Aron Ralston update
From scrambling accident to beer commercials, the LA Times has an article updating Aron Ralston.
Three years ago, Ralston was just another outdoor adrenaline junkie, attempting to be the first person to solo climb all 59 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot-plus peaks in winter. During a break from his quest, he ventured into a Utah canyon where an 800-pound boulder rolled onto his right hand, pinning him for six days until he freed himself by severing his arm with a pocketknife. Within a year, he returned to the Colorado Rockies to finish his climbing quest.
Ralston’s outrageous act of nerve has since made him a bestselling author, a beer pitchman, an eco celebrity and a motivational speaker in high demand by corporate America. At 30 years of age, he is one of the nation’s best-known mountaineers. But in the mountain-climbing community, he is the foolhardy adventurer who nearly died after committing the cardinal sin of hiking into the outdoors without leaving word on his whereabouts.
UPDATE: Although this was a rather short post on my part, the comments have taken off and provide a great conversation on this story. Keep reading below for an interesting commentary on Aron Ralston’s story.
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Comments
83 Responses to “Aron Ralston update”
Cardinal sin my ass! Nearly every climber and outdoor athlete I know has put himself in a not dissimilar position more than once. the truth is that every time we leave the car to head to a real live cliff we face risks just like nearly killed Aaron–a rock pinning us to the ground. We’ll be lucky if it only crushes our arm. Climbers are killed by loose rocks every year. He did what he had to do, he survived to tell the tale. Would you? (That’s the general you, Tom, not the you, you. hehe)
Yes a cardinal sin. Totally. He didn’t have the courage and maturity to tell someone where he was going, not even a note. Most cowardly immature climbers don’t to this because they think it makes them look weak.
Too bad Aron Ralston has promoted his fiasco, advertised it, profited from it, and on and on. Sign he lacks humility. Profiting from an injury caused by stupidity? LOL. Only in America.
Hmm, interesting thoughts from both of you… I’m inclined to agree with Will except for the cardinal sin part. As climbers, we all do put ourselves into controlled, risky situations and that’s obviously part of the enjoyment. But, even through we often don’t leave better notifications when we venture out solo, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.
Aron was placed in a situation that any one of us could have encountered. He then managed to extricate himself from the situation and survive. If he can then profit from the situation, good luck to him. I have no problem with it whatsoever.
I just keep wondering if I could have cut my arm off without butchering it and bleeding to death… whatever you think, it was a bold move.
regardless of whether or not he told people where he was - the situation still happened to him and probably would have had the same outcome - loss of his arm - maybe they would have found him sooner and spared him of some of the other agony. the poor guy went through a lot - and to discount that because of one bad decision he made is insensitive. he is truly lucky to be alive. at least now he is trying to do some good by sharing his story - and make a few bucks - heck, asssssspen is expensive.
I’m all for leaving better notification. Still, it’s beyond glib to characterize his book and publicity as “profiting off his stupidity”. The bottom line: A smaller mistake than everyone reading this has probably made, created a life or death situation. Leigh’s point that notification may not have changed the outcome is important–you depend on yourself to survive, no one else.
He accepted that reality, and then had the cajones to cut off his own limb–I don’t know about you, but I’m interested in what he has to say.
“Only in America”…funny. I thought quite a bit of the same, but in a positive sense. After all, being able to bounce up after a fiasco, thanks to this fiasco, can be seen as an american value : whatever happens, you can get another chance…you’re listened to because of your experience, if you have the will to use it positively…
Of course, i’m a bit caricaturing.
(oh, and I’m french…;)
I just finished reading Aron’s book 30 minutes ago. I’ve been there a few times myself in the last 33 yrs of wilderness adventures. Aron is no different than any one else who profits off of tragedy. Like “into thin air” by Jon Krakauer, who made a bundle of money off his and others Mt Everest 06 disaster. The one thing I can say about Aron, that he is sharing in a positve way what he learned from is awefull ordeal. Hopefully that may prevent another person from doing the same thing.I also feel that the general public wants to hear the stories, the gore and we lust for it , we have created that in our society, so he wrote his story for us, and made some bucks
“Most cowardly immature climbers don’t to (sic) this (climb without telling someone where they are) because they think it makes them look weak.” It does make them look weak. The mentally strong, the people who should be admired in the mountaineering community can do things that most of society is too weak to attempt. Hence, you judging him for climbing alone or not telling someone where he was going is irrelevant, because he is stronger than you can ever conceive yourself being. Many mountaineers do things that many people consider “stupid,” but that is only because most of society is limited by their inferiority mentally or physically compared to those mountaineers operating at the edge of what is humanly possible. Additionally, I guarantee that his arm would have been necrosed after no blood flow for several hours, so even if someone was there, it makes no difference and he loses the arm. I don’t recommend going anywhere alone or without telling someone if they are mentally or physically weak, but if you know that you can survive anything, then go out and do what you want and fuck the cowards who criticize you.
I agree with Greg. I only recently finished his book. I listened to it on tape and to hear him read it was intense. Bottom line, he made a mistake, something that all of us have done. It would not have mattered much to the outcome if he had told someone or not. His story is amazing, inspiring, and needs to be told. If it reaches someone, sparks some type of positive response in them then I think thats great. It is also HIS story, and what he does with it is his own buisness. It amazes me that people feel they have the right to judge. Its so very easy to do so from the comfortable perch of a leather office chair swivling behing a computer screen in a climate controled room. It’s also really easy to play the “if only” game…if only he hadn’t have gone, if only he hadn’t have chose that canyon….it’s still not our place to make any judgement on what happened. The old adage of not knowing a man until you walk a mile in his shoes is applicable here. No one knows what they would be capable of doing, or dealing with if faced with a similar situation. Just think, if tomorrow you went on some type of adventure and something happened that put you in a similar situation, and then the whole world saw the story and took it upon themselves to pick apart every decision and action of that day…what would they find? Perfection, and 20/20 foresight….LOL I think not! “Only in America” does every person think they have some kind of ownership in a story about a person they see in the news or on TV.
I also found it astonishing that people who’s job it is to make rescues were complaining, and sighting how much money, and time it took to start a search and rescue him. What the heck! Since when do we decide to save someone in need on the basis of how much it costs, and how much time it took. They interviewed several rescue experts who sited what a terrible guy Aron was because he put the rescuers in danger. I’m sure if he had his choice it would have never happened. If you rescue people you know the risk, thats part of the job.
Any way that’s my two cents…and it’s worth about that…I think Aron has something that most people don’t, and in this world of “survivor” TV shows, and reality TV, it’s rare to find a TRUE survivor and worth appreciating.
I haven’t read the book yet but I will have a look. Interesting thoughts from both sides…
Is there also a TV special out on this?
DSD
“Summit-Stones” at Blogger.com
Yeah, good point DSD. Where is the made-for-TV movie on this?
I just finished reading the book, a gift I gave to someone, and a gift a received also. I wanted to read the book because of the headlining story. Aron (is that pronounced like Aaron?) has amazing analytical ability. Incredible self-discipline. But I kept waiting for the human heart and soul. The book reveals his Mother’s tenderness, allowing his reactions and small indications of some emotion toward another person that is not connected to some breath-taking climb But other than that, it is all about where he has been and who was with him. I understand the remarks in the book from other climbers, who when he tells of his adventures, they are not excited because they also pick up the superficiality of his stories. At one point in the book I even wondered if it was not a contrived accident. When I read the part where he gets antibiotics by IV at home, I thought of my son when he had leukemia and we did the home IV routine so often that it became ordinary, but I don’t read in Aron’s book an expression of insight to other’s ordeals, ordeals that are “true” fate. In the follow-up at the end of the book it is just more about more physical prowess, more solo-ing. I question a person who “has no regrets” when he set into action so many regrettable things. You can have regrets and still be positive and learn lessons. Learning a lesson does not equal no regrets. By the end of the book the lesson he shares is the same one he thought he acted on when he left his corporate job. In the book in the middle of his ordeal he honors his sister for doing something more with her life than he has, and yet when he survives he keeps on doing the same things he was doing before his remarkable survival. I am awed by his ability to make it out and awed by his self centered activities throughout his life. Early in the book he makes a comment about how much leisure time Americans have, I thought the next sentence would be about how he could not have done so much hiking, climbing, skiing… without that leisure time luxury. But instead of looking at himself, he directs it to tv watchers. I hope his vision of having his own child comes to reality, the efforts and lessons available from being married and raising and loving a child may be the ones that will truly lead him to finding deeper meaning, and a contentment that is not settling for less but finally knowing that to live your dreams you must KNOW your dreams.
Robyn, thanks for posting your insights into this story.
The negative comments about Aron going off alone without telling anyone offer a fascinating look into the human tendency to want to “own” and judge other human’s personal actions. (thanks to Kim for the great insight about “ownership”).
I think a lot of it comes from fear of pain, death and the unknown. people actualy feel somehow offended that someone would tke his life knowingly into his own hands and not tell mommy before he goes out to play!
Eventually, all of us have to face the great unknown, death, and that’s why people are shocked and offended when someone takes a risk and doesn’t follow the patriarchal, unwritten rules.
But adults own their own lives and are free to face life and death as their hearts tell them.
I’m not sure about the owning and the judgement, why not caring and using foresight from experience. “take his life into his own hands and not tell mommy…” or risk needlessly causing pain to those who love him. I don’t mean to say he cannot take risk, but the small effort of telling where he was headed in order to afford his family and friends at least that much help, reduces the pain they have when he doesn’t return on time. I am not sure what is “patriarchal and unwritten” It is caring and kind to consider the people who love you before you take off or change plans i.e. note on the windshield. “free to face life and death as their hearts tell them.” I have yet to know or hear of a human whose HEART doesn’t want the people who love them to be cared for.
I have had a few more thoughts about his life as he told it in his book; Because he was going to constantly be in high risk situations, even though they are of his own seeking, he needed that level of experience when it came to this event, his self centered lifestyle, in a way, saved his physical life and enhanced his spirit. And that is what matters, even if Aron never finds more to life than wowing people with his heart pounding climbs and adventures, it is enough. He is still alive and I wouldn’t want the alternative, he is awesome. Thank Goodness he made it out and was able to share that with us.
I’m just in the proccess of reading the Ralston book and i am simply inspired by his story. to the guy who was complaining about the amount of money Aron has made out of this then put yourself in his shoes; would you not want something posetive to come out of a horrific experience??? i know i would!
Does he not recognize himself that he broke the cardinal rule? Of course he does and clearly expresses his frustration for having done so. All this banter about weather he is cowardly or courageous is moot. Superficial and egotistical or not, we can all be sure he cursed himself just as hard as we would do so for having ignored this rule.
Criticizing him for a mistake he is well aware of will get us no where and is in the end redundant. We can, and probably will, proceed to call him every name in the book but I am sure they are all names he has already called himself. I do however agree with Robyn in regards to his ability to reflect and hopefully extract a “deeper meaning” than simply learning a valuable lesson. I truly believe there are a lot of experienced adrenaline junkies out there who may have learned something from this too. So it’s positive outcome will always outweigh the negative.
Just finished reading Aron’s book. I’ve been in that canyon before myself, and I question whether I would have the strength to survive such an ordeal. He acknowledges his mistake and has written what really is a motivational book. I’m thrilled this hasn’t kept him from all the adventures that await people in the world. I will always make sure to leave word of my whereabouts with a few people, since I know in the past I didn’t always do so. Doesn’t bother me at all that he profitted from it.
I just finished Mr. Ralston’s book and I must confess, I marveled at his determination and will to survive. I doubt that I could have done the same. Then again, I hope that I never have to, and take the necessary steps to ensure that I don’t. Mr. Ralston’s story is a compelling one, but in the end, it’s just another example of someone with more balls than brains. Mr. Ralston didn’t even have a windbreaker in his backpack, but he managed to pack his CD player, CDs, a video camera, and a digital camera. Not one piece of safety / survival equipment for a long solo hike through canyons and the desert, where a simple slip and fall can have dire consequences. Every guide book and outdoor organization has a simple hiker’s checklist. Mr. Ralston writes in his book that he had previously worked as a paid guide. Note to self: never sign up for a trip guided by Aron Ralston.
I live in New England, and even on a short hike in good weather my pack contains these essentials as recommend by N.H. Fish and Game:
For Summer Day Hikes:
The Ten Essentials:
1. Map
2. Compass
3. Warm Clothing
4. Extra Food and Water
5. Flashlight or Headlamp
6. Matches/Fire starters
7. First Aid Kit/Repair Kit
8. Whistle
9. Rain/Wind Jacket and Pants
10. Pocket Knife
I also always take a small signal mirror and a 2-way radio. (I can never understand why more hikers don’t carry radios). These additional items in total (Aron did have a map, compass, and knife) weigh less than the five pounds of useless junk Aron was hauling and are permanent fixtures in my pack.
Aron is fortunate to have suffered an upper body injury that produced little blood loss. Had he injured either of his legs, there is a much greater chance he would have perished. Yes, given his resolve and obvious physical strength he likely would have dragged his body out of the canyon, but once exposed to the desert sun and he would have dehydrated much more quickly than in the shady canyon.
Every year unprepared hikers get lost or stranded in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and N.H. Fish and Game need to drag their dumb asses off a mountain. Now Fish and Game charges reckless hikers:
Notice: In New Hampshire, if you or anyone in your hiking group acts recklessly — or fails to practice proper preparation as outlined by the hiker responsibility code — resulting in Search and Rescue, you could be liable to pay the costs of your search and rescue mission.
But these are usually inexperienced hikers, not seasoned veterans like Mr. Ralston, whose sole written regret seems to be not leaving his itinerary. Well, at least he got his CD player back. To bad about the Phish CDs…
I wondr, for all you people who are putting Aron down; how many of you would be able to saw off your own arm? Even if the situation was your own fault, could you do it? Maybe ask yourself that question first.
I watched the NBC special sometime ago and bought the book for my husband as a gift. I never could understand why he did not finish it. It took me a while to read it myself as I found the show to be gut wrenching; (the book is actually less so). I just finished it this morning.
I will not put Aron down as I believe merely surviving the five days took intestinal fortititude that I probably myself do not posess; cutting off his arm, well I am fairly certain that I would not be able to.
However when trying to find the words to say what else I feel about Aron, I think that Robyn and Hubb have put it succinctly. I am very interested in HOW he chooses to solo now; and is he still on that headlong flight into what, (contrary to his words), seems to be a deathwish?
Yes I do hike, backpack and rockclimb a bit, and I recently did my first solo backpack, a short weekend expedition, I’m almost 47 and have iffy knees at best, so I take extra precautions. I don’t leave without providing a detailed itinerary and map, even backup or changeup plans that I might use. I take both a radio and a cellphone. I carry every single one of those things listed on Hubb’s list, and a few others. I love my trips and alone time greatly, but I love and appreciate my family and friends more.
I’m late getting here…I KNOW I wouldn’t be able to saw off my own arm. Aaron was extremely brave and I think it’s awesome the way he has told his story.
I’m 54, female and hike several times a week.
Everyone needs to remember that these accidents can stike at anytime. I am a police officer in London, and have seen a small boy (with his family) get his leg trapped between a bridge he was sitting on and the wall, as the tide went out, the bridge lowered trapping him whilst he was watching the New Year celebrations. This child was forced to have his leg amputated with his parents there. He didn’t have much more than a MP3 player with him either…
The amputation for Aron was HIS choice, due to HIS own actions, for which he will have to deal with for his time…
This trail for Aron was nothing more strenuous than the planned trip for this child and his family… stop critising him for following his passion… there should be more people like Aron in the world.
I just finished the book.
LOVED the Book.
Find it hard to believe anyone wouldn’t.
The book isn’t about climbing- it’s about having the will to survive.
He’s hot. Is he into girls?
When I first heard about Aron’s ordeal, I , like most, was amazed to hear about what he had been through. We all wonder whether or not we could have cut off our arm in order to survive. I don’t know if it would have dawned on me that self amputation was an option. I met Aron shortly after his accident, as I am in the medical field, and quickly realized that his surviving was no fluke. Getting pinned by an 800 lb rock is a fluke. Aron was the most determined and focused person I had ever met. At the same time, he is also very personalble, down to earth, kind and considerate. There is no crime in returning to something that you are passionate about, even if you almost died doing it.
Oddly, even as a pagan, the two quotes that come to my mind are, “Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself,” and “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Everything happens–or doesn’t–for a reason. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. And Aron was right when he said in his book that he created the exact situation for himself. It was an experience he needed to have for his own spiritual growth. Just because his experience is different than others’ does not give us the right to judge him. Each of us is a current summation of every experience, conversation and idea we’ve had and every person we’ve come in contact with, which is what makes each of us unique and beautiful.
I wouldn’t go so far as saying everything happens for a reason, IT JUST HAPPENS… Aaron Ralston made a mistake, one I’ve made on a few occasions, and not suffered for thankfully. Having read his book I am going to make a far greater effort in future to leave word of my destination and plans. So good luck to him in making a living - by whatever means he has at his disposal!
I’m 2/3rds through Aron’s book and I have passed through the “just another adreneline-crazed yank” phase and am now into the 60+ hours section where the decision is about to be taken to sever the limb. In the last few pages I have come to admire Aron. Yes he was pretty stupid in breaking the Golden Rule - but “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
Who, of any of us, have never, ever done anything as stupid - casting round amongst my outdoor enthusiast friends, not one could claim to be “without sin”.
Aron paid a high price. Many others have paid the ultimate price.
This Brit says “well done Aron” - if you get rich on telling the story, it is because the story is worth telling and will enthuse others to stretch beyond what they imagined was possible - and, just maybe, to do so with just a little more planning and forethought.
The world needs more Arons.
I am 1/2 way through Aron’s book. I have wanted to read this book for nearly 2 years, ever since the article in Outside magazine. But, whenever I found it at a bookstore I didn’t have the money or visa versa, blah-blah-blah…..
My wife and kids bought it for me for my birthday last week. I just finished reading the chapter where Aron, Mark and Chadwick survived the avalanche. My feelings before I started reading the book were one’s of admiration for Mr. Ralston’s guts and determination to survive. At page 142 I am thinking the man is a total idiot !! Who knows, maybe I’ll have another opinion at page 284.
I will say I’ve learned one thing in the small amount of the book that I’ve read. In the past I’ve taken off on my own little adventures without telling anyone where I was headed. Nothing quite as dramatic as Aron’s treks. Only some bike riding, geocaching and moderate terrain hiking. But, I did slide 50 yards down a steep hillside one time. Fortunately, I was able to keep my feet under me or I would have tumbled a pretty good distance.
Never again will I head for the woods without calling my wife or leaving a note. As Aron has clearly shown, things can happen FAST !!
Aron is an incredibly special human being. I’ve gotten to know him these last few weeks, and I’m pretty sure I’m happier knowing him, than anyone who has posted here thus far. Think what you wish, but he is a strong man. I was a college football player, and have been hit very hard by future NFL players, and I don’t have near the will or fortitude as Aron… His writing is also very good, and should be inspirational to all..
Well, five days after my first post (two posts before this one) my opinion has indeed changed completely. I still think Aron did some foolish things at times, but I must say that his courage and will to live are unlike any story I’ve ever read. His ability to think rationally during the entire ordeal is astounding.
You’ve written a fascinating account of your ordeal, Aron. May God bless you in everything that you do !!
I fail to see what the controversy is here. It’s simply just an interesting story to me. Aron is not a person I have to decide to idolize or demonize. Most of these comments seem to reveal a judgmentalness in our culture that I think is in tself arrogant and worth condemning. People are free to live as they want to, and to make the choices they want to, and, I think, free from the criticism that others feel entitled to about them. This judgmental conceit reveals itself most in the way we judge a person who had done nothing to hurt anyone else; he’s only caused himself irreparable loss. He’s neither a martyr nor a saint. Get over this issue, people. I would rather spend my time around honest people who supply us with all the criticisms about them we can make, than with the rest of you whose sins are not open for debate and yet who take every opportunity to be the judge of everyone else.
As a psychotherapist,I was fascinated by Aron’s perceived acceptance of his decisions and ensuing consequences.His coping skills were amazing!The man rallied on day 6 of his ordeal,when he was basically “done.”Amazing.
Okay, so maybe he should have left a note with his itinerary, but he didn’t. The fact that he survived in spite of this ‘mistake’ should be lauded. I think anyone who is critical of how he behaved is really revealing more about themselves and their own character…who would really have the nerve to do what he did as opposed to just waiting for death to take them? I think most would have lost their minds and perished in a day or two, even those who consider themselves smart climbers.
I have a question for all the critics out there…how often do you walk out the front door without leaving a detailed note of your plans for every waking minute? What about the chances you are taking just getting behind the wheel of a car? Will your family care if you left a note if you flipped your car in a ditch and were missing for 6 days? No…they will care that you are found safe and sound.
While it might have been “immature” for Ralston to skip the note, he did display incredible strength and maturity in saving himself. I loved his book, I think he’s a great writer and I hope he keeps hiking, climbing and writing.
I agree. He was great and the fact that he survived is pretty amazing. He definetly should have left a note and i don’t think he is going to go off like that ever again and i just think he should be admired for those nerves of steel. Imagine your pinned down by a 360 kilogram rock and still have the courage and energy to cut your arm after almost 7 days out in the wilderness. I am an admirer and can’t wait until he releases his next book.
I just finished Aron’s book this week after hearing his story several years ago. As many have commented all of us who love the outdoors have been in dangerous situations like rock slides, avalanche danger and lightning however leaving an itinerary is just basic good sense. Still I was impressed with Aron’s mental fortitude to cope and figure out a plan to survive but was disappointed that he still didn’t seem to find purpose in his life beyond self-gratification. His friend was right, “It’s not about what you do but who you are”. Was the lesson learned?
I am not a mountaineer,or anything of that nature, but I am very committed to personal growth. I have just finished reading his book, and I have been telling every one I know about it. What is admirable, and inspiring, is not that he had the accident (and he berates his own stupidity, don’t you think, when he spent 6 days pinned there thinking he was gonna die because of it??)..
Hugh Grelan, you come across very badly in what you say… Anyone who is inhuman enough to castigate him for making a mistake, has so little compassion and understanding of what it is to be human (obviously has never experienced coming face-to-face with their own inner stuff)… so why would the rest of us even listen to you?
Get some life experience, grow your heart (and maybe that might mean being off the mountain, I don’t know, but I was absolutely stunned at this reaction)
Sorry, this is a bit disjointed, but I am outraged!
Read his book, plus seek to grow a little as a human…
What is admirable and inspiring (I started to say…) was that when most of us would have given up and despaired and felt it was hopeless, he kept on with an amazingly resilient, hopeful and positive attitude.
I think that he is a total HERO.. Not for getting into the mess (that makes him totally human and normal… Haven’t you ever made a mistake, Hugh? Is your life so perfect? Perfect job, perfect relationship with every one — including with self and universe/God? perfect money, perfect health, perfect everything? Get real !! You come across as so jealous, mate, it isn’t funny!!), but for keeping his wits about him through agonising pain, boredom, hunger, discofort etc… I bet that you wouldn’t have the inner fortitude or understanding/heart to do half so well, Hugh..
Anyway, about Aron — he is awesome.
I am not a mountaineer, but you don’t have to be to be completely inspired by Aron’s book. Nearly all of us have made decisions that had terrible consequences, but it is how we deal with those consequences that indicates the quality of our character. Somehow Aron’s book makes us want to reach for more in our own lives. In fact I have his book listed as one of my favorites on My Space. If you’re needing inspiration read Between a Rock and a Hardspace.