article.... The guy still neglected two of the most basic rules of outdoor survival: 1. NEVER DO DANGEROUS THINGS ALONE IN THE WILD 2. ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE WHERE AND WHEN YOU WILL BE IN THE WILD Every story on this guy should be prefaced with this information. The real story should be how he made two basic fundamental ERRORS, and then made a miraculous recovery from them. Please stop glorifying this guy, he is
Flag ThisDespite the courage, inspiration, toughness, and even the well written article.... The guy still neglected two of the most basic rules of outdoor survival: 1. NEVER DO DANGEROUS THINGS ALONE IN THE WILD 2. ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE WHERE AND WHEN YOU WILL BE IN THE WILD Every story on this guy should be prefaced with this information. The real story should be how he made two basic fundamental ERRORS, and then made a miraculous recovery from them. Please stop glorifying this guy, he is
Flag ThisDespite the courage, inspiration, toughness, and even the well written article.... The guy still neglected two of the most basic rules of outdoor survival: 1. NEVER DO DANGEROUS THINGS ALONE IN THE WILD 2. ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE WHERE AND WHEN YOU WILL BE IN THE WILD Every story on this guy should be prefaced with this information. The real story should be how he made two basic fundamental ERRORS, and then made a miraculous recovery from them. Please stop glorifying this guy, he is
Flag ThisDear Johnny Utah, don't be such a butthead. The guy learned his lesson, grew a pair, and did what most people don't do. . . he changed his ways and remained himself. Think of all the other people who needed to hear this story so that they too would remember to at least leave a note. And it could have been worse, he could have given a name from Point Break instead of his real name, or something more original.
Flag ThisI read the book and look forward to seeing the movie. What amazes me is that some of these do-rights making comments, think that people don't make mistakes or get rapped up in themselves. Yes, Aron made mistakes; and did he learn from them? It sure sounds like it from where I sit. The fact that he has gone on to hike and climb again and inform as to what he is doing is proof he learned a lesson.
Flag ThisI read the book and look forward to seeing the movie. What amazes me is that some of these do-rights making comments, think that people don't make mistakes or get rapped up in themselves. Yes, Aron made mistakes; and did he learn from them? It sure sounds like it from where I sit. The fact that he has gone on to hike and climb again and inform as to what he is doing is proof he learned a lesson.
Flag ThisI read the book and look forward to seeing the movie. What amazes me is that some of these do-rights making comments, think that people don't make mistakes or get rapped up in themselves. Yes, Aron made mistakes; and did he learn from them? It sure sounds like it from where I sit. The fact that he has gone on to hike and climb again and inform as to what he is doing is proof he learned a lesson.
Flag ThisDear Name, If you would reread my original post you will find that I gave the courtesey of prefacing my comment with paise for Mr Ralstons preserverence. I just wish articles on or by Mr Ralston would give us all the same courtesey by prefacing clearly that he made not one but two basic errors instead of glossing over this very important fact. As for my handle, I bet you gave a chuckle when you saw it as you were reminded of corny lines and awesome sky diving shots. That was my intent.
Flag Thisman aron ralston had to have fath to cut off his arm
Flag ThisIt's a tremendous story and my nerves crawl every time I read it. Young Mr. Ralston made 2 bad decisions and it almost cost him his life. We can all agree on that. But Aron Ralston made many small choices that ultimately helped to save his life. He was physically fit, he was an experienced climber, he had a planned route, he had calculated the time this sojurn should take. In fact his keen sense of time enabled him to make many accurate calculations about his situation. Knife and water essential
Flag Thiswhen i first heard about this story i was watching the movie. Aron Ralston is a brave person, to be honest i couldnt do something like what he did. He is a man who taught people you can make miracles happen for youre self even if that means having only one hand.In his time of danger he didnt panic he kept trying and trying and trying , by the end he was half way gone and still managed to cut off his own hand and break free.and still to this day he is climbing rocks.! if that doesnt take courage i dont know what does.
Flag Thiswhen i first heard about this story i was watching the movie. Aron Ralston is a brave person, to be honest i couldnt do something like what he did. He is a man who taught people you can make miracles happen for youre self even if that means having only one hand.In his time of danger he didnt panic he kept trying and trying and trying , by the end he was half way gone and still managed to cut off his own hand and break free.and still to this day he is climbing rocks.! if that doesnt take courage i dont know what does.
Flag ThisLast sunday coming down from black lake ,Co , a man hiking down behind us said " Hi ",,not until later did this man turn out to be Aron, himself . This was my first time hiking , and I actually exchanged afternoon greetings and never had a clue who was really in those shoes.
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