Traped Climber Amputates Arm

Wolf Hopper · 05-03-2003, 09:31 AM

For the record, I never could have done this - I would have died out there.

Do climbers like this take radios with them - would that have helped - to call for help? Or, is it just impossible to get a signal out there?

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (May 2) - A climber who amputated his own arm with a pocketknife to free himself from a narrow, remote canyon in Utah was driven by a strong will to survive, a rescuer said Friday.

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 outsdoorsman 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.

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.

Craig S. · 05-03-2003, 09:55 AM

Steve, I'm with you in that I really believe I would have died out there, never having the wherewithal (or guts) to cut off my own arm.

From what I read and heard yesterday, Ralston was not only an experienced climber but also a person in incredible physical condition. But what impresses me most is that he had the ability to face the horror of what he had to do, and he did it. I'd bet the percentage of people who would do the same is incredibly low. And his matter-of-fact behavior afterwards - this guy sounds like someone out of a movie!

I have a feeling he'll manage pretty well with what's left of his arm, and he'll be out and active very soon. Good for him - I really admire anyone who handles things the way he did.

satchel · 05-03-2003, 10:25 AM

What amazes me the most about this story is that such an experienced climber would have been stupid enough to be out there alone.

If he had a climbing buddy, he'd have been rescued three days sooner, and probably still have his arm.

Craig S. · 05-03-2003, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by satchel
What amazes me the most about this story is that such an experienced climber would have been stupid enough to be out there alone.

Doesn't surprise me - I know guys who do this stuff, and they'll often go out on their own. I think they just never believe that something like this will happen. Maybe this story will make them think twice, but I doubt it.

Ytown Tribe fan · 05-05-2003, 04:32 PM

Certainly this climber knows he should have, at the very least, told someone where he was going and when he could be expected back.

According to the news, he routinely took just such precautions on his expeditions. This one he blew off because it was "no biggie" to him -- just a routine bike ride up and difficult climb back down through a tight canyon.

No contacts, no itinerary, no cell phone or radio. No hand.

He has to live with it, not us; we have to live with the TV movie made about him -- coming soon.

Skip · 05-05-2003, 04:41 PM

Ignoring the stupidity issue, let me add a weird thought.

I think, if it had been my lower arm (as it was) or leg, I could have cut it off. I really do. But, if it had been my upper arm or leg, I would have had much more trouble reaching that decision, and likely couldnt have done it. I'm not sure why ... but that is what my gut tells me. Anyone else, or am I the solo weirdo on this?

Ytown Tribe fan · 05-05-2003, 06:50 PM

Well, it's a matter of not bleeding to death. If you have to cut it off too high, there's no room for a tourniquet and you're dead anyway.

Also a matter of leverage. If his entire arm had been pinned, he likely wouldn't be able to do much with the rest of his body. Can you imagine trying to saw through your shoulder or just below your hip?

gyb13 · 05-06-2003, 04:42 PM

this is painful just to read

KCBOOMER · 05-06-2003, 05:12 PM

This guy has cojones the size of basketballs and a pea sized brain.

Craig S. · 05-06-2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skip
I think, if it had been my lower arm (as it was) or leg, I could have cut it off. I really do. But, if it had been my upper arm or leg, I would have had much more trouble reaching that decision, and likely couldnt have done it. I'm not sure why ... but that is what my gut tells me. Anyone else, or am I the solo weirdo on this?

I think I get what you're saying, although I don't know that I could do either. I think I'd just use my cell phone. Failing that, I'd ready myself for eventual death.

satchel · 05-06-2003, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
This guy has cojones the size of basketballs and a pea sized brain.

well and succinctly put. I hope I am never a victim of such a lack of common sense, but if you have to be, best to have what it takes to extract yourself.

WiredTigress · 05-07-2003, 10:24 AM

Reading more about his experience, I don't like the fact he didn't lay out where he was headed to with anyone. His parents and boss had to hack into his work email to try to find out where he could be after his boss phoned his emergency contacts he hadn't shown up to work. The only way they theorized where he could be was through his credit card transaction in Moab, Utah. That is not smart in my opinion.

Yet, I have trouble pulling a nasty hangnail - let alone try to think about cutting my own arm off!

05-03-2003, 09:31 AM	#1
Wolf Hopper NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 6,191	Traped Climber Amputates Arm For the record, I never could have done this - I would have died out there. Do climbers like this take radios with them - would that have helped - to call for help? Or, is it just impossible to get a signal out there? GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (May 2) - A climber who amputated his own arm with a pocketknife to free himself from a narrow, remote canyon in Utah was driven by a strong will to survive, a rescuer said Friday. 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 outsdoorsman 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. 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. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator POSTING TIP FOR THE DAY: When composing a post, think about what you would say if the intended recipient was an individual who was actually sitting just two feet in front of you, in person, rather than just some far away and anonymous audience who only can identify you as text on a PC screen - - and then write your post in that manner. It makes for remarkable and sincere discourse.

05-03-2003, 10:25 AM	#3
satchel NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,601	What amazes me the most about this story is that such an experienced climber would have been stupid enough to be out there alone. If he had a climbing buddy, he'd have been rescued three days sooner, and probably still have his arm. __________________ Rare mold, old vomit - An anagram rejected by Tom Riddle

05-06-2003, 04:42 PM	#8
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	this is painful just to read __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

05-06-2003, 05:12 PM	#9
KCBOOMER NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Home of the T-Bones Posts: 11,116	This guy has cojones the size of basketballs and a pea sized brain. __________________ KCBOOMER *Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of Baseball*

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05-03-2003, 09:55 AM	#2
Craig S. Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,330	Steve, I'm with you in that I really believe I would have died out there, never having the wherewithal (or guts) to cut off my own arm. From what I read and heard yesterday, Ralston was not only an experienced climber but also a person in incredible physical condition. But what impresses me most is that he had the ability to face the horror of what he had to do, and he did it. I'd bet the percentage of people who would do the same is incredibly low. And his matter-of-fact behavior afterwards - this guy sounds like someone out of a movie! I have a feeling he'll manage pretty well with what's left of his arm, and he'll be out and active very soon. Good for him - I really admire anyone who handles things the way he did.

05-05-2003, 04:32 PM	#5
Ytown Tribe fan Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Scrappers territory Posts: 2,515	Certainly this climber knows he should have, at the very least, told someone where he was going and when he could be expected back. According to the news, he routinely took just such precautions on his expeditions. This one he blew off because it was "no biggie" to him -- just a routine bike ride up and difficult climb back down through a tight canyon. No contacts, no itinerary, no cell phone or radio. No hand. He has to live with it, not us; we have to live with the TV movie made about him -- coming soon.

05-05-2003, 04:41 PM	#6
Skip NetShrine Vagabond Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 7,866	Ignoring the stupidity issue, let me add a weird thought. I think, if it had been my lower arm (as it was) or leg, I could have cut it off. I really do. But, if it had been my upper arm or leg, I would have had much more trouble reaching that decision, and likely couldnt have done it. I'm not sure why ... but that is what my gut tells me. Anyone else, or am I the solo weirdo on this?

05-05-2003, 06:50 PM	#7
Ytown Tribe fan Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Scrappers territory Posts: 2,515	Well, it's a matter of not bleeding to death. If you have to cut it off too high, there's no room for a tourniquet and you're dead anyway. Also a matter of leverage. If his entire arm had been pinned, he likely wouldn't be able to do much with the rest of his body. Can you imagine trying to saw through your shoulder or just below your hip?

05-07-2003, 10:24 AM	#12
WiredTigress Guest Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Motown Posts: 169	Reading more about his experience, I don't like the fact he didn't lay out where he was headed to with anyone. His parents and boss had to hack into his work email to try to find out where he could be after his boss phoned his emergency contacts he hadn't shown up to work. The only way they theorized where he could be was through his credit card transaction in Moab, Utah. That is not smart in my opinion. Yet, I have trouble pulling a nasty hangnail - let alone try to think about cutting my own arm off!

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