Between a Rock and a Hard Place
A mountain climber who amputated his lower right arm with a dull knife in order to free himself from a boulder after an accident in 2003 will discuss his experience on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. in Bowers Auditorium at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.
Aron Ralston, who documented his ordeal in the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, will discuss the accident and what it taught him about leadership. His talk is free and open to the public.
During a day hike in Blue John Canyon near Moab, Utah, an 800-pound boulder pinned Ralston’s right forearm to the canyon wall, crushing it. A rescue was unlikely because he had neglected to inform anyone of his whereabouts. After five days of trying to lift and break the boulder, a dehydrated and delirious Ralston bowed his arm and snapped the radius and ulna bones. Using the dull blade on a multi-use tool, he cut the soft tissue around the break. He then used the tool’s pliers to tear at the tougher tendons.
After applying a tourniquet, Ralston rappelled 75 feet to freedom. After he was rescued, his arm was retrieved by park authorities and removed from under the boulder. It was cremated and given to Ralston, who returned to the boulder and left the ashes there.
Ralston grew up in Colorado and graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University in 1997 with a double major in mechanical engineering and French. He moved to Aspen in 2002 to climb all of Colorado’s “14ers” -- 59 peaks that exceed 14,000 feet. After the accident, he reached his goal. Ralston, who wears a prosthetic arm, has continued to climb, is a professional speaker and has started a conservation organization in Colorado and Utah.
Ralston will autograph copies of his book after the talk, which is sponsored by the student groups, WESTIES and 100% Club. For more information, contact Angie Rutherford, 208-691-0267.
During a day hike in Blue John Canyon near Moab, Utah, an 800-pound boulder pinned Ralston’s right forearm to the canyon wall, crushing it. A rescue was unlikely because he had neglected to inform anyone of his whereabouts. After five days of trying to lift and break the boulder, a dehydrated and delirious Ralston bowed his arm and snapped the radius and ulna bones. Using the dull blade on a multi-use tool, he cut the soft tissue around the break. He then used the tool’s pliers to tear at the tougher tendons.
After applying a tourniquet, Ralston rappelled 75 feet to freedom. After he was rescued, his arm was retrieved by park authorities and removed from under the boulder. It was cremated and given to Ralston, who returned to the boulder and left the ashes there.
Ralston grew up in Colorado and graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University in 1997 with a double major in mechanical engineering and French. He moved to Aspen in 2002 to climb all of Colorado’s “14ers” -- 59 peaks that exceed 14,000 feet. After the accident, he reached his goal. Ralston, who wears a prosthetic arm, has continued to climb, is a professional speaker and has started a conservation organization in Colorado and Utah.
Ralston will autograph copies of his book after the talk, which is sponsored by the student groups, WESTIES and 100% Club. For more information, contact Angie Rutherford, 208-691-0267.
