Dustin_B Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 I haven't had time to look, so I'm sorry if someone has already posted a link to this. to this guy Ouch Here is the text: Climber amputates arm to free self GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado, May 3 -- A climber who amputated his own arm with a pocketknife to free himself from a narrow, remote canyon in Utah was described as a "warrior"; with a strong will to survive as he recovered at a hospital. ARON RALSTON, 27, was hospitalized in serious condition Friday after his six-day ordeal in Blue John Canyon near Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The experienced outdoorsman would have died if he had stayed in the canyon, pinned by an 800- to 1,000-pound boulder that had shifted onto his right arm, said Sheriff's Department Sgt. Mitch Vetere. "He said that was the only way out," said Vetere, who helped rescue Ralston. "He had a will to live." In a statement, Donna Ralston said her son survived because of his strong physical and mental condition. "He was able to rationally consider alternatives relative to his situation," she said. "His spirits are high and he anxiously looks forward to returning to his love of the outdoors." Officials at St. Mary's Hospital said Ralston was expected to recover. EXPEDITIONS INSPIRE AWE Friends say Ralston's expeditions have been known to inspire awe. He has climbed 49 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks and was preparing for an ascent of Alaska's Mount McKinley. "To be honest, sometimes we get pretty scared with some of the things he's doing"; said Brion After, manager of the Ute Mountaineering store in Aspen, where Ralston works. Ralston began what was to be a day hike April 26. He was canyoneering, where a hiker uses rock-climbing gear to negotiate narrow canyons. He pushed his arm into a crack in the canyon wall and the boulder shifted, pinning him, said Steve Swanke of Canyonlands National Park. He tried to use his ropes and anchors to free himself, but couldn't. On Tuesday, Ralston ran out of water. By Thursday, he decided he had no choice but to use his pocketknife to amputate his arm just below the right elbow, officials said. He applied a tourniquet and administered first aid before rappelling 60 feet to the canyon floor, where he began walking. He encountered two tourists and was about two miles from his car when a rescue helicopter spotted him, still bleeding, officials said. Rescuers began searching for Ralston on Tuesday after friends called police when he didn't show up for work. During the chopper flight to a hospital in nearby Moab, Utah, Ralston was clearly tired but asked only for water, Vetere said. He climbed out of the helicopter and walked to the emergency room, his bandaged arm in a makeshift sling. Ralston matter-of-factly explained what had happened and that he had lost a lot of blood, Swanke said. He later was transferred to the hospital in Grand Junction. "Aron Ralston is a warrior," Swanke said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlpineK Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 Yep, it's been posted a couple times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_White Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 It occurs to me, if you're going out alone, its not a bad idea to tell someone where you plan to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 or at least carry something more substantial than a pocket knife. perhaps a coping saw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_White Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 Yeah, a bone saw to go with Norman Clyde's spinal needle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 So, has everyone else been getting the business (like I have) from friends/relatives/armchair experts that don't climb, upon their reading the story about Aron? "It's so dangerous." No, it isn't. There are ways to limit the risk. "Why do leave your cell phone in the car? You never keep it with you, and it's so easy to call for help." There's never good service where I go, so it's pointless to carry it. "We never know where you are or where you go." I always tell you the area, and when I'll be back. I even sometimes write down coordinates so that if I don't come back, at least SAR knows where to begin looking. Just curious about what the rest of you cc.com'ers have been hearing from your circle. ...sobo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apus_story.asp?category=1110&slug=Climber%20Amputation Monday, May 5, 2003 · Last updated 6:49 a.m. PT Rangers Find Arm That Climber Amputated THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, Utah -- Thirteen park rangers lugged equipment into this southeastern Utah park and lifted an 800-pound boulder that had trapped a mountain climber until he amputated his arm with a pocketknife. After hiking 3 miles to the remote canyon Sunday, the crew was able to lift the egg-shaped boulder and push it into a space where it fit securely. The rangers also recovered the arm of Aron Ralston, who was pinned for five nights before cutting off his arm below the elbow with a pocketknife on Thursday. Ralston, 27, hiked out of the canyon for help and remained hospitalized in fair condition in Grand Junction, Colo. He was to undergo surgery Monday to close the wound in preparation for a prosthetic arm. His parents say his spirits remain high. On Sunday, the rangers slung the chalkstone rock with 2-inch webbing and moved it up about 1 1/2 feet until they found a spot where it could fit, said river ranger Steve Young. A grip hoist, a type of strong winch that uses half-inch steel cable, was used to pull the boulder up. Hydraulic jacks were placed on top of wooden cribbing on the floor of the narrow canyon. The jacks were used to push the boulder up and keep it from getting caught on the craggy canyon wall. The rock apparently had fallen about 2 feet when it trapped Ralston, Young said. The lower portion of Ralston's right arm was recovered Sunday and taken to a mortuary, said Young, who helped move the boulder. It took about two hours to lift the rock and push it into a new spot. It is still possible the boulder will move again, Young said. The narrow canyon is prone to flash flooding whenever it rains, and the water could sweep it away. Sunday was the second time rangers attempted to recover the arm; a previous attempt on Friday was unsuccessful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_White Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 Damn, they ruined a perfectly good tourist attraction. Just think of all the folks who would have flocked to the region to witness the trapped severed arm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapertimmy Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 When i saw the title of this thread, i thought it was about Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_White Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted May 5, 2003 Share Posted May 5, 2003 he could've eaten his arm if he was that hungry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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