Summary
Aron Ralston is taking what he considers an "easy" hike in Blue John Canyon when a boulder slips and traps his right hand against the wall of a slot canyon. Over the next six days, he lives in the guilt of not telling anyone where he was going, forcing him to rescue himself. He carefully examines his four options: wait for rescue, chisel the boulder away, lift the boulder using ropes, or amputate his own arm--all seemingly impossible. All attempts repeatedly fail. He is extremely secluded, the boulder is too hard, the boulder has too much friction, and he can't saw through his arm bones with a dull, cheap multi-tool knife. With dwindling food and water, Aron is forced to drink his own urine. He also suffers the risk of hypothermia every night and the chance of a flash flood. He gives his last will through his video camera to all his friends and family.
When all hope is gone, Aron finally realizes the solution to his problem: break his arm bones using torque. So, he musters is weak self and twists and turn enough, breaking both bones in his arm. He then pulls out his two-inch knife and begins the procedure. Half-way through he applies a tourniquet to stop any bleeding. He twists and tears through his tendons with pliers and plucks a nerve, sending searing pain up into his shoulder. A few more minutes of cutting and Aron is free. He covers his stump, gathers his remaining necessities, and continues down the slot canyon. He rappels down a final drop, drinks scant water from a small pool, and continues. A family foreign family finds him and helps him move forward until a rescue helicopter finds him, saving his life.
When all hope is gone, Aron finally realizes the solution to his problem: break his arm bones using torque. So, he musters is weak self and twists and turn enough, breaking both bones in his arm. He then pulls out his two-inch knife and begins the procedure. Half-way through he applies a tourniquet to stop any bleeding. He twists and tears through his tendons with pliers and plucks a nerve, sending searing pain up into his shoulder. A few more minutes of cutting and Aron is free. He covers his stump, gathers his remaining necessities, and continues down the slot canyon. He rappels down a final drop, drinks scant water from a small pool, and continues. A family foreign family finds him and helps him move forward until a rescue helicopter finds him, saving his life.
Quote“This tragedy inspired me to test myself. I wanted to reveal to myself who I was: the kind of person who died, or the kind of person who overcame circumstances to help himself and others”(74).
“I haven't put on my tourniquet yet, but I'm like a five-year-old unleashed on his Christmas presents--now that I've started, there's no putting the brakes on”(282). |
Essay
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