Come to Book Passage this Saturday at 6pm, and you will hear Aron Ralston speak about how this twenty-seven year-old outdoorsman spent five days trapped on a canyon wall, by himself, and survived, but, in order to do so, was forced to amputate his own arm.
On April 26, 2003, Ralston set off for a simple hike in the Utah canyons. When a boulder shifted and snared his right arm, he became trapped in a three-foot-wide slot against a canyon wall.
For more than five days he faced hypothermia at night, dehydration and hallucinations by day.
He recorded his experience on a video recorder along with farewells to his family, and then used those recordings to write his book. Included in this tale is the painful decision he needed to make in order to increase his chances of survival.
By breaking and then amputating his own own arm with his pocket knife, he was able to free himself from the canyon and then hike to safety.
His 2003 this rock-climber's story became worldwide news.
Ralston has written a day-by-day account of his accident, self-amputation, rescue, and recovery called Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
In his book, Ralston writes:
I always thought who I was, was very much wrapped up with what I did. That I was happy because of the things that I did that made me happy. If things you do make you happy, then they can also make you unhappy.
I think that's why I found myself being ambitious and energetic -- to do all the outings that I did.
In retrospect, I've learned a lot. One of the things I'm learning here is that I didn't enjoy the people's company that I was with enough, or as much as I could have. A lot of really good people have spent a lot of time with me. Very often I would tend to ignore or diminish their presence in seeking the essence of the experience. All that's to say, ''I'm figuring some things out..."
If I can live each day with only a fraction of the joy of that moment of freedom, if I can get just the teeniest bit of that euphoria into each day, then I'll be happy," he said, adding, "I owe an unpayable debt to the wilderness for the balance of my life for my spiritual growth."
Today, Ralston climbs, bikes, skis and kayaks.
On the outside, he only has one arm, but on the inside he has a deeper, richer soul, and a story to tell that will inspire those who need a little or a lot of courage.
Book Passage is located:
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.927.0960
(from San Francisco take the Paradise Drive / Tamalpais Drive exit)
Come meet this heroic adventurer and go home with a signed copy of his book for $26.
Or order two unsigned books for $31.20 through Amazon and get free shipping.
If you have a child who leaves the house without telling you where he or she is going, give them this book, which is currently #8 on The New York Times Non-Fiction Best Seller List.
For all the adventurers in your life, those recovering from surgery, or difficult challenges in life, consider giving Ralston's deep, profound story to them as a holiday gift this season.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and out-on-a-limb living!
~ Jennifer King
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