A.READING - Aron Ralston’s True Story

In April 2003, climber Aron Ralston entered Utah’s Bluejohn Canyon. He became trapped when an 800-pound (360-kilogram) boulder shifted, crushed his hand, and pinned him to the canyon wall. For six days, Ralston struggled to free himself while warding off dehydration and hypothermia. Trapped and facing certain death, Ralston chose a final option that later made him an international sensation: using a multitool, the climber amputated his right hand, then abseiled to freedom. His incredible story was made into a movie called 127 Hours. The movie was released in the U.S. in 2010.

Ralston has written a book about his experience, Between a Rock and a Hard Place (Atria Books). National Geographic Adventure recently spoke with Ralston about his accident and lifesaving act.

M.B. The answer seems obvious, but did cutting off your own hand hurt much? 

A.R. Well, I didn’t have any sensation in my right hand from the time of the accident onward. However, I did feel pain coming from the area where the boulder rested on my wrist. When I amputated, I felt every bit of it. It hurt to break the bone, and it certainly hurt to cut the nerve. But cutting the muscle was not as bad. Overall, it was a hundred times worse than any pain I’ve felt before. It changed what I understood of pain. At the same time, it was also the most beautiful thing I’ve ever felt.

 

Adapted from an interview with Aron Ralston by Michael Benoist